As the seasons change I feel my energy ebb and flow. In some ways Autumn causes me to retreat inward, to crave stillness and quiet reflection. But in other ways autumn completely energizes me.
Becoming aware of my natural inclination toward hibernation in the cooler months has grounded me in unexpected ways and it informs the way I plan everything from my work schedule to my vacations. I anticipate that I will have the most creative energy when I wake early, while it's dark and the world is still quiet. Building the morning's first fire in the wood stove and walking the dogs in the fog as the sun rises sets the tone for my day during this time of the year. As the weather warms, my rituals change.
So my quest is to be present to the energetic shifts in each season, to find ways to enjoy and engage my senses in whatever the season has to offer. Autumn has me cooking, making, reading poetry, and taking photos, all of which help me slow down and pay attention when so often I am distracted. So I'm always searching for little ways to extract inspiration anywhere I can.
Where I'm finding creative inspiration this autumn:
- This poem by Mary Oliver:
- I made sparkling apple cider floats thinking I had created the best seasonal drink ever only to find 20,000 other people had created them first. There are seriously no new ideas.
- Is this the most beautiful cake you've ever seen? This season makes me want to do caramel-upside-down-every-fruit cakes.
- This way to use up all the expiring veggies in my fridge.
- Maybe I'm just being nostalgic for the 1970s but this book is so inspiring right now.
- Again with the 1970s. She was my style icon in the 6th grade and she still is.
- These photos of mushrooms.
- I'm immersing myself into the process of creating my first online course called The Unfolding. I think unfolding is perhaps the perfect way to describe my transition into midlife and I'm excited to explore this topic with other likeminded women in the coming year.
Where do you find creative inspiration in your daily life? What is inspiring you this autumn?
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