Can I shed this feeling of anxiety? Maybe not forever, but just for now.

Bringing in a pause, some seasonal energy and self-compassion to a stressful moment.

Yesterday it was my eldest’s birthday party. I woke up late because all 3 of my kids didn’t sleep very well and I started panicking because I knew I had loads of things to do before we left for the party.

I felt that familiar gnaw of anxiety in my stomach and the voice in my head repeating over and over again how much I needed to do.

The voice that tells me I haven’t got enough time and that I need to rush.

I had a moment in amongst all of this where I thought, this isn’t just happening because it’s a party, it happens a lot.

I get so stressed about everything I need to do to make the thing happen, that it totally takes away the enjoyment of the thing, that is supposed to be enjoyable. (I’ve written about this before because it’s a recurring theme with me.)

Like family days out - I’m running around trying to make sure that everyone is ready on time, if we’ve got enough snacks, whether the timings of our day out will impact my youngest’s nap-times…and on it goes. It all gets a bit much.

While all of these thoughts were going through my head, I was washing the dishes in the kitchen. I stopped for a minute and I looked up and out of the window, into the garden.

I looked at the apple tree with the last few apples left on it, red and yellow apples against the green leaves.

I looked at all of the leaves on the patio at the bottom of the garden, where the trees from the forest behind our house are shedding their leaves at a rapid rate. So rapid, that we can clear the fallen leaves one day and the next day, the patio will be covered again.

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

I thought, how can I ground myself in this moment?

Looking at all of those fallen leaves, made me think, that the trees are shedding the leaves they don’t need anymore.

Can I shed this feeling of anxiety? Maybe not forever, but just for now.

I decided I wanted to enjoy my daughter’s birthday party, that I deserved to enjoy it too.

I didn’t want to be stressed, I wanted to be present and watch her have fun with her friends.

So, I slowed down.

I lit my new autumn candle and put on a calming playlist.

I filled my water bottle and made myself a flask of tea to have at the party (because I always forget my own drinks then wonder why I’ve got a headache).

I told myself that I would get everything done that I needed to, and if we were a bit late that was OK.

Just stopping and have those few moments to reflect and be inspired by what was happening outside helped me step out of the all too familiar stress and anxiety that I usually feel.

It helped me bring in a different perspective to the situation instead of repeating the same pattern.

More importantly, it helped me to take action that made me feel better.

I won’t be able to change how I react to common scenarios overnight, but if I’m aware of how and why I react, then I’ve got a better chance of catching myself and reminding myself that I deserve to enjoy myself too.

So, I carried on getting everything ready for the party and I ended up really enjoying myself at the party - I’d go as far to say it was stress free!

I watched as my daughter and her friends learned a new dance routine and then performed it all for us at the end. I was able to be more present too.

These themes of having time to reflect, gaining a new perspective and being inspired by the seasonal energy are just a few of the things I’ll be covering in my new creation, The Autumn Sanctuary.

I’d love for you to join me for 4 weeks of cosy online gathering circles for mums throughout November to reflect, dream and connect to like minded mums, all whilst sinking into the seasonal energy of Autumn.

Designed especially with Autumn in mind, each gathering circle will be a blend of group coaching, journalling, seasonal meditations, mindfulness and self-compassion exercises.

We are going to harness the seasonal energy of Autumn and focus on these different themes each week:

• letting go of what no longer serves you

• bringing more balance into your life

• what you are grateful for this year &

• celebrating your achievements of 2024

The Autumn Sanctuary is going to support you in:

• having some dedicated time and space out for yourself

• being kinder to yourself as you learn how seasonal energy impacts your own energy levels

• finding clarity on your thoughts and feelings from journalling and sharing your story

• feeling grounded and soothed as you listen to the seasonal meditations I’ve designed especially for mums

• feeling energised and uplifted by the collective healing energy of a like-minded group of mums

• finding a small community of like-minded mums and feeling inspired and comforted by them sharing their similar experiences to you

The early bird price of £100 is available from today (Mon 14th Oct to Sun 20th Oct).

I’ve got space for 12 mums and we start on Sat 2nd Nov.

You can find all of the info here.

I am so excited to lead you through The Autumn Sanctuary so you can feel relaxed, uplifted & fully recharged with you feeling the benefits long after our month together ends!

Thank you so much for reading. I’d love to hear from you in the comments:

• What helps ground and soothe you in stressful moments?

You might also like some of my most recent posts:

• Motherhood and Creativity Interview #15 with Heather Waugh

• Celebrating my achievements in September and my plans for October

• Motherhood and Creativity Interview #14 with Rachel Fox

• Time for a different perspective