Autumn is the perfect time to reset your intentions.

September often makes people think about school. This happens even if you don’t have children of your own.

It happens because your brain has been conditioned to this routine. After a dozen or more years of being in the education system, you equate fall with learning and with change.  

For many, fall also brings a special kind of anxiety related to changes -- think of the time when you started middle school and left elementary school behind, or went to college and left your friends and family back home.  Change brings newness; excitement; opportunities.

Let's dive into ways to take advantage of Mother Nature's seasonal reminder.

Why Autumn is Perfect for Setting Intentions

The start of the school year is just one reason that fall is a great season to reset intentions. A second reason is that the rest of the year is going to get very busy.

As a bonus, autumn also has cooler weather. The crisp fall air often provides people with energy. The energy gives you a great boost for setting and meeting intentions. With a vision for the fall, you can prepare for the holidays and big events that are coming towards the end of the year, in a way that can lower the sense of feeling overwhelmed.  And that will help you to continue on the path you set now, in the fall.

A Change in Seasons Facilitates Change in Self

Every change of seasons is a good time to review intentions, in fact. For example, spring cleaning can reduce as much emotional clutter as it does household mess.

Some people only set intentions once per year (usually on January 1st). There are many problems with this, not the least of which is that motivation quickly wanes.  Another is that people usually set goals that are way out of reach -- another reason for a quick deflation when these can't be met.

Using the change of seasons to reset your intentions, can help you to set smaller, more manageable goals, and in the process of that,  you can consistently refresh your energy so that you can have greater chances for success. 

Supplies to Reset Your Intentions

Do you love back-to-school shopping? Do you still enjoy purchasing new folders and pens despite being out of classes for many years? If so, then take advantage of the September sales on “school supplies.”

Purchase a set of new calendars that run from now through the end of 2019. Daily, weekly, and monthly calendars allow you to set a variety of goals. Invest in stickers, markers, and colorful tags to dress up your calendar.

After all, resetting your intentions is something you do for yourself. Therefore, you might as well make it fun!

Learn to Take in the Good

When you set your intentions, be sure to focus on the positive. You may find that you have created a list of “don’ts.” However, it is important to reframe everything in a positive light.

For example, do you have an intention “not to worry?” Instead, reset your intention to “refocus on the moment when feeling worried.”

Learn about psychologist Rick Hanson’s approach called Take in the Good. He offers scientific evidence for the many benefits of a positive frame of mind.

Through this method, you can learn to look at the positive side of experiences. Furthermore, you can learn to savor those moments.  He suggests savoring those almost too-tiny-to-notice moments, what I like to call Small Victories.  By noticing those small incidences, you can be encouraged to string these together, to gain ground in meeting your vision.

Tips to Reset Your Intentions in Autumn

Here are a few helpful ideas:

• Be practical about the time available to make changes during a busy season.

• Choose a season-long theme such as “family” or “mindfulness.”

• Make relevant intentions.

• Phrase them in the positive.

• Start with the phrase, "I am ....." or "May I be ...." and make the intention short. Then, repeat the phrase 3 times.

• Repeat your intention many times a day, such as when you wake up, and when you go to sleep.

• When you have success, absorb it, appreciate it, and give yourself credit for making a change.

• Set aside old intentions that no longer ring true for your needs.

• Make intentions aspirational. However, break them down into measurable goals.

• Practice gratitude for the things that are already going well.

• Get out into nature. Autumn is a perfect season for reflection done outdoors.

New seasons and traditional phases can be exciting times. But, they can also bring out anxiety because we tend to fear change, even if it's a change that is for the good.

Which, in turn, can inhibit your ability to reset intentions.

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If you'd like support managing anxiety or to help reset your own intentions this season, please reach out to me today or visit my Therapy for Anxiety page to learn more about my therapeutic approach. Also, check out these Mindfulness Meditations to help you reset your intentions.