🍂 Autumn: The Season of Letting Go (and Finding Yourself)

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Because if the trees can let go gracefully, so can we.

Here we are - September has slipped in quietly, and before you know it the shops will be full of pumpkin-spiced everything, oversized scarves, and fairy lights. But let’s pause for a moment. Autumn isn’t just about cosy jumpers and complaining that the heating costs have doubled (although both are real).

Autumn, at its heart, is a season of change. Nature is literally showing us how to let go gracefully. Trees don’t cling desperately to their leaves saying, “But I’ve had them since April!” They release them, trusting the cycle. There’s a lesson there for us - and it’s not just about clearing out that drawer full of tangled phone chargers and three half-dead lip balms.

🍁 Mindset: The Art of Shedding

As a psychotherapist and life coach, I often see people holding on to things far past their expiry date - a relationship, a friendship that drains rather than nourishes, or even a version of themselves that no longer fits. Autumn invites us to shed. Not recklessly, but intentionally.

Ask yourself:

• What am I holding onto that feels heavy?

• If I let this go, what space would open up for me?

  
  

This is not about “reinventing yourself” overnight (I promise, no toxic positivity here). It’s about honouring the natural cycle of release. Because when you put down what no longer serves you, you can finally carry what truly matters.

🍂 Self-Care: More Than Bubble Baths

I’ll be honest, I love a bubble bath. But self-care is not just soaking in lavender oil while worrying about your emails. True self-care this autumn might look like:

• Saying no without guilt (you’re not a 24/7 emotional service centre).

• Switching your phone off at 9pm and actually reading that book you bought six months ago.

• Cooking something warm and nourishing because you deserve more than toast eaten standing up.

• Getting outside for a walk, not for the steps on your smartwatch, but to notice the crunch of leaves underfoot.

  
  

These small acts of care are not indulgences. They’re thriving skills.

🌙 Self-Love: The Cosy Kind

Self-love isn’t about chanting words that make you roll your eyes (stick with the ones you actually believe - that’s where the magic kicks in). It’s about treating yourself with the same kindness you dish out to your best friend when she’s having a wobble. Autumn is the perfect time to practice this “cosy kind of self-love”.

Try this:

• Light a candle and spend five minutes just being, without the pressure to “do”.

• Journal about what you’re proud of from the summer (yes, even if your biggest win was surviving the school holidays).

• Dress for warmth and joy, not Instagram.

  
  

Because honestly, who cares if your socks match, as long as your soul feels snug? 🧦✨

💡 A Gentle Nudge

This season can stir up a lot - endings, beginnings, the reminder that time moves whether we like it or not. If you’re finding yourself wrestling with change, feeling stuck, or just craving more meaning, know this: you don’t have to do it alone.

My work as a psychotherapist and life coach is all about helping people move through these seasons of life with courage, clarity, and a bit of humour. If that sounds like the support you need right now, I’d love to hear from you.

So, here’s to autumn - a season that whispers: let go, slow down, and trust that you’re still growing, even when it looks like you’re not. 🍂

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. I hope it offered something useful or thought-provoking for your day. If you found it helpful, I’d really appreciate it if you shared it with someone who might benefit from it too. It's a simple way to show care and support for those around you.

Really glad to have you here - see you next time!

With gratitude,

Lavinia

Psychotherapist & Curious Human