NEW ENVIRONMENT EQUALS A NEW START — IT’S TIME FOR A CLEAN SLATE
September 13th, 9 am EST
Article by Ashley
There is something incredibly magical about the changing of seasons.
As we feel the weather transform, it’s almost like witnessing a death and re-birthing. This planet that we get to call home doesn’t ask for our permission to play out it’s cycles. It just does and we’ve learned to act accordingly. Every season has it’s own rhythm and as human beings who are responsive to the outer-world, it’s no wonder that we feel this external shift so deeply — even in our bodies. It’s almost intrinsic.
However, these shifts don’t always have positive effects.
The end of Summer always feels like a movie and so does the beginning of Fall. It’s during this special time that we lose a sense of freedom and the feeling of being eternal fades. The weather slowly gets colder and days get shorter. It’s easy to become overwhelmed especially when we’re expected to transition so quickly – forced back into environments that require social interaction, intense focus, and to follow guidelines.
It’s the first few weeks of September and you’re dealing with the end-of-summer blues. You may be anxious over the beginning of something new and that’s okay. This is a guide for navigating through, embracing, and owning this moment.
1. ACKNOWLEDGE, SPECIFY, AND VERBALIZE YOUR FEARS AND WORRIES
I encourage you to spend some time reflecting. The things that scare you, aren’t always one-dimensional but rather layered. Our fears are oftentimes the surface of a deep rooted limiting belief. Why are you afraid to make friends? What’s so scary about starting something new? Asking questions is how we learn. Be honest with yourself, get specific, and don’t be ashamed. We spend a lot of time feeling, which is good, but what is felt doesn’t always have to stay locked within. Release it by telling someone or writing it down on paper.
2. JUST AS YOU HAVE FEARS AND WORRIES, THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING TO BE EXCITED ABOUT
While it can be intimidating to start something new and endure a period of re-adjusting, it’s not all about fear, anxiety, and stress. Newness allows for opportunity and that can be exciting – almost motivating. Cling to that feeling. You’ve acknowledged the worries you have already. You don’t have to fixate on them. Be present and sensitive towards them but do not let them rule you. Where your focus is, is where energy flows. Focus on what is exciting.
3. IDENTIFY A HOME BASE
Separation is vital for adapting to something new. It can be extremely helpful to have a neutral space, one you can run to for grounding. It’s at this “home base”, where you can exhale and feel completely comfortable in the midst of uneasiness. This doesn’t have to be a place. It can be a person, a song, or simply a thought – a happy image in your mind. Return to it when necessary and cherish it as a sacred gift that is solely yours.
4. PHYSICALIZE WHAT FEELS GOOD
Just as you’ve verbalized what feels bad, try physicalizing what feels good. Stop saying “that would be nice”, and go do it. Get more sleep when you have the chance and eat the foods you want to eat. Walk slower and communicate your thoughts. Now is not the time to neglect your needs no matter how basic they are.
5. RECOGNIZE YOUR POWER TO CREATE
Again, newness allows for opportunity. The best way to honor and embrace a new season is to honor and embrace a new version of yourself. This means so much more than a new haircut and a few new outfits. You can change your narrative at any moment. Affirm what you want — that you’ll see growth in yourself, that you’re a good student, that you’re magnetic and capable of taking on whatever is new.
