fall transitions

Transition- noun Tran·​si·​tion|tran(t)-ˈsi-shən
a: passage from one state, stage, subject, or place to another : CHANGE
b: a movement, development, or evolution from one form, stage, or style to another

Who am I? Who have I become? These are some of the existential questions brewing in my mind this season. Life is a never-ending cascade of transitions, and this fall I get to experience another, the “empty-nest”.  I originally grasped, forced, and all but jumped off the what-now cliff head first! Thankfully, my attempts to rush into replacement mode went belly-up.

I’m grateful for a pause. The "what’s next?" pause. Although, I won’t lie, this hesitation and shift in my identity at times feels like impending doom and I’m eating my share of anxiety pie. I’m making slow progress towards “the next thing”, “the new thing”, “the same thing with greater devotion perhaps”. It’s no mistake that the most helpful practices that are enabling me to lean into this transition with curiosity, acceptance, and grace, are movement and stillness.

Movement through running as I train for a half marathon (my first in 12 years), and stillness with stretch, meditation, and fascia release sessions. As I run, I let go of regrets. Regrets of how I mothered, if I did enough, if I did too much, how I should be further along in my career, how my IRA and 401k should be bigger, and everything in between. Mile by mile I listen, question the viability of my doubts, and offer them up. I give my worries and fears away to the universe. I let go of what's no longer serving me, tune into a deeper inner-understanding, and know that I did my very best. Today I stand proud, tall, and strong as a mother warrior with indomitable will.

As I come up for air post chaotic child-raising season, I’ll continue sharing what I know to be true for me: when I move more, I react less and respond with greater intention. When I listen deeply, I learn what I need to help show up as the best me. And when I maintain a strong core, I reserve an inner resiliency that’s unstoppable.  

Mindful Movement invites you to ask yourself: “what do you need during this transition of waning sunlight and the Earth’s darkening season- where she’ll turn inward and rest?”