The First Exploration into the Fall Season
Sharing prep & first impressions of the slower seasons post-mom
This month last year was the beginning of the end.
September 2022 was just hinting at the uninterrupted chaos that was to come, until it all would abruptly stop.
But way before my mom’s journey came to an end, every week was filled with errands and decorating the inside and outside of the house.
Grocery runs to cook sides for the holidays, hunting for new wreaths and centerpieces, shopping for gifts…
This is the first year I actually get to really slow down during the colder months.
I can shop for gifts on Amazon, Etsy, or anywhere else virtual. And everyone has begun to get tired of the holiday meal prep of Thanksgiving and Christmas past (less food, smaller portions… possibly another attempt at getting holiday food delivered).
Decorating the interior and exterior of the house was never something I enjoyed doing. So unless my dad wants to do more, I’ll switch out mom’s golden bowl of mini sunflowers on the dining room table with a splatter of fake fall leaves (if I can remember where she put them).
As someone who adores the never-ending daylight and frying in the sun, I usually get very anxious and bummed by the time September comes. I’m always scared of the last day I experience weather that’s above 75 degrees Fahrenheit1 because I won’t experience it again for a good seven or eight months.
But now that the nucleus of our busy holiday seasons is gone, so is my task list—which revolved around hers.
Who am I in the colder months when I’m not in the shadows of my mom?
Until this year, I had gotten used to moving at the same speed all year around. Not too slow or fast, but always constant. Busy.
This year, my summer was alive and filled with so much love, excitement, and memories made with loved ones. Seemingly nonstop at times!
It’s been beautiful, and, I can now see why people would willingly be ready to slow down with the season(s) following.
Working toward creating a life where I can sustain myself, I wonder if I’d be a person who’d typically take a lot of the summer off, or reduce my work schedule after experiencing such a different summer this year.
I also wonder if the colder months will bring me more intimately to my work.
We’ve only just stepped into fall officially, but so far? I’ve embraced the gradual changes of this newly-experienced season.
Summer was FAST!
Energized!
Busy!
Spring was its own roller coaster with my first cruise 12 hours after my grandpa’s death, along with witnessing his rapid decline.
When mom was still alive–especially when things were getting worse–I made a playlist of workouts that were five minutes or less to do when I could find the time.
In longer workout videos, I’d rapidly tap the screen as soon as the person stilled and began explaining correct postures or their new beginner’s program.
Incessantly in my mind: Time. Was. FLEETING.
But it’s not even a full week into fall this year and I’ve already noticed how I now do workout videos from start to finish.
No more, “there’s no time!!” screaming in my head.
No more underlying exhaustion from all the holiday prep.
No more keeping up with anything. There’s nothing I have to “catch up” to anymore.
And it’s been… really nice so far.
Despite this very new revelation, I still started a list over a month ago to hopefully help ease me into fall with a little more vigor.
I definitely still may need it, and who’s to say it wouldn’t come in handy for you, too?
Here’s what I have in my arsenal so far:
● Steel-cut oats and fruit compote (inspired by jnaydaily’s vlog):
● Meat and rice meals
● Daylight bulbs/lamps for SAD
● Simple “I’m basically wearing a blanket outside” outfits (oversized hoodies and sweatshirts, extra long thick knit cardigans, fleece leggings…)
● Trader Joe’s clam chowder (with oyster crackers) in the tub
● BBQ pulled pork nachos
● Homemade blueberry “topping” or “filling” for pancakes, oatmeal, and more
● Brothy beans (with butter beans and crusty bread pan-fried in olive oil!)
● Tomato soup, onion, chicken, and rice dish
● Brown butter butternut squash
● HOARDING honeynut squash (if I can find any this year!!)
Prepping myself to GROW honey nut squash in the Spring :)
● Making chili for the first time on my own (gonna try to make it as good as mom’s)
Clearly, I have a thing for food, haha. It’s a running list, so it could always use some additional resources. :)
Let me know…
What’s one thing you enjoy about fall, and one thing you enjoy about winter?
We need to keep building up this list!
And share this post with anyone else who wants to prepare for the slower, colder seasons a bit more this year, too.
Alright, see you soon.
Warmly,
Cierra M
A little under 24 degrees Celcius