A Shift in the Rhythm

Fall - My favorite time of year

The Season of Slowing Down

This weekend Jim and I are going camping. I am VERY excited about this. This is my favorite time of year. There’s just always been something about Fall that feels different than any other season to me. The light changes, the air feels crisper, and the trees (most years) set the world on fire with their color.

We are taking the little camper and planning for cool nights and warm days. Fresh coffee in the morning, a campfire in the evening and hikes during the day. I'll likely do some journaling but mainly, I plan to enjoy nature. A lot of the trees have started to change color and some of the leaves have already begun to fall.

I’ve always thought of Fall as a season that invites me to slow down and pause. When Spring comes along, it feels like everything is bursting with energy. An invitation to get up and do something! But Fall is like a whisper that says “You don’t have to rush. You can rest. You can let go.” I hear that whisper in the air, in the leaves rustling and even from a campfire. It's like there is a shift in rhythm.

When I think about how the leaves fall, I think about a choreographed dance. It makes me smile. They swirl to the ground, going back and forth as they fall. They seem to enjoy the freefall and play along the way down. Almost like a performance. Letting go of the tree, trusting the Universe that this renewal process is all part of nature.

At home, our evening walks become quieter, with just the crunch of leaves under our shoes. The earlier sunsets nudge me toward cozy evenings at home curled up with a blanket and a warm drink. We have patio chairs that we bought years ago sitting on out screened in patio. They are the big, overstuffed kind that you can just melt into. And I do. Even my cats curls up closer this time of year. I'm sure they are trying to remind me that rest is a natural.

It's also a time when I start gently asking myself questions:

• What have I learned this year?

• What am I grateful for?

• What do I need to release?

It's fun to reflect and think about these things. Going into the fourth quarter of the year is a good time for me to reflect. When Spring comes along I put plans into action! But when Fall comes along, I relax. I think about how I can renew.

Another good thing about Fall - SOUP. I love soup and this is the best time of year to eat it. Chili, Chicken Noodle, Tomato, Butternut Squash, Mushroom - I have to stop the list because I am really making my self hungry! Oh - two more - gumbo and jambalaya (technically not a soup but it's close). I have a chili recipe that I love making. I'm sharing it in case anyone is interested!

Chili

1 ½ lbs. ground beef

½ lb. pork (cut into small squares)

1 onion

2 cloves garlic

28 oz. can diced tomatoes and juice

2 oz. can green chilies, chopped

16 oz. can tomato sauce

2 Tbls Chili Powder

1 Tbls Paprika

Sprinkle meat with paprika and brown in heavy pan. Sauté onion and garlic in same pan; add olive oil if necessary.

Add tomatoes, green chilies, tomato sauce and spices.

Simmer for three hours.

Comfy Clothes

Moving away from food, can you say "Comfy Clothes"? Another of my favorite parts of Fall is how it practically begs us to lean into comfy. The sticky summer days are gone when we're trying to wear as little as possible to stay cool. Instead, there's something so fun about pulling on soft sweaters, wrapping up in a scarf, slipping on warm fuzzy socks or even stepping into a warm pair of boots. It's like getting a hug from the Universe. Casual enough for a pumpkin patch ( Yes, I love pumpkins by the way), warm enough for a bonfire and just right for curling up with a book or my journal.

Permission to Pause

The culture we live in doesn’t often encourage pausing. It tells us to do more, achieve more, push harder. But Fall stands in quiet rebellion to that message. It gives us permission to slow our pace, savor small moments, and breathe.

For me, slowing down doesn’t mean stopping. It means becoming more intentional—choosing reflection over rushing, gratitude over striving, presence over distraction.

 That’s why I see fall as an invitation, not an ending. An invitation to let go of the old, to pause and reflect, and to prepare for what’s next—not by working harder, but by aligning with the natural cycles of life.

An Invitation for You

This Fall, I’m giving myself permission to pause. To notice the way the air smells different on my walks. To enjoy cozy dinners with Jim without rushing to the next task. To reflect on the year and ask what truly matters most to me.

Maybe you need that, too. Maybe Fall is reminding you to slow your pace, take stock, and release what you no longer need.

So I’ll leave you with this:

What’s one thing you’re ready to let go of this season?

Much love to all,

Ruthie 💛