Welcoming the Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness
A couple of weeks ago it felt like summer was well and truly over. Although we were only in mid-August, lashing rain and falling temperatures were more reminiscent of autumn than the warmth we should have been enjoying. While temperatures have righted themselves a little now it has triggered the inevitable autumn thoughts earlier than expected – new terms, fresh starts and the “season of mists and mellow fruitfulness.”
It was Keats who wrote To Autumn, the poem from which that line comes. He actually penned it here in the area around Winchester – it was inspired by a walk he took around the city, perhaps in the Water Meadows or to the top of St Catherine’s Hill. The poem is always a reminder for me to embrace, as opposed to fear, coming change.
Seasonal upheavals
Autumn is traditionally a time when things shift, whether it’s starting a new school term of just coping with the transition to the colder months. This year we have a lot of added upheaval to deal with too, from Brexit to the fact that Love Island is moving to two series a year and not one! On a serious note, climate change is also frequently on people’s minds in August/September, especially if the summer has been warmer than usual. And this year set records - according to Time, July 2019 was the hottest July and the hottest month on record globally since temperature records began. Experts say this is entirely due to climate change, which is a worrying fact to take into the new season.
The only constant is change
But, no matter how you feel about change, it is inevitable. And that makes it essential to find ways to cope. If you, like me, were shocked by the impact that the sudden change in weather had on you in August, you’ll know only too well how even the most seemingly small changes can affect everything, from motivation to your daily happiness level. I personally felt a touch of S.A.D and rather hard done by, as if I hadn’t yet had my quota of sunshine and warmth for the year. Many of us resist change because we assume it will result in the loss of something of value or that we won’t be able to adapt – so how to you condition yourself to cope?
Tools for coping with change
I recently heard a quote attributed to the painter Vincent Van Gogh – “great things are done by a series of small things brought together – “ and I feel like this provides a firm foundation for coping with the change that the autumn season can bring. Here’s how:
· Set goals for your time between now and Christmas – look ahead and get excited about what you want to achieve
· Define achievable steps for reaching those goals – following the “series of small things” approach is incredibly effective
· Embrace change as an opportunity – it can take a shift in mindset but we can come to see change as a positive
· Work with a coach to find ways to navigate change – if you’re struggling with the idea of going it alone, a coach can provide support and guidance so that you can start creating the life you want before the year is out
As autumn approaches it’s time to embrace this season of mellow fruitfulness, to allow transition to feel natural and to start planning for what the future might bring. After all, change may be scary but it’s also ripe with opportunity.