Happy Halloween, everyone! Fall is my favorite time of year. Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a big fan of Halloween! But I also love everything fall. Pumpkins, hot apple cider, a fire in the fireplace, sweaters. It's all so relaxing. This month, I decided to tie together my love of the fall season with some of my most recent blog posts on grounding and relaxing the vagus nerve. As autumn settles in, the trees shedding their leaves is a beautiful thing. Nature has a quiet way of releasing what it no longer needs. Letting go in our own ways can be equally stunning.

Fall invites us to slow down and shed the emotional (or actual) clutter we've been carrying. Letting go may involve releasing old regrets, unrealistic expectations, or the constant busyness that can overwhelm us. Like the trees, we can make space for rest and renewal. If you celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Hanukkah, you know that the holidays are just around the corner. Life speeds up quickly. Taking time to rest this fall would be beneficial for many of us.

Here are a few simple ways to begin—

• Journal—Write down what's been weighing on you, such as worries, frustrations, or unfinished "shoulds." Then cross them out or tear up the page. It's a small act of letting go, signaling to your mind that this is no longer yours to carry.
• Create a Fall Ritual—Step outside, hold a leaf, and name something you're ready to release. Let it go with the wind—simple, grounding, and symbolic.
• Practice Mindful Pauses—When life feels cluttered, take a deep breath and focus on the sound of rustling leaves or the crisp air. Even a few mindful minutes can calm your thoughts.
• Simplify Your Surroundings—Clear one small area, like your desk or a drawer. The act of decluttering your environment often mirrors the inner process of letting go.

Psychologist Karen Horney once said, "Stop shoulding all over yourself!" I love to share this quote with my clients. It emphasizes the damaging effects of ‘should’ statements on our mental well-being (e.g., ‘I should lose weight’). This fall, I literally decluttered. I went through my entire closet and let go of all the clothes that I either never wear or had been saving for when I lose some weight. Because, let's be real, if I lose weight, I'm going shopping! I won't be digging out old, dusty clothes from the back of my closet. When I dropped them for donation, I felt a weight lifted! Goodbye and good riddance! I've also been taking time to set my phone aside and sit by my living room fireplace with a cup of hot apple cider.

As the days grow shorter and the air turns cold, remember that release isn't loss; it's a chance to start anew. It's preparation. The trees don't mourn their leaves; they trust that spring will come again. It may be time for us all to do the same.