As I got out of bed this morning and stumbled my way to the kitchen, I knew immediately my mood was a tad off despite a good night’s rest. I canceled an appointment because I didn’t feel like getting dressed and driving there. After coffee, my mood didn’t improve much. I didn’t want to talk or socialize on any level and not because it was morning but, I was already planning it in my head to be for the day. I was beginning to feel “antsy” and I muted the T.V. so that I could hear myself answer this question, “What do you want? What is it that you need right now?” I thought for a moment and I said, “Nothing.”

But as I thought of that I understood that my “spirit or soul” wants the type of things we call doing “nothing”. It wants to be in nature. Sitting or walking. Observing or relaxing. It wants to sit in the sun reading or just sitting. It doesn’t want noise. It doesn’t want to be running around with a long list of things to do. It wants those, “When I get a moment, I’m going to listening to that podcast I saved. I’m going to be still. I’m going to paint. I’m going to start that new book. I’m going to go to the park and just watch the river, have lunch, and nod off. I’m going to lay on the couch, cover myself with a blanket and let the TV watch me sleep. I’m going to do the bare minimum and move at a slow pace. I’m going to be joyfully, proudly, quietly, lazy. I’m going to mute chats, notifications, and tap the DO NOT DISTURB button. I’m going to look at the phone and say NOPE. Don’t want to talk to you today.” I want nothing.

I want nothing hard today. I want nothing too serious and too deep. I want nothing but to be the human “being” and not “doing.” You could say yes to every invitation or you could say no. You’ve been moving and grooving all year long and now is the time to come to a stop. I don’t know about you but my weekends will not be chockfull of draining events. Despite what people may think, I do not have to attend everything. I’ve decided what events I’m going to attend. I’ve decided to also have some flexibility in my weekdays for lunch or dinner or an outing with friends and family.

You see, fall is a slowing down from the top of the hill of January. You just don’t come to a complete stop; you roll to a stop. December is your stop. You can get off here if you choose. You also can ease into your new year. I did last year and it was truly a blessing to my nervous system. Making the changes to move with the seasons has been a learning curve for me and enriching. The way nature moves makes sense to the spirit and incorporating that into my way of living has helped me understand myself and others.

~Nikki