This coming week the students at the university where I work will be returning to campus. My daughter is starting a new year in elementary school as well. The start of school is a kick off to fall, which happens to be my favourite season. The leaves turn magnificent colours. There’s enough of a chill in the air so the mosquitoes are gone, but no ice yet on the ground. The fall months of late September, October, November, and most of December bring many birthdays in my circle, plus two Thanksgivings (I’m a dual citizen), Hanukkah (usually), and part of the Christmas holiday season when most people are still on the cheery side.
Fall also gives us the opportunity to take some time to check in on how we’ve done with our goals for the year. There’s still some time left to, if not accomplish our goals then to make progress on them so that we can start 2019 off feeling pretty good about things. So, here are some suggestions on things to do as the dawn of fall approaches:
- Pull out any of those goals that you’ve made for yourself for 2018 and make some notes about A) are they still what you want and B) if so, how well have you progressed on them.
- Given everything that’s happened to you and you’ve made happen thus far in 2018, what new goals are you thinking about for the rest of the year or for 2019?
- Who are the people who’ve really been there for you? Find a way to thank them. It doesn’t have to be big. Sending out holiday cards? Those people should be at the top of your list and should get a personal note from you.
- Who are the people who you wish you’d spent more time with this year, provided more support to? Call them or drop them a note and let them know that you’re thinking of them. Make plans to get together, even if that means Skype or FaceTime.
- If you have school-age children, including those in college or university, hug them, call them if they’re away at school. Tell them that you’re there for them. It matters.
- This time of year can also be very stressful. Pull out your calendar and plan time just for you, doing things that you find fun and relaxing.
I hope that you have a very happy and healthy fall season.
Image courtesy of The AndrasBata under a CC-0 license.
