How to prepare for a restful fall season
Home, writing, and making space for what we long for
Welcome to September, Beloved Readers.
My prayer for you is that the transition from summer to fall will be a soft one.
My prayer for you is that you have room to listen for the longings and shifts wanting to emerge in your life this month.
As Alex and I are welcoming this forthcoming change of seasons, we’ve been having many conversations about our shared desire to simplify and make space.
Tending to our one-acre home, called Cedar Wilde, is a lot of work—especially in the summer. The grasses grow as fast as we mow them. The flower bushes and herbs need constant pruning and deadheading. Our dogs are big and messy and need tons of play. There’s cleaning the inside of our home as well: the ongoing dusting and sweeping up of dog hair. Clearing out the fridge of old produce and making sure it gets to the compost pile. There’s the laundry, the meals, the bills, and all the little details of stewarding a full life.
This was a full summer. I celebrate this, and I welcome the invitation to strip back the excess and to let a renewed sense of spaciousness fill our lives again.
For us, this means a few things:
Selling the extra roosters and hens we have in our chicken coop. We have over 20 of these dear little creatures, but we really only need a handful for our family’s regular egg consumption. Selling the extra chickens will give Alex a bit of his time back.
Putting the garden to the bed for the fall and winter. We considered planting this fall but I think we’re going to mulch the entire garden instead. We’ll let the soil rest and rebuild for the next six months or so. I love this because while we are resting, the soil will actually be breaking down and preparing for next spring, all on its own. What a gift.
Pressing pause on scheduling fall travel. While we love a fall, mountain adventure, what we’re really hungry for is spacious, open time at home. Alex used to say something along the lines of, “I love an adventure and a vacation, but what I really want is a life I don’t feel the need to vacate.” I feel grateful that we’ve had the privilege and opportunity to build towards a life we love. So we’re pressing pause on planning any fall travel and instead, prioritizing restful presence right here at home.
When you listen to the needs and longings of your own soul, and of your family, especially as we move into the last four months of the year, what do you hear?
What wants to be added? What wants to be stripped back? What wants to be celebrated? What needs to be grieved?
How might you clarify what’s most important to you in this season?
There aren’t right or wrong answers here. The invitation is to simply ask. We get so caught up in the routine and hustle of life that we miss our soul’s deepest needs. The coming shift of seasons is a great time to pause, even if for a few minutes, and to listen. Below are a few questions to help you get started.
In addition to the shifts my family is making in this season, I am also making a couple of changes.
I’m in the process of finding a publisher for my second book. I am thrilled and hopeful and can’t wait to tell you all about it. But if things go as planned, my fall season will be focused on writing the book which means I’ll need to step back from blogging as frequently. I’ll be posting two times per month instead of each week, at least through the end of the year.
There are a few others changes I’m making this fall to help me focus a bit more on my goals, namely hiring a social media manager and investing in podcast production support. These two changes, I’m hoping, will give me more headspace to work in my zone of genius. I’m trusting it will go well.
Thank you for being here and for participating in the ever-unfolding journey that is this blog! I am grateful for every second you give to reading my words. My hope is that you are able, each week, to find a moment for richer connection because of the ideas offered here.
Please make space to reflect on the questions below.
Much love, friends, and I’ll catch you here in two weeks!
Bethaney
Reflection Questions
What is my deep desire in this season?
What have I heard my loved ones say they want or need in this season? What have they said directly, with their words? What have they said indirectly (with their moods, their energy levels, their actions?)
What did I hope to accomplish or experience this year that hasn’t yet come to pass? What, if anything, needs to be grieved or processed here? What, if anything, can I still do to move towards that accomplishment or experience?
What do I want this fall season, and upcoming holiday season, to feel like for me and my loved ones?
What might I change in my schedule, my home, or in my life rhythms to make room for what I’m longing for most?