Soup Season vs. Disorienting Distractions
Fall is very much in the air here in the Northern Hemisphere—literally and figuratively. The breeze feels a bit more freshhh; the vibe is a little less Go Go Go; the sun is setting early enough to want to revert to all things Cozy and Calm.
That said, because I have the great privilege of living by the sea, there are still warm days (a blessing!) alongside a resurgence of ruthless mosquitoes (a nuisance!). Some days are chilly and all I want to do is make and eat soup, other days feel like summer stuck around and I crave a constant stream of cool sparkling water with lime.
So even though I find Fall to be a lovely time for grounding and letting go / letting be (Nature is the best example of this), I’ve found myself a bit discombobulated from the shifting temperatures, social media overload, and news-induced emotional overwhelm.
And if you know anything about any of this: I’m primarily Vata dosha in Ayurveda, a Projector in Human Design, and an Aquarius in Astrology—which basically means lots of air, sensitivity, unconventional views and choices, and general flightiness.
In other words: Feeling rooted doesn’t come super naturally to me. It’s something I intentionally work on, and it’s something that gets easily exacerbated by excess stimulation—whether it’s construction noise while I’m working, cold winds, feeling hungry (hangry), disturbing headlines, or simply doing too many things at once.
Talking with a few friends recently, I know I’m not the only one who feels this way—whether or not they align with my personal astrological or Ayurvedic constitutions 🙂
As such, in October we’ll explore tools to feel rooted in body and mind—which I find especially helpful before the crisp and airy months of winter arrive.
This goes beyond soups and teas (both delightful!) by getting rooted in both the body and headspace. This grounded physical and mental state can prepare us to approach the holiday season and new year from a place of, well, rootedness.
Re: Rooted, see also: Steadiness, presence, trust, clarity.
October: Roots
For the following 4 weeks of the month, here’s what I plan for us to peruse together:
Food.
Easy, simple, and nourishing meals—both seasonal and year-round. Supports health and happiness (interrelated!).
Mental Wellbeing & Authenticity.
A look at how to stay true to yourself when everything / everyone seems to be telling you what you “should” do, say, eat, avoid, etc. I’ll share resources that have supported me in my own WTF moments—like when every topic feels like it could be a potential trigger, or when I’m wondering if I’m doing “enough.” Instead of adding to said noise, my hope is to empower you with practical tools to observe clearly and turn inward.
Movement.
Yoga and functional movement practices to feel steady and connected to your physical roots—including yoga for neck pain and yoga for jet lag apropos of potential holiday travels and buzz. Supports groundedness, restoration, and resilience.
Mindfulness.
Simple mindfulness practices to cultivate physical, mental, and emotional roots. It’s invaluable to know how to practice awareness and ground yourself amidst individual or collective dis-ease. For now, consider the meditative mantra So Hum (“I am”).
And yes, it’s a happy coincidence that root vegetables are also coming into season.
Reflections: Roots
As we roll our way into Autumn, I invite you to reflect on what Roots mean to you.
Side note: The Roots are a great source of joy and reconnect me to my music roots.
- When you think of the concept and qualities of roots, what comes to mind?
- What does feeling rooted in your body feel like? How does a physically rooted version of you move through the day?
- What does being rooted in your mind and emotions mean to you? How does a mentally and emotionally rooted version of you think and respond?
- Where in your life do you already feel rooted, and where might you benefit from cultivating a bit more of that grounded quality?
- What tools or practices help you feel rooted when life feels otherwise?
- What’s your favorite root vegetable? 😉
Take good care,
S
No Comments