Welcome to the Season of Cozy: A Fall Newsletter

Take a deep breath. Can you smell it? That crisp, earthy aroma of dry leaves, woodsmoke, and a hint of cinnamon? Happy Fall! The air is turning sharper, the days are getting shorter, and the world is inviting us all to slow down, cozy up, and reflect.

Fall is a time of incredible transformation and beauty. 

The vibrant colors we see aren’t just a pretty sight; they’re a gentle, vivid reminder that letting go—like the trees dropping their leaves—is a necessary, natural, and beautiful part of life.

Did You Know? A Fall Birthday Boom!

Speaking of life’s beautiful changes, did you know that the fall months are a truly popular time for birthdays, especially for women in our community? It’s true! More than 25% of women over 50 have their birthdays in the fall! If you or a friend is celebrating a birthday among the golden leaves, we wish you the happiest of days and a year ahead filled with warmth, health, and joy.

The Autumn Harvest: What Did We Cultivate This Year?

When we think of fall, we naturally think of the harvest. Farmers are gathering the fruits of their labor, bringing in corn, apples, and pumpkins. It is the culmination of a year of planting, tending, watering, and hard work.

This seasonal concept of harvest is a beautiful metaphor for our own lives, and especially for our habits and wellness. As we stand on the threshold of the last quarter of the year, this is the perfect time to look back and ask: What did I harvest this year?

Did you plant seeds of better sleep? Perhaps you’re harvesting a greater sense of energy and mental clarity now.

Did you commit to mindful movement? The harvest is likely a stronger body, less stiffness, and more confidence.

Did you weed out negative self-talk? Your reward is a harvest of greater self-compassion and inner peace.

Don't judge the size of your harvest—celebrate its existence. Even the smallest change, like consistently drinking more water or taking five minutes to meditate, is a successful crop. Acknowledge and appreciate the positive efforts you made over the last nine months. What you celebrate, you cultivate!

Nourishing Your Roots: Tips for the Journey Ahead

As the light diminishes, our natural instinct is to turn inward. This is crucial because the fall season is our runway straight into the holiday season. We all know that busy, exciting, and sometimes stressful period is right around the corner.

To move through fall with grace and maintain your beautiful harvest of wellness, here are a few gentle tips for nurturing your inner self—your 'jrakth' (a term used in some cultures to mean the essence or spirit that sustains you):

Embrace the Cooldown: Just as nature slows down, give yourself permission to do the same. Schedule “white space” in your calendar—time with no demands. Use this time for reading, gentle stretching, or simply watching the leaves fall. Your inner 'jrakth' needs quiet to restore itself.

Practice Habit Stacking: The holiday season will test your routines. Instead of trying to start a new habit, stack a good one onto an existing one. For example: “After I make my morning tea (existing habit), I will do ten deep breaths (new habit).” This makes your wellness routines sticky and resilient to the coming chaos.

Prioritize Protein at Every Meal: As the days get cooler and we crave heavier, comforting foods, make sure you are grounding every meal with a source of protein. This helps stabilize blood sugar, manage cravings, and provides the sustained energy you need to handle holiday preparations without that afternoon slump.

Connect with Gratitude Daily: Before bed, write down three things you are genuinely grateful for. This simple practice shifts your focus from what you have to do to what you have. A positive perspective is the ultimate inner shield against stress.

We look forward to helping you navigate this incredible time of year. May your days be filled with warmth, reflection, and abundant health.

Expanding the Harvest: 

A Deeper Reflection on Habits and Wellness

The beauty of the harvest metaphor is that it forces us to confront an essential truth about our lives: everything we have today is a result of the seeds we planted yesterday.

We often get caught up in New Year's resolutions or sudden, dramatic shifts. However, true, lasting wellness—the kind that makes a noticeable difference in how we feel every morning—is built on the daily, often mundane, act of tending to small habits.

Let’s take a moment to look at three key areas of life where your daily efforts have truly grown into a worthwhile harvest:

1. The Harvest of Movement: More Than Just Mileage

When you look back at your physical activity this year, don't just tally up the number of gym visits or miles walked. Look for the qualitative changes—the signs of a deeper, more rooted physical wellness.

Did you plant the seed of consistency? Maybe you didn't run a marathon, but you successfully moved your body for at least 15 minutes, five days a week. The harvest here is reduced chronic pain, better balance, and an increase in functional strength. The ability to effortlessly lift a heavy grocery bag or bend down to tie your shoes without a groan—that is the true, valuable crop of consistency.

Did you plant the seed of listening? 

Perhaps you skipped a high-intensity workout in favor of a restorative yoga session when your body was begging for rest. The harvest here is injury prevention and a deeper connection to your body's wisdom. You've cultivated self-trust over self-criticism.

The takeaway? Celebrate the movement that felt good, not just the movement that looked impressive.

2. The Harvest of Mindset: Weeding the Inner Garden

Our thoughts are powerful, persistent weeds or nurturing flowers. What did you cultivate in the garden of your mind this year? This harvest is often the least visible, but the most foundational.

Did you plant the seed of boundary setting? 

Perhaps you finally said "no" to an obligation that would have drained your energy, or you established a rule of no work emails after 7 PM. The harvest is mental clarity and a protected personal energy reserve. This is the capital you need to be fully present and engaged in the coming holiday season.

Did you plant the seed of self-compassion? 

When you made a mistake, did you catch yourself before launching into a self-critical attack? Did you offer yourself the same grace you would offer a best friend? The harvest here is emotional resilience. When life inevitably throws a curveball, this mental strength allows you to bounce back faster without spiraling into despair. It’s the difference between a tough day and a tough week.

This year’s harvest isn't about perfection; it’s about recognizing the progress you’ve made in shifting your mental landscape toward kindness and protection.

3. The Harvest of Nourishment: Fueling Your Roots

Food is central to our culture, our celebrations, and our daily lives. The harvest of nourishment is not measured by the number on the scale, but by your relationship with the food you eat and how it supports your long-term vitality.

Did you plant the seed of mindful eating? Instead of eating quickly while scrolling, did you intentionally sit down and truly taste your meals, stopping when you felt satisfied? The harvest is improved digestion, a calmer nervous system, and freedom from the dieting cycle.

Did you plant the seed of consistent hydration? 

That simple act of drinking enough water every day, especially during warmer months, supports everything from cognitive function to joint health. The harvest is often fewer headaches, brighter skin, and more stable energy levels.

As you move through the fall, use this reflection to be your guide. Don't start a whole new set of punishing habits; instead, double down on the seeds that have already sprouted and proven successful. 

Give those healthy, thriving habits extra attention and care—they are your strength for the busy months ahead.

With Warmest Wishes.
Sharon North Pohl

You are Just One Zesty Change Away!