I am trying to get ahead of the summer’s end blues and Seasonal Affected Disorder that I sometimes wrestle with come Autumn/Winter time. Therefore, I’m having a “Self-Care September”. This will help to refill my cup ready for October when my final year of university begins, as well as be gentle with myself while I’m settling back into work after the summer break.
If you feel like you need this, too, here are some ideas of what you can do to ensure you’re looking after yourself in September and with the coming of the new season:
- Read slowly
- Walk out in nature without distractions or purpose
- Forget about a to-do list, or racing towards goals for a month
- Read Autumn/Winter vibe books
- Journal about your feeling, wants, hopes, fears, past
- Book a session with a therapist or counsellor
- Yin or Restorative Yoga (slower pace, gentle)
- Book a massage or acupuncture session
- Kick and crunch autumn leaves beneath your feet
- Write about your year so far
- Collect the prettiest leaves and put them in your journal
- Plan for October so you feel excited about it
- Plan a solo date of your favourite things
- Watch your favourite films/shows from when you were a kid
- Cuddle with your pet, partner, sibling, parent, carer, friend, or colleague (with their permission!)
- Social media detox (at least turn off notifications and delete them from your phone often)
- Listen to music that makes you want to dance
- Spend less money, and put more towards your dreams/plans for the future
- Organise your space (desk, computer, phone, emails, cupboards, wardrobe, etc.)
- Go to bed early and wake up early (not because of work but because you feel well-rested)
- Guided meditations
- Gentle, guided runs/jogs (to inspire you and keep you company)
- Read a self-help/psychology/spirituality/philosophy book (slowly, focus!)
- Write shoddy poetry (maybe some good poetry, too!)
- Learn a new recipe for some feel-good food
- Make a mood board
- Try out some new outfits that feel good and fit the season
- Bathe with succulent scents
- Get advice and budget for any cost of living changes that will affect you (better to be ready than panic later)
- Play with new hairstyles
- Paint your nails
- Go on a date with someone (friend or otherwise) and have a no phones rule
- Write a list about something
- Take photos of pretty things (first, appreciate the pretty things!)
- Tend to your sleep hygiene (room temperature, clothing, times, caffeine, noise, relaxation etc.)
- List your accomplishments, proud moments, and times when you overcame your fears or surprised yourself
- Compliment someone
- Place your left hand on your heart and your right on my stomach and breath into your hands
- Sit in gratitude for the things you have (don’t just list them or write them, really picture them and smile and be in that feeling)
- Take time to care for your skin, hair, nails, hygiene, etc.
- Intuitive, flowy, self-led yoga where you get lost in your body and give it what it needs instead of following a video and pushing through it
- Eating intuitively and mindfully (instead of watching TV and waffling it down 5x faster than it took to cook it!)
- Talk about your hopes and dreams and life in general with someone you vibe with
- Read poetry slowly
- Draw or paint or doodle
- Sit outside
- Meditate outside
- Journal outside
- Read outside
- Feel the grass between your toes
S. R. Crawford 