New Season… Same You!
I have a hard time with change (being a therapist does not make me immune to this!). I’ve come to learn that I’m not alone in this struggle.
As September and fall approach, I am seeing more university and college students experiencing anxiety about the school year and a sense of urgency to get back onto a regular sleep schedule. I see newlyweds transitioning out of summer mode and into busy seasons at work and at home. I see teachers transitioning from being at home for the summer to going back to school, and parents preparing their children for school as well.
As things get busier, I want to emphasize the importance of checking in with yourself.
What Are We Expecting of Ourselves?
Based on my own personal observations, I’ve noticed that new seasons often come with setting new routines, new goals, and new habits. While these new things can be exciting and motivating, they can also carry a lot of weight and pressure. This can lead to exhaustion, uncertainty, pressure, fall anxiety, and even grief from missing the slower pace of summer.
Social media often tells us that a new season is the perfect time to reset our routines, become more productive, and organize our lives. While there can be something motivating about a fresh start, I encourage you to consider your needs first as you adjust to a change in season.
For example: Do you need more sleep? More structure? More alone time? More connection? Therapy, reflection, journalling and mindfulness are a great ways to help you explore these needs and the barriers that may prevent you from getting these needs fulfilled.
Your Needs Matter, Too
What we sometimes don't realize is that attending to our needs doesn't necessarily mean adding more things to our already-full plates.
Sometimes, it's simply a reminder that you are more than your goals. You are deserving of taking care of yourself, even if that means removing something from your schedule, giving yourself more time to adjust, or adding something more slowly than you originally thought you would.
The leaves don't change colour and fall overnight. It happens gradually, over time. Let’s give ourselves that same permission.
