More than any other season, I prefer autumn: the cooler temperatures, thunderstorms, the colourful leaves which create the need for sweaters, blankets and evenings by the fire. The best part is the return to routine after the spontaneity of summer. Though, it looks like now that all of my kids have lives of their own, there is no rush to routine other than my own desire for it to be part of my days. The idea that I could live a completely spontaneous life is a bit unnerving. I am a creature of habit and crave structure.
Claire has moved to Halifax to establish a life there. Cole is in his final year at the University of Toronto making plans for his next steps. Chloé has returned to Edinburgh with a new more positive attitude. Caden is also at UofT enjoying his new course of study. I enjoy receiving the occasional message, FaceTime call and sometimes visit – I still have the pups, they are a great draw.
What do I have planned for the next three months? Nothing too new. Any big plans made were on the calendar months ago, I’ve added very little outside of regular maintenance and chores. I’m embracing the lessons of this summer where I fully incorporated my word of the year: SLOW. I do have some plans that require a bit of preparation and travel but for the most part, I’m going to continue to spend more time in quiet contemplation and less time doing:
Take a deep breath and write a list | I had my second coaching call with the thoughtful and observant Jenn Lewis. It’s clearly come time for me to visit my happy place: daydreaming, list-making and calendar planning. What do I most desire in my life? I am in such an incredible space, deep calm and completely in flow, I often wonder how it gets better than this? I’ll only know when I make space for it. I’ve enjoyed a full couple of years (I dislike the word “busy”) and feel little desire to do much more for the next while. Certainly no more big projects. I’m tired and need to respect what my body and mind are telling me – and be happy with all that I have accomplished. It’s okay to course correct and let go of things I was “sure” I wanted to make way for other things. Time to grow and let go.
Promoting my online shop | Recently, I populated a store over at Redbubble with the 10 images I wanted to turn into products (scarves, notebooks, pouches, and more – 22 products available for each image). I ordered a number of my items to check on the quality. I am so pleased! Now to spend some time on it – maybe add in special items for the season? Let me know if you like what you see.
Travel to the West Coast | I am excited to see (in person) the people I know from online at a much-anticipated event in LaJolla for a couple of days. That will be followed by a few days in Whistler (a place I’ve never been!) to hole away and write and relax at my own personal one-on-one writing retreat. Then to Vancouver to participate in an event with Danielle LaPorte. Tons of inspiration to be found in a short period of time. I’m up for it!
Local Workshop and Events | I have tickets for the Mirvish theatre season in Toronto which looks to have a great lineup this season. Also, tickets are secured for the “In Conversation With …” series at the Oakville Centre (OMG – Ann Patchett and Salman Rushdie and others!). And, BIG news: not only am I attending a few workshops but I am going to FACILITATE one as well! It’s been a while since I’ve run one but fully expect to be totally pumped up after my West Coast trip. I’ve booked The Space Oakville for a weekend of discovery. I’m looking forward to assisting eight ladies dig deep to find their core desired feelings (aka heart compass) by way of a Desire Map Workshop.
* Binge watch a series or two | I watched The Good Fight over the summer and season 1 and 2 were as good as promised by the rave reviews. Lets hope the upcoming season 4 is more like the first two! (Season 3 was dreadful.) I hope to be watching the other shows on the summer list (Unforgotten, Catastrophe, Fleabag, National Treasure, After Life) as well as a few recent recommendations, specifically Unbelievable with Toni Collette.
Clear the clutter | I thought I’d first address my kids rooms, do a bit of a purge and tidy then I realized it’s not necessary. Those rooms are pretty much cleaned out and are ready to be turned into adult spaces – since they’re all adults now, right? The issue is ME. I need to clear the furnace room and work my way through a couple of other “trouble spots” in the house: my office and my studio. It’s time to purge what no longer serves me. I’ve done so much “me” work in the last few years I don’t need to hold on to all of the materials that helped me get to where I am now. It’s time to make space for what’s next.
New Fitness Plan | Jackie has opened up her new studio (I’m so happy for her!) which means no more private training for me. I’m hoping to join the Pickleball league at the Oakville Club and AquaFit at the YMCA. Who knows? Maybe a more social environment will be good for me. In the meantime I’ll be in my basement walking on my treadmill, rowing on the machine and jumping on the mini-trampoline – as well as using the Bosu and exercise balls – every day. I don’t want to lose my momentum.
* Returns from the summer list as it was so much fun.
Lesson from the summer: unplugging was wonderful, it’s time to do more of it.
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This list will be added as a complement to my regular practice of:
Walking the dogs
Sleeping a full 8+ hours every night
Daily meditation, journalling and oracle card pull
Reading novels – not just articles, non-fiction and self-help books
* Regular blogging and memory keeping projects
* Daily writing toward the completion of my novel-in-progress
* Household chores and projects (which has a list of its own)
Regular lunch and dinner dates with girlfriends and family
* These things are all under review – part of my Take a Deep Breath project for Autumn
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What are you up to this autumn? What is part of your routine or are you the spontaneous type?
