Summer ended on September 21st, and the Autumnal equinox has begun! This is really just a fancy way of saying that September is more of a time of transition than many people anticipate. Some of you might be thinking “I’m not in school or involved in the school system, so this doesn’t really apply to me” and for many of you, this might be true. However, almost all of us are involved in a system of some kind that revolves around the school year, especially in the greater Boston area, which is highly focused on education systems. Fall is BIG around here.
All of this is to say that none of us are immune to the changes and adjustments that happen in September. These changes could be large or small: observing the moving trucks and dodging debris on the sidewalks on September 1st, the daylight hours starting to trim down, the quality of the light and leaves starting to change, job changes or turnover at work, putting the kids in daycare or school, taking a night class, reconnecting with friends after a busy summer, etc. The list goes on and on. So, what are some things we can do to manage these adjustments?
Take a moment to pause and reflect on the changes in your life, whether big or small, since the “official” end of summer. What are they? How have you managed? Has it felt obvious or has it been more of a creeping change?
Notice changes in mood and new roadblocks or barriers - how do you feel about the transition into fall? Have you associated this time of year with anything in your past? These are great things to bring up in therapy!
Give yourself some space to figure it out - adjustments take a while, so it can be a helpful reminder that you won’t have it all sorted out right away, even though your calendar or to-do list may seem to be telling you otherwise.
Celebrate - change is hard, which is why it’s important to celebrate incremental adjustments. Take a pause and notice if there is something that felt difficult at the beginning of the month that feels a little easier for you today.
Here’s hoping that you notice, provide some space and compassion for yourself, and celebrate the transitions you are making in your life this month - they are part of what makes us human!
Jamie Cohen, MA, earned her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Lesley University. She considers herself a career-changer with a little over a decade of previous experiences in startup, agency, corporate and nonprofit work environments, so she understands many of the stressors that come with balancing personal and professional expectations and identities.
Jamie takes a collaborative approach to counseling and will start any new therapeutic relationship by talking with her clients about what they are hoping to get out of therapy.
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