As autumn deepens, bringing cooler temperatures, shorter days, and falling leaves, we receive a gentle invitation from nature: to turn inward, slow down, and reflect. Rather than waiting until January to set our goals, autumn provides an ideal time to reset our minds, energy, and intentions—aligning with nature’s rhythm of rest and reflection.
Each year, I find myself more inspired and energised at this time than during the typical New Year season. There’s less pressure, fewer expectations, and a greater sense of clarity when focusing on shorter, manageable goals that carry me through to March. By working in harmony with the natural cycle of Yin energy, which peaks in autumn, we can create goals that emphasise restoring, replenishing, and preparing for the growth of spring.
Here’s how I’m guiding this autumn reset, with a five-day journey to help us all set intentions that nurture and align with this slower season.
Day 1: Begin with a Moment of Meditation
Our journey begins with mindfulness. Taking a few moments to pause, breathe, and simply be is a powerful way to clear our minds, release any lingering stress, and prepare ourselves for the path ahead. I encourage you to start with a brief meditation, letting go of any expectations and simply observing your breath. This grounding will help set the tone for a calm, centered journey over the next few days.
Day 2: Visualise Your Ideal Future
Now that you’ve taken a moment to ground yourself, allow your mind to explore the future. Visualize what your life could look like between now and March. In this vision, how do you feel? How do you spend your days, and where does your energy flow? Yin energy encourages us to move with patience, presence, and grace, so let your vision reflect these values. Rather than imagining achievements based on high performance, consider what it would look like to feel balanced, fulfilled, and at peace.
Day 3: Set Gentle Goals for Now Through March
With your vision in mind, let’s shift into intention-setting. What goals feel most nourishing to you? Instead of pushing for outcomes that require constant drive and hustle, think about goals that align with rest, restoration, and a slower pace. These goals could involve building routines that support wellbeing, enhancing self-care, or completing small but meaningful tasks that give you a sense of calm progress. As you think ahead to spring, what habits or mindsets could you cultivate now to feel refreshed and ready to grow?
Day 4: Reflect on How You Spend Your Time
On this day, I invite you to consider how you’re currently spending your time and energy. Ask yourself: Are these activities bringing you closer to your goals? To set yourself up for success, try completing this prompt: “It’s March 2025, I have achieved my goals because I…” This exercise helps clarify where you want to place your energy, giving yourself permission to prioritize what’s most meaningful. Remember, with Yin energy at its peak, our intentions may be less about action and more about aligning with what truly nurtures us.
Day 5: Celebrate Your 2024 Achievements
Finally, let’s take a moment to look back and celebrate the progress you’ve made this year. It’s easy to overlook our successes, especially if they don’t fit the traditional mold of achievement. Reflect on your personal growth, relationships, and the ways you’ve stayed true to yourself. Embrace these wins, however big or small, and honor the energy, time, and care you’ve invested in yourself.
Why an Autumn Reset?
By resetting in autumn rather than at New Year, we have the chance to work in harmony with the season’s natural rhythm. This period of introspection and rest can be far more fulfilling than the pressure of planning for a whole year in January. As the clocks fall back and we enter darker, quieter days, there’s a freedom to focus on what truly matters, in smaller, intentional increments that feel manageable and aligned with nature’s invitation to turn inward.
Embracing this rhythm encourages us to approach goal-setting with self-compassion, awareness, and a sense of gentle progress. Instead of focusing on “doing,” we give ourselves permission to “be”—to nourish, to restore, and to prepare our inner world for the renewal that spring will bring.
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