Up the Down Escalator - Navigating Seasonal Transitions

The Emotional Weight of Seasonal Change

It’s mid-September, and I’m decluttering and clearing my space. In some years, the engine of seasonal change would have started in nature. Summer is keeping a firm grasp this year, and the humid, mid-80s days in the Midwest feel exhausting. 

Many things this year have felt exhausting. The illnesses and deaths of close family and friends and the seemingly unending parade of loss and grief are part of life. 

The Power of Decluttering and Creating Space

I’ve changed my home's energy by creating more comfortable lounge spaces and "shopping” my closets and cupboards for fresh accessories. I’m reminded of the resources I possess that help me feel more relaxed and safe in the space. 

As a result, it’s also creating more spaciousness in my creativity. More on that in a moment. 

Embracing Change, One Sock at a Time

I love socks in the fall and winter. As I mentioned, I live in the Midwest, where it gets cold, wet, and snowy. Socks are a must. Knee socks were a must with my youth's unfortunate Catholic school plaid skirts and jumpers. I still love knee socks, and if they have a little character, so much the better. 

As part of the fall clearing, I inventoried my socks and noted my needs. The mall parking lot was full of shoppers dressed more for July than September, and the dissonance didn’t end there. 

Seasonal Overwhelm: Too Much, Too Soon

Heading up the escalator, I encountered a display of pumpkins, turkeys, and Christmas trees. Physically, I was headed up, but emotionally, I was on the down escalator. It took only a moment for me to recognize the activation of feelings. 

Feelings of overwhelm that it’s “too much, too soon,” and we’re not allowed to process one holiday before we’re commanded to move on to the next. My head gets that it’s marketing and commercial. My heart and gut don’t agree. 

Like holiday displays, so many things activate our thoughts and emotions. The physical loss of a loved one, being the care partner for a family member or friend, moving, divorce, changes in employment, estrangement, and aging. 

These are not isolated experiences, but shared struggles that many of us face. Life isn’t static, yet the expectations we carry on as we have in the past are neither realistic nor compassionate. Understanding this can help us feel less alone in our journey. 

Shifting Perspectives and Adapting Plans

Through my work and personal experience, I appreciate shifting gears when we need to make a change that supports our current position. I hear my clients worry about whether or not they want to decorate their homes, hand out candy, host a gathering, or attend one. It’s hard to know how we’ll feel on that day. 

But remember, we have the power to adapt and change our plans as needed, which can be empowering and comforting in times of uncertainty.

Creating Space for What Matters

Creating spaciousness is a way to declutter worry. It's about identifying where we feel stuck or what we prefer, and thinking about who, what, when, and where puzzle pieces might be rearranged this year. 

(We only have to consider this year, not the future.) 

I’m reminded of the year my dad died and the following months of cleaning out the home we’d occupied for decades. My energy was low, and I didn’t think I could host the Christmas holiday. When I talked to my brother and sister-in-law about it, they offered to host that year. 

It turned into a pattern of alternating for several years to come. It gave me a great deal of relief. That’s only one option to consider, but it's a powerful one that can bring comfort and ease. 

A Personal Invitation to Prepare for the Season

I plan on hosting a short webinar in October to discuss how we can approach the coming season. 

Whether you have current or past circumstances, you can join me as we discuss the 2024 season.

If you’re interested in getting information about this free webinar on October 23, 2024, at 6:30 CDT, you can sign up below, and we’ll keep you updated. 

We’re still happy you’re here if this isn't for you. Stay tuned to the blog as I create and share what’s sparking my interest in books, resources, and ideas.