October Inspiration

Letting go, letting in and being truly holistic.

Photo by Erik Witsoe on Unsplash

Hello,

I’m writing this letter from my kitchen table, on a distinctly October day. I have knitted pumpkins and a candle creating a cosy centrepiece and as I work my attention is drawn to the sight and song of a robin just outside the window. Autumn, it seems, is here.

In the past the shift in seasons from summer into autumn might have been tinged with an air of sadness that summer was over. But more recently I’ve found myself really enjoying this time of year. The sheer beauty of the autumn season can’t be denied. The leaves on the trees turning fantastic shades of gold, bronze, copper and rust, before falling peacefully to the ground. And with them, the lesson we learn each and every year from Mother Nature, that it’s okay to let things go.

I think for anyone interested in self-development of any kind, this is a really valuable reminder and certainly one that I find myself coming back to each year. Of course, letting go is often so much easier said than done. How do we just let go? Is it ever really that simple? Probably not.

Truly letting go, whether of feelings, emotions, past traumas, limiting beliefs, etc, etc is a much deeper process that simply choosing to let go. More often than not it involves work on a deeper level. Sometimes self-led through journaling or meditation. Sometimes we need the help of another. Perhaps a therapist, counsellor, coach or body worker. However, the simple act of acknowledging there is something to be let go of, is often the very first step of the journey.

Last week I was asked the question, “What can you let in?” It hit me like a tonne of bricks. For context, it was asked by a therapist helping me with some thumb pain I’ve been experiencing. The question itself was simple enough, but it had a profound effect. What if all this time I’ve been so busy focusing on letting go of the old that I’ve forgotten to make space for the new?

A Truly Holistic Approach

Holistic. Adjective.

Philosophy. Characterised by the belief that the parts of something are intimately interconnected and explicable only by reference to the whole. (Oxford Languages).

I always take a holistic approach when I’m working with a client. I look at the person as a whole. Their symptoms, their nature, their lifestyle, their hopes and dreams and so on.

Something that occurred during some reflective journaling last week was that whilst I’m very good at looking at a client’s bigger picture. I haven’t been so good at doing the same for myself. I realise I’ve been guilty of holding certain parts of myself at arm’s length, somehow believing they didn’t fit within my persona as a business owner. However, people I have the deepest connections with tend to be the ones who show up fully as themselves. Whether online or in person, it’s always the real and raw stories that will keep me reading.

So, as I move into October and the beginning of the autumn season my goal is to make space in my business for all the parts of me. For the extraordinary and the average. The messy, the nuanced, the unhealed. Holistically and wholeheartedly me.

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Inspiration for October

Some inspiration I’m taking into the month ahead.

Slowing Down.

As we move into autumn, the natural world begins to slow and prepare for the colder months ahead. Days become shorter, growth slows and there’s a general sense of winding down. I’m a big believer in slower living. Perhaps the dreamy Instagram accounts of those living a slow life feel out of reach or unrealistic to you. They often do to me too. However, I regularly ask myself where I can find slower moments within my days or my weeks. Can I slow my morning routine down, so it feels more gentle and nurturing? Can I walk more slowly and intentionally in nature instead of powering on to my destination? Can I take an hour to myself to read, write or do something creative? In adding more of these little moments, the whole pace of the week can feel much calmer and more relaxed.

Reconnecting with my WHY.

I’ve been spending some time this week thinking about how aligned I feel with my business goals and dreams. I’ve had some big lightbulb moments, exploring how I can move forward with more of me at the heart of my business and it’s always really key to remember WHY I’m doing this in the first place. I’m not talking about the why they make you write as part of any marketing course. I’m talking about something deeper, the real reason why I’m willing to navigate the many difficult moments in order to continue following this path.

Gentle Productivity.

The concept of gentle productivity is central not only to my work but also to the way I work in my own business. The idea behind it is that instead of prioritising the stuff on my to do list, I prioritise my wellbeing first. I work within my energetic capacity, ramping up self-care and rest as necessary when I have deadlines to meet.

In the past I’ve found myself filled with inspiration at this time of year. Diving head-first into too many projects or overcommitting because I got carried away by the back to school feel in the air. Then I swiftly hit a brick wall. The end of October and November is a busy season for birthdays in my family, combined with, dare I say it, Christmas looming on the horizon. No matter how much I feel enthusiastic about the work I’m doing I have to be careful to balance it with other commitments in the rest of my life.

A little sidenote. The purpose of this letter, and of all the other letters you’ll find here on my Substack is to share my thoughts and experiences as I navigate my way through the ups and downs of my business. The things that inspire me might not inspire you. My goals and dreams may not be in line with yours, but that’s okay. I share, not to tell you how you should be doing things, but in the hope that my being messily human in my business helps you in some way.

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Work with me in October

I realise that something I’ve not been very good at lately is sharing what I do and inviting you to work with me. I won’t ever turn these letters into sales emails, but once a month I’ll share my upcoming availability and any other products or services I have to offer.

Reflexology and Mentoring in Newcastle upon Tyne and surrounding areas.

I currently have the following appointments available on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 8am and 4pm. I offer a mobile service, visiting you in the comfort of your own home (or workspace if it’s appropriate).

- Soothe. A 60 minute reflexology and relaxation therapy session. Focusing on soothing and nurturing the nervous system and helping you let go of physical and emotional stress.

- Reconnect. A 90 minute combined reflexology, relaxation therapy and mentoring session, ideal as a monthly check-in. A chance to step back from your business, reconnect with your body and then make a plan for supporting your wellbeing as you work towards your business goals for the month ahead.

- Untangle. Three months of reflexology and mentoring. A supportive package aimed at helping you come back from the verge of burnout and make positive changes to your approach to work life balance.

You can reply to this email or contact me at claire@musingsandmondays.com if you’d like to find out more.

Wishing you an inspired month. Be gentle with yourself.

Claire x