Small habits, gentle rituals, and seasonal inspiration to steady your days.
Hello Friends! 🍁
Tomorrow marks the fall equinox—the moment when day and night balance each other just right. It’s nature’s gentle reminder that we, too, can pause, reset, and find a little more balance in our own lives.
And since I can’t resist saying it… Happy Fall, Y’all! ☺️ Whether you’re sipping something pumpkin-spiced, pulling out your cozy sweaters, or simply enjoying the cooler morning air, this is a season to notice the small shifts that bring comfort and change.
⚓ Habits That Hold You Steady
As the season shifts, it’s the perfect time to pause and notice the habits that anchor you—those small, meaningful practices that give you a sense of balance and nourishment no matter what else is changing. These aren’t the rigid “should-do’s” we often pile on ourselves; they’re gentle routines that create a rhythm you can return to. Walking and exercise does this for me.
Think of habits as anchors. Some keep us grounded, while others may hold us back from moving in the direction we want to go. The fall equinox, with its perfect balance of light and dark, invites us to ask: Which habits help me feel aligned and supported—and which might I gently release?
⚖️ Balancing Change
Change is inevitable, whether it’s seasonal, personal, or something bigger. The secret is to balance stability with growth. When our habits reflect what matters most—health, connection, calm, joy—they become steady foundations that help us navigate change with ease.
🪞 Reflection for the Season
As we step into fall, take a few minutes to notice your own balance. Grab a notebook (or just pause to reflect) and ask yourself:
- What habit in my life feels like an anchor—something that steadies and supports me no matter what else is happening?
- Is there a habit I’ve outgrown, or one that weighs me down more than it helps?
- What small ritual could I add this season to nourish my energy or bring more calm?
You don’t need perfect answers—just noticing is the first step toward alignment.
✨ Habits That Hold You Steady (beyond the basics)
- Morning alignment check – take two minutes each morning to ask: What really matters to me today? This clears out noise and gives you a touchstone for decisions.
- Weekly reset ritual – pick one day to clear clutter (physical or mental). Maybe it’s emptying a drawer, catching up on a lingering task, or simply reviewing your week. It signals a fresh start.
- Connection touchpoint – reach out to one person each day or week (a call, text, or note). The habit of small connections builds resilience and joy.
- Pause before yes – practice a 3-breath pause before agreeing to requests. It’s a steadying habit that prevents overcommitment.
- Bookend moments – add a ritual at the start and end of your workday or week (lighting a candle, journaling one line, playing a favorite song). It creates rhythm.
- Nature noticing – step outside daily and notice one seasonal change (the air, a tree, the light). It’s grounding and keeps you present.
- “Let it be small” habit – give yourself permission to do something in micro-form (stretch for 3 minutes, tidy one corner, journal a single sentence). It interrupts all-or-nothing thinking.
- Gratitude in motion – pair gratitude with something active: give thanks for one thing while brushing your teeth, folding laundry, or walking. It transforms routines into rituals.
These small moments don’t just fill time—they fill you.
THIS & THAT
Making Hard Choices
Life Kit has this fascinating take on making hard choices that I thought was really interesting: A surprising trick to making hard choices? Try thinking less! The advice is counterintuitive, and it comes from a “decision coach.” If you’re struggling with indecision, and find yourself getting stuck in the “what-ifs”, or are just curious about how to address making a decision, give this a read/listen and let me know what you decide. 😉
Tai Chi & Qigong
Do you know why Tai Chi and Qigong are good for you? Have you tried one of them? Both are complementary Chinese mind-body practices involving slow, flowing movements coordinated with breath and mindfulness to improve health and spiritual well-being. This article from “Super Age” spells out how these movements really work to sharpen your mind and actually shift your brain chemistry – no matter what age you are.
Bea You Yoga, Lewiston, is offering a Tai Chi classes beginning October 2, for a series of 4 sessions. Worth checking out!
Clumping Brown Sugar
Just this week I went to make some pumpkin drop cookies to celebrate the fall equinox, and discovered that my brown sugar was as hard as a rock!🪨 Thank goodness for Google; I was able to (fairly quickly) soften the brown sugar so I didn’t have to waste the whole bag. This article offered solutions so I don’t encounter this again! Perhaps some of you have your own secrets for this. Let the baking begin!
No Office Hours for October
I’ll be taking an extended vacation next month to rest, recharge, and gather some fresh inspiration from a different culture—so there will be no Office Hours in October. I’ll miss our time together, but I know that practicing what I preach about balance and renewal is important, too. We’ll pick back up in November, refreshed and ready to explore new ways to nourish our energy, habits, and well-being together.
FINAL THOUGHTS
As the days shift and the season turns, may this fall equinox remind you to notice the small moments that steady you, the habits that nourish you, and the gentle rhythms that bring balance to your life. Whether it’s a new ritual, a pause to breathe, or a tiny act of gratitude, each choice is a seed for your well-being.
Take this season as an invitation to honor yourself, embrace change with curiosity, and savor the simple joys—like the smell of pumpkin cookies baking or the crisp morning air on a walk. Here’s to a season of balance, renewal, and little habits that hold you steady.
With balance & gratitude,
Judy
PS: If you’re curious about working with a coach to accomplish your goals for the rest of the year and beyond - let’s talk!
Like my newsletter? Don't Keep the Good Stuff to Yourself - Tag Your Friends and Invite Them to Join the Fun! 💌 #ShareTheLove #JoinTheCommunity"
