Reflection questions
How are you feeling this morning? Is there anything on your heart or mind?
Is there something you're doing that you don't want to do? Can you simplify?
How can you be kind to yourself right now?
Day 2: You can’t do it all
Reflection questions
What can you remove from your to-do list (or shift to a different day)?
What are you doing for someone else that you really need to do for yourself?
What is it time to let go of?
Day 3: Small kindnesses
Listen to Joy read the poem…
Listen to a short meditation…
Day 4: Prioritize fall fun
Listen to a meditation before writing…
Journal prompts
What experiences do you positively associate with fall? (For example, taking a hike, picking apples, decorating for Halloween.) List everything you can think of.
Reread your list and notice which parts of fall bring you most alive (pay attention to your body and heart responses).
Choose two autumn experiences that feel most important.
Look at your calendar and schedule these two fall events. Create enough space to fully enjoy them. (Don't cram them in between other things.)
Day 5: Loving-kindness
Additional phrases
May I breathe with the rhythms of the earth.
May I listen to what is quiet and true.
May I walk gently through the world.
May I keep returning to love.
Day 6: Experience autumn awe
Day 7: Make room for joy
Journal prompts
Write about a recent experience where you felt happy, at ease, or joyful. Include all the details.
How does this experience feel in your body?
What qualities are present?
What qualities are absent?
Day 8: Ancient language
Day 9: Create a clearing
Journal prompts
Where do you most need a “clearing in the dense forest of your life”? What calls to you first?
What blocks your sense of space? What gets in the way?
What opens your sense of space? Who or what cultivates a clearing?
Remember: Meaningful change happens with small steps. What’s one small step you can take toward a clearing?
Day 10: Live close up
Listen to Joy read the poem…
Day 11: Connect to goodness
Quick journal prompt
Make a list of the many (small and big) things that went well this week.
Day 12: Compassion
Phrases
I care about your struggles yet cannot take them away from you.
I wish you happiness and peace yet cannot make your choices for you.
May I remain peaceful and let go of expectations.
May I see my limits compassionately, just as I view the limitations of others.
Day 13: Connect through emotions
Day 14: Sense Foraging
Day 15: Be a mirror for others
Day 16: A refreshing mantra
Day 17: Start Close In
Listen to Joy read the poem…
Day 18: Getting clarity
Reflection questions
Is there a bigger perspective that you need? Widen your lens to see what's most important. How can this bigger perspective give you a specific direction right now?
Do you have a bigger perspective yet need to take care of details? If so, list three details that need attention. For each task, write down one small, concrete step you can take.
Are you procrastinating on a project because you really care about it (and failing is vulnerable)? If so, spend time writing about why you care. Get in touch with the meaning and purpose. Then choose one small step you can take to move forward. (The world needs what you care about!)
Are you doing too many projects/tasks all at once? How can you simplify? What’s the most important project? (They all may feel important but you can’t do it all.) Choose one thing to work on for the next 45 minutes.
Do you feel uninspired, blah, or not sure where to begin? Make a list of activities, tasks, and projects that make you feel good or to which you’re most committed or that you believe in. (It’s okay if the list is small or the activities are minor.) Choose one thing from the list and take a small, doable step in that direction.
Day 19: Sympathetic joy
Phrases
Your joy brings me joy.
May your happiness and good fortune continue.
Happiness is boundless.
Day 20: Appreciation practice
Day 21: New moon intention
Day 22: Make a 1-degree shift
Day 23: Ground yourself
Day 24: Fall sadness (it’s okay!)
Listen to Joy read the poem…
Listen to a short meditation…
Day 25: Rest is essential
Journal prompts
What does rest mean to you?
Make a list of all the ways you can rest—activities that rest your body, mind, and heart.
From this list, what calls to you most strongly?
What’s one small step you can take (this weekend!) to rest?
day 26: Equanimity
Day 27: Sing out your stress
Day 28: Intentional Holidays
Day 29: Rest in the middle of things
Day 30: Reflect and celebrate
Journal prompts
Reflect on a time this month where you made an intentional choice to do something differently. Write about it in detail.
Reflect on something you let go of this month. Write about it in detail.
Reflect on something you created or nurtured this month. Write about it in detail.
Make a list of all the small or big YAYS that happened this month. Anything you can think of—write it down.
pause and breathe