Seasonal Shifts & Soul Care: Why Fall is the Perfect Time to Reset

The air is shifting. The light is starting to look different. Even if you’re not someone who follows the calendar of the seasons, you’ve probably felt the transition. Autumn just has a way of pulling us inward.

The crisp mornings, the golden leaves, the earlier sunsets—it all invites us to slow down, breathe deeper, and pay attention to what we’ve been carrying from throughout the year. This time of year brings the start of an annual internal reflection to see what is no longer serving you and to help you prepare for the upcoming winter.

I’ve always believed that nature is our best teacher, and nowhere is this more apparent than in autumn.

The trees don’t resist the changes coming their way. They don’t cling to the green of summer or try to hold on to what’s past. They simply let go. And in their release, there’s beauty, spaciousness, and renewal.

As I’ve grown into my work as a practitioner of Chinese medicine and as a mother, I’ve come to see fall not just as a seasonal change but as a spiritual and emotional one as well. It’s an opportunity, if we’re willing to take it, to reset.

In Chinese medicine, each season corresponds with an organ system and an emotional landscape. Autumn is tied to the lungs and large intestine, organs that remind us of the delicate dance between taking in and letting go.

The lungs govern our breath and the very rhythm of life. They allow us to inhale inspiration, vitality, and clarity, and they help us exhale what’s no longer needed. The large intestine complements this by reminding us of the importance of healthy release. Together, they embody the art of discernment: what to keep, what to let go.

Emotionally, autumn is linked with grief and sadness. That doesn’t mean fall is a sad season, but it does invite us to acknowledge the weight of what we’ve lost. Just as the trees shed their leaves, we’re asked to shed what no longer serves us—old stories, stale habits, even relationships that feel complete. It is time to consider the pattern, a lesson learned, and then move on.

When we ignore this natural rhythm, imbalance can set in. Many people experience respiratory issues in the fall, from lingering coughs to allergies. Others feel heaviness in mood or a kind of “stuck” that mirrors the body’s struggle to let go. The beauty of aligning with the season is that it supports both physical and emotional health. Wellness naturally follows.

I used to resist this season. The shorter days made me restless, the longer nights a little depressed. But when I began working more deeply with the wisdom of the seasons, I realized that autumn wasn’t pulling me down—it was pulling me in.

Fall teaches us that grief is not something to avoid; it’s something to honor. Grief and release are not about endings, but about making space. When we allow ourselves to acknowledge what we’re carrying and give ourselves permission to set some of it down, we create room for new beginnings.

This year, as I watch my three-year-old discover the magic of leaves swirling to the ground, I’m reminded that letting go can be playful too. Children don’t mourn the falling leaves, they chase them, jump in them, and celebrate them. That’s the spirit I want to bring to my own practice of seasonal release.

Here are a few simple practices to help you align with fall’s wisdom:

>> Breathe with Intention

Set aside five minutes to practice mindful breathing. Inhale slowly, feeling your chest expand. Exhale deeply, imagining you’re releasing what you no longer need whether it’s stress, tension, or old stories. This simple rhythm mirrors the season and reconnects you to your lungs’ natural wisdom.

>> Acupressure for the Lungs

An acupressure point I often recommend is LU-9, located on the wrist crease below the thumb. Gently massaging this point for one to two minutes can help strengthen lung energy, support immunity, and encourage emotional release. It’s a beautiful way to give your body a seasonal tune-up. (See the image below for reference.)

>> Journaling Prompt

Write for ten minutes on this reflection: What am I ready to release this season? Let your pen move without judgment. You may be surprised at what comes up—grief you didn’t realize you were carrying, or habits that no longer serve your growth.

>> Simplify Your Space & Routine

Autumn invites us to cozy in. Clear out one small area of your home—a drawer, a closet, your inbox. Notice how lightness in your environment translates to lightness in your mind. This is the large intestine’s wisdom in action: letting go creates space for what’s next.

Several years ago, I went through a season of deep exhaustion. I was juggling work, motherhood, and endless commitments. When autumn arrived, my body forced me to slow down. I caught every seasonal cold, my chest felt heavy, and my mood dipped.

At first, I fought it. But eventually, I gave in to the invitation to release. I stepped back from obligations that drained me. I made time for quiet walks. I grieved the version of myself that thought I had to do it all. And slowly, I felt something start to shift.

After aligning with seasonal wellness, I wasn’t depleted. I became nourished. That fall reset gave me back a sense of presence, not just for myself but for my family too.

Autumn isn’t about endings.

It’s about creating fertile ground for what’s to come. The trees remind us of this truth every year: letting go isn’t a loss, it’s a renewal.

So, I invite you to pause for a moment today. Notice your breath. Notice what you’re carrying. Ask yourself gently: What am I ready to release?

In answering, you might find that fall gives you more than a change of scenery. It gives you permission to reset, to grieve, to simplify, and to prepare for the new season ahead…with more space, more breath, and more peace.

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