Transitions are natural. Let’s make them smoother while we walk and talk…
It’s August 4th, and in Maryland many children don’t return to school until the end of this month or the beginning of September. However, you can feel the shift in the air — and nature therapy for seasonal change can help you walk through it, literally.
Signs of Seasonal Transition Are Already Appearing
I was on a walk and talk nature therapy session in Baltimore County last week and, just on the heels of the heatwave, you could feel the slight breeze in the air. We even saw a couple of vibrant leaves already turning. Some were beginning to gently fall away from the trees. These subtle shifts are happening all around us, even as the stores are filled with return to school supplies.
How Are You Feeling About the Shift from Summer to Fall?
Maybe you’re staying blisfully involved in the summer sun. Maybe you already have a Fall calendar built out. Maybe you’re somewhere in between. There’s really no right or wrong and I think it’s cool that everyone finds their own way. But, what if you’re not sure of your way? What if those pesky “what if” questions are swirling already? If that’s you, you aren’t alone. (Otherwise, I wouldn’t be writing a post about it).
Why Transitions Can Feel Emotionally Heavy
For many of us, transitions are met with mixed emotions. We get used to our routines (or maybe less of a routine during summer) and it can be a heavy lift to shift back into something else, especially as a parent guiding your children. No matter what’s coming up for you, it’s valid and it’s welcome here.
What Nature Can Teach Us About Change
Nature has been a steady presence reminding me that, really, everything is always transitioning and evolving. If you really take the time to notice, nothing is actually staying the same. If that scares you, remember, that means you might be handling change better than you think!
Real Stories from Walk and Talk Therapy Clients
It’s one thing for me to say this; it’s quite another when my clients experience this firsthand. I’ve seen many “lightbulbs” light up during nature therapy walk and talk or seated sessions here in Maryland. Through outdoor therapy sessions in Baltimore, our reconnection with the natural world becomes a powerful reminder that we are always evolving; that seasons don’t just dramatically shift, but actually gradually fade. There’s space in that realization. There’s room to breathe. Room to imagine how things might be “good different” or “neutral different” rather than our familiar sense of dread. You know, the Sunday Scaries version of the seasonal change? That one.
I’ve walked with quite a few clients (yes, literally) through that dread and it is so cool to see that fade into an appreciation for seasons, changes, and growth. It’s not that all of the sudden we love change, but moreso that we can appreciate the opportunities in it. That mental shift happens beautifully in the natural world, because it models it for us. It immerses us in it.
Gentle Journal Prompts for This Season
So, here are some questions for you. I invite you to reflect on these. Maybe grab a pen and paper and jot down some thoughts. Bonus if you do it outside:
1. What feelings are coming up for you this time of year?
2. What are you looking forward to about this transition?
3. What are you not looking forward to?
4. Who can walk with you during this time? (Literally and metaphorically)
Let’s Walk Through This Season Together
Feel into these reflections and remind yourself that you don’t have to do this transition alone. Find your supports. Lean into them. Ready to experience how nature can support your transition this season? I’m currently welcoming new walk-and-talk therapy clients in Baltimore and surrounding areas. I also offer seasonal nature groups for mothers and perinatal providers. Let’s get out there, together!
In Support,
Lauren
