Why Fall Holds More Beauty Than Pumpkin Space
I never used to relate to fall, and did not understand my fall-loving friends. No thanks, pumpkin-spice lattes; no thanks, cool weather, viruses and sweaters. Take me back to the days of sundresses, sunbathing and fruit salad!
But after years of being immersed in Chinese medicine, and learning that the body mirrors the rhythms of nature, fall now has a very special place in my heart. In this medicine, Fall is associated with the lung & large intestine organ systems and the element of metal. The associated emotion of these organs is grief…. and even modern biology agrees, as shorter days and changing light cycles naturally shift our mood and energy. In my practice, I tend to hear more people releasing old grief or experiencing change at this time of year. I’ve noticed this coming up repeatedly in my clinic in the past week, and fall has only just begun.
“But Christy,” you ask, “GRIEF! Seriously! Bring me the season of joy! Or productivity! Or abundance! Anything but grief!!”
Hear me out.
This season is full of opportunities - if you’ll allow yourself to receive them. It takes some intentionality, but it is worth it. With the shift into fall, I’m reminding myself to create space for these themes & practices - I really notice the nourishment and alignment that results.
Here are some of my favorite ways to receive the profound gifts of fall:
Practice letting go. Release old clutter or patterns - physical or emotional - that no longer serve you or your life path. The more we lighten our load, the more space we create for what is more deeply aligned. (KonMari, anyone?)
Strengthen boundaries. Fall is the time to clarify what belongs in your life and what doesn’t, so you can move into winter with integrity and alignment. Our lungs and immune system help protect us physically, and clear boundaries protect our energy and well-being. This season is a good time to notice your body’s “yes” and “no.” Your nervous system will tell you what feels safe, nourishing, or depleting, if you’ll listen!
Breathe deeply. Taking slow, nourishing breaths strengthens energy, calms the nervous system, and supports the lungs & immunity. Try placing a hand over your chest or solar plexus, inhaling gently through the nose, and letting your exhale be longer than your inhale. This simple vagal-toning practice signals safety to the body. Acupuncture is also a wonderful way to support the Lungs in fall. Research shows that acupuncture modulates the immune system and keeps your defenses strong, which can help ease your way through seasonal change.
Honor grief, find preciousness. Fall draws us inward. Days shorten, serotonin drops, melatonin rises. Our biology asks us to slow down. This biological shift can stir feelings of sadness or loss as we adjust to less light and to the natural rhythm of endings. If you notice tears or sadness arising more frequently, I encourage you to let them move freely…..because grief is what teaches us what’s precious. On the other side of allowing it, you may be surprised at the deeper capacity for joy you discover there.
Gather the harvest. Fall is the season of harvesting - if we were farmers, I suppose we’d be gathering what had been growing all year! I love how this mirrors the idea from The Gap and The Gain by Dan Sullivan - instead of measuring ourselves against what’s still lacking, we look back and recognize how far we’ve come. Most of us (ahem, guilty) are always looking at what needs to be “fixed” or improved, but we rarely pause to name and celebrate the progress already here. Fall is the perfect time to shift our focus, harvest our growth and wins, and savor that harvest.
These practices nourish the emotional side of fall. In Part 2 of ‘The Opportunities of Fall,’ I’ll share my favorite ways to keep your body strong and resilient as the season deepens. Remember, we cannot actually separate the body & emotions - they are interwoven, one always impacting the other. By working with the emotions & themes of fall, you strengthen your physical health as well.
What is one thing you feel ready to release this fall - maybe a pattern, some old, stuck grief, or some clutter - so there is more room for that which is truly precious to you?
