New Beginnings

Labour Day weekend can feel like a second new year — the perfect time to reassess where you are, where you want to be, and how much you’ve accomplished in the year. It’s a great time to recharge your internal batteries and re-energize yourself for the fall season. 

When I was younger, I used to love the first week of school and all the excitement that came with it. Socially it was fun, although academically I found it to be quite challenging on many levels. But I always got through it and made the best of it.

I would have benefited tremendously from learning about mindfulness as a child, but the closest I got to that was haiku. When I was in grade five, I had a language arts assignment in which I learned about haiku poetry for the first time; little did I know that haiku would become as significant to me as it has. 

It was later in life when I learned that haiku is about nature and the seasons, and is based on personal experiences from simple everyday life moments. It was then that I began to have a deeper appreciation of what it represents. I’ve learned a lot from haiku — following the philosophy of living in the moment has helped me to take time for self-care, and to recharge my internal batteries when I’m feeling overwhelmed, scattered and stressed out.

Labour Day is a day when you can rest and enjoy the fruits of your labour. It also offers a tremendous opportunity to reflect on the deeper meaning of work. Technically, it’s still summer at the beginning of September, but we begin to feel the seasons shift as we make a fresh start. For some, it’s going back to school and for others it’s the opportunity to re-visit some of the goals that were made earlier in the year. When you take time to recharge your internal batteries and re-energize yourself, you are able to accomplish goals and get ready for the fall season. 

SELF-CARE TIP: Take a breather every couple of hours during work: Take mini breaks and get up and walk around. Look outside and even better, go outside and take a short walk. This will give your mind a little rest, allow it to reset, and repair itself for its next couple of hours of work.

Taking the time to recharge and energize yourself so you can focus on your goals and achieve success can be overwhelming. When you take the time and care to recharge yourself you are able to best serve not only yourself but others too.

Do you feel a change once September arrives? I always find that things start changing around the middle of September. The days get shorter and the weather cools off. It’s still summer, but fall is always lingering in the air during this shift in seasons. The harvest moon typically happens near the autumnal equinox, but that’s not always the case. Harvest moons are really good for emotional cleansing, so if there is something you no longer wish to take with you into the autumn, this is the perfect time to release it and let it go. Shifting into fall is the ideal time to connect to your internal rhythm and energize yourself for everything that comes with a new season.

SELF-CARE TIP: Unplug: Turn off any digital devices and embrace the quietness of doing nothing. It may feel uncomfortable at first, but you will start to become more aware of your surroundings and connect with yourself instead of technology.

When summer fades, the morning chill arrives, and the leaves begin to fall, you can sense the shift both in your spirit and in the world around you. Autumn is a yearly reminder of the bittersweet passage of time.

The first day of fall arrives on September 22nd in the Northern Hemisphere. When we shift from summer to fall, it’s the ideal time to reflect on the months of summer and get ready to embrace the autumn by welcoming all the good things that come with it. The autumnal equinox is when we naturally turn more within ourselves, and the plants and trees start to slow down. As the sunlight decreases, we begin to get ready for the colder season ahead. Fall is a short and special season. It’s a time for getting cozy with sweaters, taking in the vibrant colours and savouring the taste of pumpkin and spice. I’ve always found it to be one of the most inspirational seasons for writing haiku with all of the richness and beauty it offers.

SELF-CARE TIP: Start your day with a smile: Embrace your day with a positive attitude and smile. Happiness is the most sought-after emotion and smiling helps bring more joy to you, and to those around you. 

Shifting into fall is a good time to recharge your energy so you can be more present on a daily basis. It’s the time of year to notice the changes and be more aware of your surroundings. Take some time to restore and curl up on the couch with a good book…… perhaps reads some haiku!

The change of seasons offers an opportunity to reassess and figure out what is and isn’t working in life. Fall is an ideal time to review, reassess and take a step back. Autumn represents the harvest. Think about the seeds you planted earlier in the year and what you’ve reaped since then. Fall is the time of year when we all have the ability to go within and make room for what’s to come in the new year. By becoming quiet and listening to what you truly want, you can create fertile soil for your visions to grow and blossom. When we stay connected to our internal rhythm and nature, we are able to flow with ease into the vibrant and stunning season that fall represents.

SELF-CARE TIP: Get outdoors by yourself: Go for a walk, get out in nature and notice what is around. When you’re alone you’re more likely to notice things and not be distracted by conversations. Yes, this does mean that you can’t take your phone!

Autumn reminds us that flexibility and adaptability are crucial for staying healthy and balanced during the winter months. It’s a time to complete unfinished projects, clear away clutter and to make sure that you’re physically and emotionally ready for shorter days and longer nights that follow.