What’s Up Wednesday: Shifting Seasons, Steady Souls

 As we step from the warmth of shiny, sunshine-filled summer into the cool embrace of fall, life reminds us of one thing: change is constant. The skies get darker a little earlier, the air cools, leaves begin to fall, and even our spirits can feel the weight of the shifting season.

This is the perfect moment to pause and check in with our mental health. Just as we swap out summer clothes for cozy sweaters, we need to trade in some old habits for healthier ones that help us cope with shorter days and cooler nights.

 Seasonal Check-In

• Are you noticing shifts in your mood with the weather?
• Do rainy days make you want to retreat and not just for rest, but out of avoidance?
• Have you noticed your energy dropping earlier in the day?

These aren’t just quirks; they’re signals. Pay attention to your mental health the same way you’d notice a draft in your house that you wouldn’t just ignore, you’d find a way to keep warm.

 Coping with the Clouds

When the seasons change, so should our coping mechanisms. Create space for joy and calm:

• Light a candle and journal when the evenings feel heavy.
• Take a walk to crunch leaves under your feet and breathe in crisp air.
• Build a nighttime routine that winds your body down gently, instead of scrolling until sleep.

Think of these as tools in your “seasonal survival kit.”

 Support Systems that Stretch

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is don’t invest your entire well-being into one person, one group, or one space. People get busy, unavailable, or sometimes can’t show up in the ways we need. That doesn’t mean you’re unsupported, it just means you need a variety of pillars to lean on.

• Family for comfort
• Friends for laughter
• Circles, support groups, or Trybes for shared strength
• Professionals for guidance

The key? Diversity in your support. That way, when one pillar is shaky, your foundation still stands.

 RTT Takeaway

This fall, let’s honor the season by preparing not just our homes and closets, but also our hearts and minds. Real Talk T.Y.M.E. is all about feeling what you feel, healing where you hurt, and dealing with life as it comes. Change doesn’t have to break you—it can reshape you.

So, check in with yourself, lean into your support systems, and build coping practices that carry you through the darker days. Remember: even when the leaves fall, the roots remain strong.