As seasons shift: embracing the joy and the unease
It’s frustratingly normal to feel a sense of anticipation and grief simultaneously as we shift from summer to fall. Let’s talk about why.
The seasons and all their changes are in me.
~ Henry David Thoreau
You may feel a twinge of malaise or melancholy this week.
I know I do.
We often talk about the change of seasons — especially from summer to fall1 — as this joyous time of fresh starts, freshly sharpened pencils and an abundance of opportunities ready to pursue.
That's how I've historically talked about it anyway.
I get to buy school supplies (for my kids and me), I get to transition back to fall clothes and fall cooking (my fave) and I get to feel that surge of energy that comes as the days get a little bit cooler.
Fall is my favourite season and it’s not even close.
But that doesn’t change the fact that every year around this time as we move out of the post-vacation, slower summer days and into the faster pace of fall, I start to feel the melancholy kick in with a side of grief thrown in for good measure.
You too?
Here’s where that might be coming from:
🍂 Noticing the passage of time (feeling this as my oldest starts high school and my youngest goes into her last year of middle school, with only a few more summers to go...)
🍂 Recognizing that the quieter, warmer, restful days are coming to a close
🍂 Appreciating the impending decisions and deadlines that can no longer be back-burned
🍂 Feelings about how much fun, play or rest time you were able to engage with this summer (or not)
🍂 Acknowledging that YOU may not be ready to match up your energy and output levels to the change in season
As always, a reminder that two things can be true at the same time: we can be excited about the transition from one season to another AND sad to see the last season go.
We can also acknowledge that we're not quite ready yet, and that our transition might take a little longer or be a little bumpier than in years past.
A few questions you might consider asking yourself as we head into fall:
➡️ What season of life and work am *I* in right now and what does this season need from me?
➡️ What do I want to take from this season into the next?
➡️ How can I ease in to this season gradually rather than like gangbusters?
Give yourself space and grace as you move from one season to another.
Transitions, by their very nature, are rarely smooth and seamless. It might feel a bit awkward as you navigate that middle space between what was and what will be.
The routines will come, the calendar will get sorted, the expectations will get clearer.
It all just takes time to unfold.
💫 Work with Me — 2 spots in September
If you’re looking to grow as a leader, let’s chat.
Being a leader is sometimes lonely, oftentimes challenging work. Especially right now.
People look to you for answers on complex (and not-so-complex) problems all day long. Whether they be clients, staff, the Executive Leadership Team or your community-at-large, it can get overwhelming to be on call for everyone else.
I’m your confidante, your expert guide, your cheerleader, your accountability partner, and your safe place to share the ups and downs of your life and leadership.
I’ll be the person that helps you cool down before you respond to feedback or a hard conversation, and I’ll help you find the words to communicate with clarity and confidence. I’ll help you problem-solve, re-imagine and plan for what’s next.
And I’ll hold your feet to the fire when you find yourself over-thinking, procrastinating or stuck in the mud.
➡️ I’ve got space in my calendar for two new clients starting in September.
If you’d like to explore working together, I’d love to chat. There are two main ways to work with me:
Leadership Coaching — 3, 6 or 9 month engagements
On Demand Voxer Coaching — monthly as needed
Want to chat? Book a quick chat with me or hit reply and we’ll figure out if coaching is right for you.
Recognizing with respect that if you’re in the Southern Hemisphere, you’re reading this as your winter turns to spring. I hope you can still glean something from it, regardless. 😊
As we drive home from what might be our last camping trip of the year, I love the reminder that two things can be true. I am definitely looking forward to my boys going back to school and not ready for summer and our more laid back family time to come to and end. There were so many more things I wanted to do with my family this summer and it felt like work and volunteer commitments never slowed down at all. I am realizing there is an opportunity in my life to carve out more family connection time throughout the year. Blocking our schedules and planning something fun, whether it’s a games night, movie time, a family walk or a quick getaway where we can escape the daily grind (and all the technology). Time is going by so quickly and you’ve reminded me to make the moments we have matter. Thanks for the insight and inspiration as always Steph.