Autumn and the changing seasons feel like the perfect time to write and journal. Autumn is the season that most makes us reflect on the changes the year brings. After the long summer days, it gets darker, earlier. The leaves change from green to orange, and fall – hence the name the Americans give this time of year. The colours of the natural world seem ever more lovely as they begin their inevitable process of decay. As the wheel of life turns, autumn reminds us of the beauty and impermanence of all living things. Traditionally, humans change too, shedding our social summer selves, perhaps beginning a new course of learning or study, or a new project, spending more time indoors and swapping our summer clothes for warm layers as we begin to prepare for winter.
Journaling is a fantastic way to process change and emotions and help us explore what might be truly important for us as we begin the last quarter of the year.
Here are some prompts from my live journaling wellbeing session last Friday. Why not spend 10 minutes or so seeing what happens when you begin writing in response to these?
What does a perfect autumn day look like for me?
What are some things I associate with the end of summer and beginning of autumn?
How is this transitional time different from other times of year for me?
What are some things I can do to reconnect with nature during the next few months?
What are some energising activities I could do during October and November?
Have you ever seen or experienced something and wished you spoke up? Writer Sakinah Hofler makes the case for writing as a tool to help you process difficult memories and reclaim the power they may hold. Pick up a pen or pull up a keyboard and follow along as she walks you through how to unburden your mind and inspire reflection.
There are so many benefits to writing and journaling by hand:
You can better track and process your emotions and see patterns or unhelpful thoughts.
You can simply declutter and clear your mind. We can carry around a lot of junk!
Writing and journaling reduce anxiety. Writing gives you clarity and perspective and also helps you to be calm and create space for kind and positive thoughts.
If you’ve never tried it, have a go!
