Changing Seasons

TRANSITIONS…

I have yet to meet someone who LOVES transitions and changes.  It is human nature to resist and fight against change even if it is good change; the kind of change we initiate or invite into our lives.  Most of us crave comfort and stability and feel averse to the discomfort and uncertainty that change brings on.

This time of year is difficult for me because it means summer is coming to an end.  Yes, I am talking about the weather (again :)).  I know some of you LOVE fall and I get that.  AND I know that the transition from Summer into Fall can be jolty, especially if you are a parent of young kids.

Regardless of how we feel about the weather, the weather does its thing.  

I want to invite you all to take a minute to reflect on your summer and see what comes up for you.  Are there any parts of summer that you love, that you can bring forward and integrate into the coming months?  

I LOVE drinking my cup of coffee or afternoon beverage on the porch while I read or just have a mindful moment and do it almost daily in the summer time.

During the pandemic, I started doing that in the winter months.  I would grab a beanie and a blanket and my coffee and sit outside and guess what?  It was lovely!  And I also learned that I love running in the rain.  Getting out there takes a little more motivation, but once I was out there, I found it to be my favorite time of year to run.

Did you spend more time in nature these past few months?  Take more day trips to the coast or the gorge?  Go for more hikes?  Spend more time with your kids or friends?  Eat more seasonally?  Travel more?  

I am also curious if you are ready to let some things go from the often hectic summer months.  Are you ready to slow down a bit?  Did you drink more alcohol than you’d like to?  Did you spend less time being present because you were so busy trying to do all the things you wanted to do?

Although I love the feeling of sunshine on my skin, warm summer nights and cold water plunges on hikes, I also love structure and routine.  I welcome that aspect of Fall.

Instead of reacting to the changing seasons, can we instead be with it.  The only thing we know to be true in life is change itself.  Nothing will ever be the same, so we may as well embrace it. And by embrace it, I do not mean you have to love it. It can be both and. I struggle with the shift in seasons, and I accept it.

Are there any small things you can do to support yourself during these seasonal transitions?  Could you go to bed a little earlier?  Wake up a little earlier?  Meal plan during the weekend?  Start a morning meditation practice?  Take a midday power nap?  Block off some time for yourself?  

I just finished reading “The Surrender Experiment” by Michael Singer and have been listening to his podcasts and one thing he said that really stuck with me was that change is not about will power.  It is about intention.  If our intention is strong enough and in alignment with our higher good, we can effectively make change happen.  What one thing do you want to change and what is your intention for making that change?

Speaking of change, I recently gave up drinking.  It is something that I have used as a crutch and a comfort for as long as I can remember.  I thought it was helping me manage my anxiety (especially in social situations).  Turns out, it is not.

As I go through the steps of healing trauma (not like there are actual steps but more like bobbing and weaving and banging into walls and feeling insane and completely unraveled for the majority of the past few years), I have eventually become more aligned in mind, body and spirit.  For decades, I was in survival mode. 

Now that I am finally more regulated, I am aware of what it feels like to be in true alignment.  And drinking did not feel in alignment with my higher self.  So, with the intention of being fully embodied, in alignment and present, I gave it up.  And I feel amazing.

I do not classify myself as a “sober” person or in recovery.  I am just listening to and honoring my higher self.  Today, I do not drink alcohol.

Healing for me started about 5 years ago (15 if you include 10 years of talk therapy).

It started with a Mindfulness Meditation practice, followed by Ketamine Therapy, Psilocybin Microdosing protocol, Energy Work, Somatic Integration, Journey work (more plant medicine ceremonies), Hormone Replacement Therapy, a lot of letting go and grief work, finding community, sharing my stories of trauma (all the parts of myself), breathwork, and working with an IFS/ Somatic Experiencing Therapist.

All of these things have helped me find my way back to myself.  And everyone’s journey is different.  If you are looking to find peace, if you are looking to restore your nervous system from a lifetime of fight or flight, heal from complex PTSD, become less reactive, feel more love and connection, face your fears, overcome your anxiety and become more present and you want to talk, please reach out.

The next steps of my professional path will include coaching for healing.  

I just began my Trauma Informed Weightlifting Certification Course and have a Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification.  Next, I will be looking to complete a Somatic Integration Program and want to offer a web of modalities that include movement, weightlifting, mindfulness, meditation, embodiment and plant medicine.

In the meantime, you can start here:

• Guided Breath-work with Geoff: (includes optional psilocybin microdose): 3rd Fridays of the month at 7pm at Fitness Union. Hands down one of the best, most accessible ways to heal yourself.

• Energy Work with Mandy: she is a true healer and helped me when I did not know where else to turn.  She is incredibly gifted and knows just how to hold you and all your stories in the most gentle of ways.  She also offers online and in-person Breathwork sessions. Send her an inquiry about her offerings as she is just transitioning spaces.

• Bodywork with Sukho, LMT: offers onsite massage at Fitness Union: Not only is Sukho the most gifted massage therapist I know, I found massage to be one of the best ways to restore my nervous system.  I often use my appointment to just rest, allow and receive the gift of massage. And he offers discounts to all members!

• Ram Dass Satsang: Led by our very own member, Erin at Fitness Unio the 3rd Sunday of each month. Expect a loving community space for meditation, journaling, discussion, mutual learning, and perhaps a little chanting or heart-singing at the end. Whether you're a long-time follower or new to Ram Dass' teachings, all are welcome to connect, share, and grow.

• Micheal Singer: I initially read “Untethered Soul” and it was the first book that set me on the path of spirituality.  Since then I have been obsessed with all of his writing and podcasts.  He is a north star and guiding light.

• Insight Timer: The meditation app that I have been using for 5 years.  LOVE, love, love it.  

That is it for now.  Thanks for reading.  Sending love and gratitude to all who took the time out of your busy lives to read this newsletter.