Autumn’s Arrival
Autumn already.
I have felt it on the wings for a few weeks, and next week it formally arrives. The equinox workshop is this Sunday, 4-530 GMT. A slow and structured opportunity to reflect on your life, using autumn’s themes of the year’s late harvest, the sorting, clearing, and storing for winter. More details of this free, online workshop can be found here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1999486724618?aff=oddtdtcreator
My own autumn reflections are of a year that has been difficult in ways in I hadn’t seen coming, wonderful in ways that I can count on. The love and support of friends and my daughters, the beauty of the natural world in all its seasons, art, books, music, food. My 13-year-old cat, Stella. I am looking forward to a trip to London in October, to see the Frida Kahlo and Ana Mendieta exhibitions at the Tate Modern. Two artists I have loved since the 1980’s, and a trip that will mean special time with two dear friends.
Women’s Work continues to tick along without too much energy, as my energy has been needed in different places, including some rich work in organisations. 2026 is not an easy year in the world, and thus not for us humans; wherever we go. A lot of our dysregulation shows up at work, as we spend so much of our life there. My work very often feels like a privilege to me, and 2026 has ‘supersized’ this. Supporting organisations, and the people in them, to sit in the discomfort of not knowing what the future will hold and needing to plan and act in the face of that.
I continue to hold a space for women with neurological conditions to come together – sharing stories, tips, laughing and being present to the difficulties that our conditions throw at us. I am so glad to have brought this into being, for myself and others. Our next meeting is on Saturday 3 October, 11-12:30. Details are here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1999488011467?aff=oddtdtcreator
Please do feel free to share these upcoming events with any women you know who might be interested.
In closing, what do I know is helping me and others to regulate our nervous systems in 2026?
Hugs (30 seconds for a flood of happy hormones!)
Being in nature, as science tells us this.
Do you know how much open space helps relax your brain? It knows you wouldn’t be out in open space if you perceived danger. A couple good breaths while looking in broad view at the horizon, or at the vast sea, while tuning yourself into it.
Exercise – a gentle walk, your spin class, a little kitchen disco, yoga, tai chi…whatever helps you settle into your physical body and get out of your head.
Connecting with other people. On the phone, by text, in person. We humans are wired for one another, and there is always something soothing about connecting with someone we love and care for.
On that note, thank you for being with me while you read this. I hope you can join one of the temporary communities of women that I will be hosting over the next few months. I will be advertising a free winter workshop early in 2027, so if this weekend is too soon, know there will be another opportunity soon.
May it be a blessed autumn for you.
