How often are we already thinking about what comes next instead of experiencing what is happening right now?
Recently, several of my clients have commented about fall by saying something along the lines of, “Fall is nice, but we know what comes next…” meaning the cold, snow, shorter days, and weather they don’t particularly enjoy. And I understand that! But it also made me think about how easily we can miss the season we are in because we are already anticipating the next one.
Fall has so much magic of its own. The crisp, clear air. The incredible colors appearing everywhere in nature. The smell of leaves. Warm sweaters. Comfort foods we haven’t enjoyed in months. Apples, pumpkins, soups, warm drinks, and all of those wonderful flavors that seem to belong to this time of year. There is something special about stepping outside and noticing that the air feels different than it did just a few weeks ago.
But if our thoughts are already in winter, we miss fall.
And sometimes staying in the season we are actually in takes intention.
Have you noticed how early we are encouraged to move on to the next thing? We can walk into a store in July, while it is still warm and sunny outside, and find Halloween candy and decorations filling the shelves. Just a few weeks later, Christmas displays may already be appearing somewhere nearby. Before we have fully experienced summer, we are being reminded to think about fall. Before fall has arrived, we are being encouraged to think about Christmas.
I have to admit, this irritates me! But beyond the irritation, I think there is something worth noticing. When we are continually presented with what is coming next, it can subtly condition us to always be looking ahead. What’s next? What do I need to buy? What do I need to plan? What do I need to get ready for?
And while our attention is focused on what is coming, what is happening right now can quietly pass us by. Perhaps being present has become something we need to choose intentionally.
We can notice the invitation to rush ahead without accepting it. We can walk past the Christmas decorations in August and remind ourselves, “I’m still enjoying summer.” We can enjoy October without mentally jumping ahead to the holidays. We can allow November to be November. There is something wonderfully grounding about letting each season have its own time.
And we do this in so many other areas of our lives.
We think about what needs to be done next instead of enjoying what we are doing now. We finish one task and immediately move on to the next. We spend our days checking things off our lists, preparing, planning, organizing, and accomplishing. Even during enjoyable experiences, part of our mind may already be thinking about what we need to do when we get home.
There will always be something else to do.
What if, instead, we allowed ourselves to fully experience the season we are in?
Nature doesn’t rush through fall because winter is coming. The trees don’t drop their leaves early just to get it over with. Each season has its own purpose, beauty, experiences, and gifts.
Maybe we can allow ourselves to do the same.
There are seasons in our lives when we are growing and creating. There are seasons when we are busy and productive. There are seasons of change, seasons of letting go, and seasons when we need more quiet and rest. We don’t always need to push ourselves into the next season. Sometimes our work is simply to recognize the season we are already in and honor what it is asking of us.
And sometimes it may not be asking us to do anything at all. Maybe it is asking us to notice.
Notice the sunlight coming through the trees. Notice how good your favorite meal tastes. Notice the person sitting across from you. Notice the laughter in a conversation. Notice the colors outside your window. Notice how your body responds when you step into the cool air. Notice something beautiful that you normally walk right past because your mind is already somewhere else.
Being present doesn’t mean that we stop planning for the future or taking care of our responsibilities. It simply means that we don’t sacrifice today while constantly preparing for tomorrow. Maybe that is one of the gifts each season offers us: a reminder that this particular moment will not come again exactly as it is now.
So this fall, perhaps instead of thinking about what comes next, give yourself permission to experience what is here now.
Take the walk. Eat the apple pie. Make the soup. Sit outside on a beautiful afternoon. Look at the trees. Breathe in that crisp air. Put down the list for a little while.
The next season will arrive soon enough.
For now, let yourself enjoy this one.
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I am located at Caya Massage & Wellness located at 11415 Main Street Suite 104 Roscoe IL, in the XL Contracting Building. Enter in the main XL Contracting entrance, and take 4 stairs down on your right hand side into Suite 104. I’m the second room on the right.
I am one of seven massage therapists in this beautiful space, and I look forward to serving you in this location. I will be in this office Monday-Saturday, 8-5. Any of my hypnosis and coaching work can be done remotely through zoom any day.
Connect with me for a free consultation at (815) 623-1569, email me at kathybjerke@charter.net, or visit my website at: restoremindandbody7.com
