Your autumn self care guidance is here!

AUTUMN IS FINALLY HERE !
 Okay, if you can't already tell by the shouty capitals ,this is actually one of my fave seasons (it's a clear tie between spring!)- not only because of the beautiful fall colours ,but also the beautiful metaphor for change it represents. There's something poetic in the way the transitional change is done so elegantly ,only to come back full force in the spring refreshed !

 Bringing me onto my hope for you with this blog post- that you may read it & leave feeling inspired for a new perspective as it gets a little colder (for all my Scottish people for sure anyway !). Let's break it down into too parts, since any self-care is both INTERNAL & EXTERNAL , starting with the internal.

 As the weather gets that little bit colder & the daylight hours dwindle, it's important now more than ever to check-in with how you're feeling. That can even mean sometimes taking an entire mental-health day or self-care day - something collectively the world needs to work on eradicating shame around doing! During a recent training for my therapy course, there was a discussion around how we distract ourselves from actually checking in with ourselves by always checking in with others first..are you prone to doing this? Definitely personally aware this is a work-in-progress for myself ! You as a 'being' deserve your kindness, love, energy & affection included in one of your most valuable relationships. There are little rituals you can start practicing to help with nurturing your internal self-care , such as spending time with just you for maybe 15 mins to start with first thing in the morning where either journaling any thoughts & feelings that come up or reconnecting with yourself on a nature walk / drinking your fave hot drink can be really cathartic. Hands down one of my fave journals ever has to be this guided '5 minute journal' which I've tried & tested many a time!!! If you are someone who is finding consistently low moods or self-destructive patterns a theme ,or even if you're just curious about learning more about yourself /increasing self-awareness- I cannot recommend therapy enough too! ( see my earlier blog entry here on different types of therapy!).

  On the note of internal monitoring ,how are you feeling after spending time with your friends right now ? How about after you’ve been on your phone ? Re-evaluating my influences & also what I expose myself to is something I do every season to ‘refresh’ my mental/emotional wellness. That can mean adjusting who you consider your 'tribe' in friendships /editing what accounts you choose to follow online. Some of the most empowering online spaces for me right now are accounts such as ‘Women of Impact’ & also stocking up on strong audible titles such as any of ‘Brene Brown’s’ books (a strong fave has to be ‘the Gift of Imperfection’). Remember, when choosing something that truly speaks to you - firstly think about what you’re going through right now & make your decision in relation to someone who’s written /created around helping with that topic ❣️

   Moving onto the external ...fall is most popularly known for 2 things : spice & JUMPERS! So it would only be fitting that i include some of my fave sustainable jumper brands for you to keep cosy as well as scented home ideas! Even if you don't fancy forking out for 100% sustainable clothing, another great way to be more planet-friendly is buying new-condition, second hand on either depop or vinted apps. My top 3 sustainable brands right now are TALA , Neu Apparel & NA-KD .

 Is it REALLY autumn if it doesn’t include mentioning pumpkin spice everything ?! 😉 Joking aside ,spices that will really aid your body especially in the changing weather is any natural mixed spice - I’m using ginger for when I feel sick or when it’s my time of month , as it’s a natural anti-sickness remedy. It’s tempting to try every autumn seasonal drink all the coffee shops start offering ,however ask for less pumps of their syrup /try their sugar-free versions & your body & mood will thank you for it while you still get the autumnL treat! ...While wearing your cosy jumpers of course 😏!

  I’m a huge fan of scented candles right now - vanilla is pretty much an all season staple right ?! (A recently discovered organic candle brand JI'm adoring this season is "Sand and Fog"!). Filling your home with warm ,relaxing scents (yes, even the pumpkin spice is worth a try;) ) will help encourage you to switch off more easily ! However don’t forget to try exploring the outside colours of your go-to walks to snap some naturally pretty pics !

  J & I are actually using every new season to touch up something new in the flat -this season we’re creating a warmer more relaxed atmosphere with a ‘cappuccino foam’ paint in the hallway & spare room (a.k.a ‘the Abi sanctuary’ aha!) - don’t worry I’ll keep you posted on progress! Taking stock of what’s around you & what no longer brings you joy or peace means it’s okay to let go of some of our physical belongings too - promise spending more attention on your spaces/ environments will boost your self-care levels so much higher❣️

  As always I aim to offer a safe supportive space in all of the online communities I’m part of , meaning I’d love to hear from you about how you are or what fall adventures you’ve been having too :) (see below to connect more!)


     With love ,light & all the higher self-care,


  Abs Xo

 
Coming soon... 'Value-mapping' for making life decisions clearer!
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