A Gift of Autumn Ease
Fall. My favorite time of the year. Here in the Pacific Northwest where we only get a few months of sun, many people really struggle with it. I get it! At the same time, while it is here can we open to the medicine that it offers? Can we allow our bodies to slow down and relax?
This season ushers in the gifts of rest and ease. Yet, society tells that when we allow for this space we are unproductive and therefore unworthy. This. Is. A. Lie. And it’s everywhere.
So in these conditions it is radical to allow ourselves (and others) the time and space to experience rest and ease – and it is necessary! Otherwise it will come for us when we least expect it and sometimes knocks us down.
Rest gives us a chance to integrate all of the beautiful and difficult things we have been learning. It allows us to heal parts that have been wounded or are tired. Slowing down into ease offers room to really marinate in what we have and where we are right now. This space is also an act against capitalism, to resist the endless and merciless grind culture (credit to @thenapministry).
The Shape and Depth of Rest
Rest or ease can look like many things. It can be cozying up with your favorite movie, show or book (these days I’m giving myself permission to indulge in that trash TV).. cuddling with loved ones/fur babies.. bathing in some Epson salt + oils.. sipping on delicious spiced tea.. bundling up and going for a walk with a close friend or spooky podcast.. it might also look like saying “no” to those plans because your body is not feeling it.. the list goes on! (Can you see why it might be my favorite season?)
It is also really sweet that the beginning of fall starts in Libra season, ruled by Venus. Here, we are invited to ask ourselves, what do we reeeally want? What are we feeling romantic for? By pausing, checking in with our bodies and seeing what lights them up or settles them, we can discover what is in alignment with our true desires and spirits. We can offer deep nourishment.
We can’t pretend it is easy to rest. It can be hard to slow down since it goes against everything we are conditioned to do. *And* we can unlearn that – by taking more time to intentionally pause. By breathing. By listening to the body.
Tips on Slowing Down
- Pause and take a breath.
- Check in with the body. How is it feeling in this moment? Notice any tension? (Try not to judge this, just notice)
- Breathe again, into the tense spaces and release them. (For example, imagine the shoulders expanding on the in-breath and softening on the out-breath)
- Do steps 1-3 a few times.
- Ask yourself, does the body lean into or away from whatever activity, place, person or idea I’m with in this moment?
- Proceed forward based on answer to question 5 and continue to check in with the body.
- Marinate in the moments you are called to lean into.
So there you have it folks! Hopefully these tips will help guide you into a cozy, healing fall season.
May we all have the space for this deep healing, attention, and settling.
Blessings,
Kat
