Fall & Winter's Quiet Invitation
Finding Solace and Renewal in the Stillness
Ah, the crisp air, the pumpkin spice everything... and that slow, creeping dread of winter that some of us just can't shake. It's like a seasonal mood swing, isn't it? One minute we're all about cozy sweaters and hot cocoa, the next we're spiraling into a pit of existential despair.
And my clients? Well, let's just say their feelings about the impending cold are... mixed. Anxiety. Excitement. Dread. Hopelessness. It's a whole buffet of emotions, and the "winter blues" seem to be the main course.
Notice a theme? Yeah, me too.
Why does winter get such a bad rap? Cold, dreary, limiting... okay, so there's some truth to that. But what if we flipped the script? What if, instead of seeing fall as the inevitable march toward the dreaded winter, we embraced it?
The Seed's Promise: Hope Flickers Even in the Coldest Dark
Love-in-the-mist, a delicate annual with intricate petals and lacy foliage, is truly a jewel of the garden. But its beauty isn't merely skin deep. To bloom in all its glory, it needs a little nudge from nature—a process called cold stratification.
In the fall, love-in-the-mist creates a beautiful seed pod—a protective cradle for its collection of seeds that falls to the earth, shielding them from the harshness of winter. Within each seed lies a tiny embryo, nestled amidst a bit of nourishment. It's programmed to wait, patiently biding its time until spring's gentle warmth signals its awakening.
Though tucked away, this embryo is already alive, even in autumn's embrace.
The cold of winter ushers it into a state of dormancy, a biological pause.
It's a necessary slumber, ensuring the seed doesn't awaken prematurely. Without this period of rest, many seeds would struggle to sprout, and we'd be deprived of the joy these jewel-like flowers bring.
Like love-in-the-mist, fall and winter offer us both the time and space for a pause—a period of rest.
Nature slows down, retreats inward, and invites us to do the same. The vibrant energy of summer gives way to a quieter, more introspective rhythm. It's a chance to turn our gaze inward, to reflect on the year that's passed, and to gather our strength for the journey ahead.
Just as the seed embryo rests in the cold earth, we too can find solace in the stillness of winter. It's a time to nurture our inner selves, to replenish our spirits, and to dream of the possibilities that lie dormant within us. The world outside may be cold and barren, but within us, a flame of hope flickers, waiting for the right moment to burst forth.
Winter isn't just about survival; it's about transformation.
It's a time for deep introspection, for shedding old layers, and for preparing for a vibrant rebirth. Like love-in-the-mist, we too can emerge from winter's embrace stronger, wiser, and ready to bloom.
An Unexpected Awakening: A Fall Equinox Revelation
So, there I was, in a special Kundalini yoga class on the fall equinox.
Little did I know I was about to have a serious "aha!" moment, the kind that leaves you questioning everything you thought you knew about yourself.Â
I walked out of that class with a whole new perspective on fall and winter – not just as seasons, but as opportunities for personal growth. I also unearthed a limiting belief that had been hiding in plain sight, something I'm determined to tackle head-on this fall and winter so I can emerge in the spring, not just as a new person, but like a love-in-the-mist flower, blooming in all its intricate beauty.
What was that belief, you ask?Â
Brace yourself:
"I am unloveable. I don't belong. I have no community."
Ouch, right?Â
When this surfaced during meditation, I was honestly floored. Where did that even come from? But after some soul-searching, it all came flooding back: a toxic mix of high school drama, a traumatic experience at 17, and a few other not-so-great moments in my early adulthood. Turns out, this belief had been following me around like a shadow for years.
The next part of the class was incredibly powerful. We wrote down what was no longer serving us, the things we were ready to release into the universe – a sort of petition to the cosmos, or whoever/whatever you believe in. It was about letting go, creating space for rest and stillness, so we could emerge in the spring, renewed and reborn.
Then we burned those pieces of paper, watching the ash scatter in the wind.
As the ash drifted away, we focused on gratitude. Gratitude for the natural rhythms of the earth, for the time and space to rest and recharge, and for the opportunity to rebuild the parts of ourselves that we'd let fall away.
Finally, we set an intention to guide us through the next six months. Mine is simple but powerful:
"I am love."
I chose this because I want to embody love, in all its forms. Maybe it's feeling loved, knowing I'm lovable, or simply being more loving towards myself and others. It's about opening my heart and allowing love to flow freely.
From Fall's Letting Go to Spring's Blooming: A Seasonal Journey
As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, let's remember that winter isn't something to be dreaded, but a season to be embraced. It's a time for introspection, stillness, rest, and restoration. Just as the love-in-the-mist seed patiently waits beneath the winter snow, so too can we use this time to nurture the seeds of our own transformation.
As you navigate the coming months, consider these questions:
What will we let fall away from ourselves this fall? What old patterns, beliefs, or habits no longer serve us?
What intention, our seed, will we plant? What qualities, dreams, or goals do we want to nurture and cultivate during this time of rest?
What parts of ourselves deserve rest and restoration? Where are we feeling depleted, and how can we replenish our energy?
How can we nurture ourselves to emerge in the spring, more in line with our authentic self? What practices, rituals, or self-care routines will support our growth and transformation?
Let this winter be a season of deep inner work, a time to cultivate self-love, and a period of quiet preparation for the vibrant bloom that awaits you. Remember, even in the darkest of winters, the promise of spring lies within us all.
Embrace the stillness.Â
Nurture your soul.Â
And emerge, like the love-in-the-mist, radiant and renewed.
This idea is so powerful. I am a victim of winter blues as it’s called. I love all the holidays in the fall and winter so it can’t be that. I was married to my true love in the Fall forty-six years ago in November. The loves of my life, my sons, were born in fall and winter so I would think those are the happiest seasons for me. Yet I still miss the light of day that stays into the evenings. I experience a strange internal phenomenon that occurs each time a season changes where I cannot stay away for more than a few hours during the first week of a new season. This strange occurrence has been happening for the last 10 years. I gave up trying to understand the purpose the Universe may want with me. I will open myself to your ideas though and try to embrace it as you suggest. Finding you through SubStack allows me to recognize that life holds more mystery than I ever thought possible. Your kindness is love and your aura of love reaches people like me, strangers if you will, to feel it. I am so grateful my fate led me to you. You help me, you restore my faith in people and yes with love stronger for my fellow human beings. I’ve never seen the beauty of the flower you share here either. In itself is an allure of nature’s awesomeness. You are captivating in so many ways and I am truly grateful you are part of this world. You do make everything better each time you post. Thank you once more for being you. You prove there is love especially when we need it.
I love this reclaiming of the winter season. It's almost like all of nature is telling us to slow down, sit still, turn inward, and practice being with ourselves. Thanks for framing that so beautifully and authentically!