The Seasonal Shift: A Survival Guide

The Shift to Comfort Mode

As we've transitioned from Summer to Fall, the days get shorter and the sunlight starts to fade. It’s so easy for your mood to mimic the weather outside and slip into "hibernation mode." Have you noticed yourself craving heavy, comforting foods instead of those light salads you loved when it was 70 degrees? I’m guilty of it, too—wanting to be in bed by 7:00 PM. But a few years ago, once I finally put a name to it—Seasonal Depression—I made a conscious decision to overcome it. Every year since, I’ve gotten better.

Structure is Fuel

Keep a routine! Your brain needs structure. Small tasks trigger "motivation mode," giving you those dopamine hits that keep you excited. (I’ve written before about giving your days direction—check that out here).

Move Your Body

You have to MOVE! I’m coming up on three years strong in my pilates journey, but I’ll definitely miss my outdoor walks. My plan? Using my walking pad while catching up on TV. Whether it’s a full workout or a slow stroll, we need that movement.

The Power of Intentionality

Accountability is everything: Do what you said you were going to do. This can be big or small. Maybe it’s carving out 30 minutes to journal before bed, challenging yourself to wake up early, or actually getting to sleep before 11:00 PM. It’s about being intentional with your time—even if that means scheduling "pockets of peace" for a sacred cat nap or phoning a friend.

Don’t Sit Still

The goal is to stay busy. Will I be as active as I was in the summer? Let’s be real—NO. But what I won't do is sit still and corrode on the couch just because it’s dark at 5:00 PM. I refuse to let gloomy days dictate my mood or shut the world out. My "Sip Trips" will prevail until it’s 40 below! I have goals and I have dreams, and I won't let the devil win.

Gentleness & Gratitude

I’ll be honest: I am extremely emotional during this time. I’ve been grieving the anniversary of losing my grandma, which comes right on the heels of losing two of my brothers this past summer. Between that and the natural reflection that happens at the end of the year, it’s a lot. But my practice of gratitude is getting stronger because I’ve learned the most important lesson: how to be gentle with myself.

The days may be getting darker, but your light doesn't have to fade with the sun. What’s one small goal you’re committing to this week to keep your momentum going?