In the spirit of addressing the many layers of being a woman today, I am trying to do my best to discuss mental health and womanhood more often. My sincere hope is that by continuing to give it some room with this tab, it will help you remember that you aren’t alone and are supported. Today, Astrid shares a few tips to help us end the summer. Astrid Schmidt LCSW-R is a psychotherapist, jewelry designer and mama living in NYC. She helps women transform their lives. Find out more on instagram.
—————————————–
We can feel the end of summer lingering. The days are slow and warm, yet growing shorter as the sun continues to retreat.
As we prepare to change the energetic channel in September, it can be helpful to meet this transition with a bit of conscious reflection and planning.
1. Over the next week or two, take some time to review. Summer is an expansive time, and it often brings it’s own kind of inner work. The full light of the sun seems to shine awareness into hidden aspects of Self. Maybe you experienced significant revelations, unexpected events, even grief. Perhaps you blossomed and bloomed in ways that surprised you. What did you learn about yourself this summer? What came up for you? What were the meaningful themes?
2. Take advantage of the warmth….soak it up now. Be with what is. Go for leisurely strolls, walk in the sun, go to the beach, or head to your favorite park to lay on the grass. Gather up all the light that you can, without clinging to it, and keep it close to your heart. Draw from that warmth as the days ahead begin to cool.
3. Clean and organize. Around the end of August, set a day to clean out your closets, pantry, fridge etc. Rearrange furniture. Clear out the stale energy. Smudge. Refreshing your home is a beautiful way to honor the seasonal shift.
We intuitively crave beauty and meaning. Bringing action, reflection and reverence to the process of change grounds anxiety and puts us in deeper relationship to a meaningful life. Being proactive helps us feel inwardly more sturdy, as we shore up our resources and prepare for the winter ahead..
Keeping this pinned to my office bulletin board!
Beautiful reminders! Thank you.
End of summer sadness is in the air. Great tips to prepare for the new season.
It is totally a bittersweet time for sure! But I do love the feel of routine that the fall brings. I also can’t believe how fast it went! And I say this every year, but I think camp for River, made it speed on by!
Good reminder! August can me such a tough month with transitions and all that.
Hey Christine, I find the last week (into Labor Day) to always be super difficult. I really hope these tips help!
xo
this is a wonderful “to-do” list for end of summer. never thought to do a summer cleaning but it makes sooo much sense.
Hi Adalhi!
I spent last week doing this after my own therapy (before even reading what Astrid sent over to me) and it helps SO MUCH. I felt and feel more grounded. I have a weekend list to buy more shelves for the closet (to organize next week!) and have my to-organize/ to-clean list is done. I also spent a few days organizing my bills. Which always feels like such a big task, but in the end made me feel SO SO free. Just little things to get on track if you have some time. xo
L
Your blog is one of my favorites. Thank you for this
Stella, Thank you for writing that! Its really good to read!
Sending love
LaTonya
The past few days I’ve been buying a lot of indoor plants. Trying to carry the green into the fall and winter.
Hi Steph,
I do this too! Its been a habit of mine. It really does help prepare for the winter. Good luck!
Thank you so much for sharing these tips! I will definitely be doing some of this as summer ends. It’s a nice take on harvesting at the end of summer in our more urban, less-agrarian lives. We reap the light and growth within ourselves as much as anything else.
Megan,
I’m so excited you’ll be trying them! And of course I love your words.
Thank you for sharing.
xo
LaTonya
I love the idea of a “fall cleaning”. Such a thoughtful way to honor the transitioning season.
Hi Hilary!
Yes! We always hear about spring, but there is such a heavy transition from summer to fall, so I almost think its even more important. Let me know if you give it a shot! xo
Love this. Good reminders!
Love these simple but important reminders. Thank you .
So lovely. I’ll be taking more intention with me into the coming weeks and try to appreciate each season’s highs and lows. Thanks for this!
These last two weeks always make me so anxious and panicky, i will definitely be following these tips xx
This is an EXCELLENT and timely post! I thought to myself just yesterday that I need to do an end-of-Summer cleanse of my apartment during Labor Day weekend. Taking cliff notes from this post. Kudos.
I started this preparation for the fall, funny enough, in the beginning of summer because life with a toddler and 8yo is cray cray. As August passes I’m feeling the anxiety of “running out of time” and then I remind myself it might even be easier once my oldest isn’t in school. And I calm myself down!!!
My kids go back to school on August 20th (tomorrow!) So two weeks ago I already started preparing for school, for Autumn. Together with the kids I pulled out all their clothes and we donated whatever was too small. I think it’s important when children are older that they partake in these seasonal rituals. We did the same with their toys. I can see that they feel a new season is coming, mostly because they participated in preparing for it.
Love all of these suggestions, and your blog:-)
I’m transitioning myself and two babies under two from a studio to a duplex and I’m overwhelmed by what I have to accomplish in the next 4 weeks. We are moving into a larger space but I feel the need to down size my things even more. I don’t want to keep stuff “just in case” or if it’s not my favorite or useful. It has to go. The less you own the less you have to organize.I just want things simple since my home life is so loud and busy. Will be using these tips in the coming weeks for sure thank you.
Thank you so much for this post! Now I know that I’m not the only one that feels down every autumn.