Is it terribly outdated of us to say Winter is Coming, Vixens?

 We hate to be the bearers of more bad news, but we aren’t saying this to get you down. We are reveling in the beautiful autumn colours and enjoying the fact that we can still be in class, or outside and seeing people we care about. But we are also thinking about the very near future and what we can do now to make the longer, darker days more pleasant.

 

Remember what worked and build it in

While we don’t want to dwell on memories of what physical isolation in the spring was like, we value being able to think about that time as a resource for the future. Since we survived the first round, we know we have the skills and resources to do it differently this time. If you have the capacity, consider a gentle exploration of what worked for you during that time, and make a list so that you have it handy when you need it. 

For extra insurance, you could start to add those things to your schedule now, so that they will be there for you when you need it. It might be signing up for a weekly virtual class with your favourite instructor, or booking a regular Zoom dinner date with your friends, or making sure your plant babies have cozy indoor homes so they’re there for you when you need them.

 

Make a plan before you need it 

Did you know that the solutions that you come up with to manage stressful situations while you are in them are different from the ones you would think of if you were calmer? To take advantage of your creativity, and develop more sustainable solutions you might want to spend some time thinking about how you could address the challenging aspects of winter, and the challenging aspects of isolation and explore how you would address them now, or what tools and resources you will need to address things when they happen. 

 

If you experience Seasonal Affective Disorder you could add a therapy light to your holiday wish list. If you know you’re prone to colds you might stock your pantry with broth and soup making supplies. If you remember that you struggle with loneliness, maybe you stock up on warm weather gear so you can still take walks with friends, as long as the weather conditions are safe. Those are just a few examples of planning ahead for the months to come.

 

Talk it out

If we have learned anything over the past few months, it has been about the value of community, and being able to share our thoughts and ideas in places where we feel safe and where we are seen and heard. As we settle into autumn, it is a good time to talk through your concerns about what winter might look like, and to explore solutions while you schedule virtual gatherings with friends and family. Sharing what you’re feeling not only helps address feelings of loneliness and isolation, which are exacerbated by our limited ability to be in the same physical space. It also builds collective wisdom, and you may find that your community has some ingenious solutions to help you address what you might be struggling with.

 

Find your allies

It’s one thing to have a supportive community (including ours here at Brass Vixens), but sometimes you might find you need more targeted support to help you navigate what you’re experiencing so you can make the plans you need for a more comfortable winter. That might mean finding an affordable therapist that you trust to talk things through, or connecting with a naturopath or nutritionist to ensure your body is getting what it needs to stay balanced and healthy. You could also choose to sit with a meditation teacher or explore a conversation with a wellness coaching. Taking some time to determine what you need will help you identify. You can also find a list of mental health supports here. 

 

Schedule stillness or socializing

Planning for success is important, but so it taking time to sink into the present moment and find joy and gratitude in autumnal activities. Not only will this help you focus on yourself and what you need, it will also help balance your thoughts. If a lot of your planning is around a specific experience, like seeing as much of your friends as you can, then explore creating moments now where you can bask in each other’s appropriately distanced company. Or maybe you’re going to miss being connected to the earth and the outdoors, in which case you may take advantage of as many opportunities to be outside as your life allows.

 

We hope we haven’t killed the cozy fall vibes by with reminders of the fact that seasons change, Vixens! We hope that this helps you make the transition with ease and grace. And we can support you through that, please reach out. We are here for you.