Blown Away

Was I a tad overdramatic about October last week?

I have certain comforts in life, like SUNLIGHT, which I don’t take for granted. When it fades and less light appears in the mornings, I take it hard. It’s part of the Autumn season I resent and appreciate at the same time.

I am grateful for the experience of seeing all four seasons. This doesn't mean they are easy to live through. They are natural reminders about CHANGE surrounding us all the time. How do we adapt to these changes seamlessly?

Autumn signifies a change in leadership and direction. It brings forth beauty and loss like no other season. I can enjoy new, colourful foliage seen mostly in October before the leaves fall.

Autumn is also the season for me when the transition has its challenges. Last year I had the added struggle to stay motivated with a new writing journey. It was the first time I documented all my daily thoughts around my experiences.

2022 journal entries and tweets (posts) documented how I adapted through the season, including adjustments to my morning routine. The main ones were:

✔️ Avoiding the SNOOZE button after the first alarm;

✔️ Saying "Good Morning" to myself before saying or thinking anything else;

✔️ Being mindful of the first set of thoughts when I wake up. Constantly saying "Fall sucks!" is not helpful!

✔️ Writing as soon as I wake up. Coffee comes later!

Lack of sleep and other unfortunate events distracted me from reflecting and implementing last year's tactics.

After attending a (Twitter / X) Space (similar to a live Podcast) this week, I looked back at previous journal entries, looking for specific examples of how I “endured” October last year. Motivated by the contributions of the host and speakers to the conversation, I wrote about CHANGE in my journal for a few days. We are constantly changing. Not everyone adapts seamlessly to any change, let alone seasonal changes. It became a pattern to slip into the October BLAHs and GRRs each year.

I found the power to determine which direction to go through writing.

I fell hard on the “October BLOWS” bandwagon this year. I forgot to recognize October as another time of the year when CHANGE at first will appear to be harsh. I was blown away by my thoughts rather than remembering these experiences as a change I have already been through and lived to tell the tale. I have the journal entries to prove it!

With only a few more days left in October, I plan to end the month by incorporating a few changes I tried out last year. This week already I am writing more than usual. Changing thoughts (not ignoring feelings) can have an immediate shift in future events. Taking a moment to BREATHE also helps.

Speaking of a shift… “Sharpie” the BIRD came back!

I was in the middle of a virtual meeting when he came by to do his usual creeping on me at the window. Not only did he sing loud enough to disturb my call, but he also brought a friend to sing with him!

I was rejuvenated by the 30-second visit. I don’t know if I will see him again. I do miss hearing him and other birds in the morning. This is part of the seasonal change I forgot to adapt to this year. I am grateful for capturing these moments in my journal.

I enjoyed the gift and reminder Sharpie gave me on a cloudy Autumn morning. Writing through these changes and feelings gives me the charge required to blow the October BLAHs and GRRs away. I will work harder to stay away from dissing October so much and focus on the current path. There are only a few more days left in the month, anyway.

Looking at you, NOVEMBER… bring it!

Until then,...

Embrace the change and enjoy Autumn, fellow creatives.

Naddy / Nadine