#030: The Season of Shedding. Rid yourself of the clutter.

September, ahhh September.

This year, more than in recent memory, the air feels charged with change. Summer didn’t fade politely - it slammed the door, flicked off the light, and left Autumn standing at the threshold, with black tights, an umbrella and my beloved jumpers. And I think I’m ok with it.

Over the weekend I found myself pottering. My all time favourite activity. Shuffling furniture an inch here, a cushion there. Gathering the endless piles of “stuff” that had silently grown and multiplied over the summer months. The bags, the toys, the receipts, the unread magazines, the paper piles that for months I had promised that today would be the day - all the tiny traces of a season that, in its glorious, hedonistic chaos, didn’t leave much room for pause or for me. I decluttered, filled bags for charity shops, tidied, made little pockets of calm in corners of the house. And in doing so, I realised: I’m entering a season of shedding.

It feels like I’m being called to rid myself of the clutter; to shake it off. Not just the physical kind, but the mental stacks too. The ‘to-do’s’ that never got done, the expectations of squeezing every ounce of magic out of the summer days, the need to be everywhere and see everyone, the pressure to create “core memories” while juggling deadlines, emails, and kids with an endless appetite for snacks and adventure.

I’ve checked in with friends and many are feeling it too - the reset. But this time it isn’t about gearing up. It’s about slowing down. Saying yes less, and no more. Trusting the deep knowing that we don’t have to keep sprinting. Autumn, with its golden light, cool mornings, and excuses to burn the best candles (life is short, always, always burn the best candles), invites us to soften our pace. To sink into rhythm. To gather our energy and focus, ready for what’s ahead.

So I’m easing myself into it gently. Slowly. Making space, not to fill it immediately, but to embrace a slower pace. To notice myself again, to honour my wants, needs and desires, without the noise. Without it being about anyone else.

I’m remembering that growth doesn’t always come from pushing harder or from trying to cram more into a day. Sometimes it comes from pulling back, clearing out, and choosing with intention what deserves to stay.

That’s what I’m choosing to focus on now: building habits that are about me. The ones that support my body, steady my mind, and give me back to myself. This month, I’ll be looking at two in particular: creating space for meditation and shaping an exercise routine that feels realistic and nourishing. 

I’d love to hear what you’re shedding this season and what new habits you’re building. Hit reply and let me know.

Love,Valerie x