Fall is in full swing! While there is much to look forward to in the spooky season of pumpkin spice, colorful trees, and plenty of autumnal fun in the Twin Cities, it may also bring mixed feelings of sadness as the days get shorter and the weather turns cold. Particularly after a summer of re-evaluating hopes and expectations in the midst of constant change, feelings of loss may coincide with the onset of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). The transition to fall may be a reminder, not only of the changing seasons, but also the changes in each of us as we navigate uncertainties and reflect on where we are and where we hope to be. As Parker Palmer muses in his essay “The Paradox of Fall,”
“In the autumnal events of my own experience, I am easily fixated on surface appearances-- on the decline of meaning, the decay of relationships, the death of a work. And yet, if I look more deeply, I may see the myriad possibilities being planted to bear fruit in some season yet to come.”Whether fall feels (figuratively and literally!) like a breath of fresh air, or is bringing on feelings of melancholy and contemplation, it is important to recognize and attend to these responses. Below are additional resources from the Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing and OHR on taking care of yourself during this transition and reflecting on your own seasons of life:
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