Finding September’s Inspiration

Autumn Nights, Digital, 2020

Outside my window, the leaves are turning yellow. Soon they’ll drop off, soaring through the air like confetti. The act of letting go can be powerful.

Trees shed their leaves to conserve energy for the harsher months. Artists declutter their compositions to improve clarity, harmony, and accessibility. Like strong trees and engaging pieces of art, humans benefit from empty spaces, too!

The pressure to be constantly “on” and to remain in a state of perpetual productivity can make us feel like Bilbo Baggins in The Fellowship of the Ring if we’re not careful: “thin, stretched, like butter scraped over too much bread.”

There is no shame in going dormant. If you’re feeling lost, it’s ok to take a time out and regather yourself. It’s ok to focus on your roots.

When reflecting on dormant periods and the act of letting go, I was reminded of this quote by writer Michaela Coel:

“In a world that entices us to browse through the lives of others to help us better determine how we feel about ourselves, and to, in turn, feel the need to be constantly visible, for visibility these days seems to somehow equate to success, do not be afraid to disappear, from it, from us, for a while, and see what comes to you in the silence.” -Excerpt from Michaela Coel’s Emmy acceptance speech for I May Destroy You (winner of the Outstanding Writing for a Limited or Anthology series or Movie category)

Soon bears will begin to hibernate, bees will dance in their hives, and schools of fish will nestle together underwater. I’m going to take the hint from nature and try to embrace the slow season, too! I hope to use this season to take things a little less seriously, to shed some leaves of perfectionism and comparison, and to prioritize my mental health so that I can have a strong and supportive root system.

Fun fact, did you know that 40% of humans experience “Stresslaxing,” or being stressed out by downtime? Maybe you’ve felt this too. Avoiding relaxation to be more productive might feel better in the moment, but it can also fuel more stress and negatively affect your wellbeing. Too much downtime can affect your well-being, too! If you’re curious about the optimal amount, this study suggests aiming for three and a half hours a day.

I wish you all the optimal coziness and downtime hours, no matter what season you’re in.

If you’re in a season of spring, I hope you celebrate! And if you’re in particularly tough season, I hope you can take comfort in the fact that things will change and the weather will shift.

As always, be kind to yourself and thank you for reading.