After all of the buzzy energy of September, where we eased away from summer and tiptoed into autumn with its back-to-school vibe, we’re hopefully left with uplifting memories of light filled days of fun and enjoyment shared with family and friends.

October can almost feel like a blank page. As if we’re entering a void space that will just get colder and darker as we move through it…. BUT actually I like to think of October as a bridge that leads us from the beauty of autumn into winter. We watch as the trees shed their leaves, daylight shortens and yes, there are many days when the sky may be more grey than brilliant blue and perhaps the sun won’t shine but there is always light… we just have to look for it.

In my experience before we can find light anywhere else we have to ignite our own inner light, only then can we see the light that we seek outside—the light we’re seeking is ignited within…

Take a few minutes to stop and think: what lifts your spirits and illuminates you when you feel heavy or low in energy? We each have different ways of helping ourselves to feel better, of lifting ourselves up by finding our inner light and enhancing its strength.

I don’t know what works for you, so I’ll share my simplest and hopefully some will resonate.  Of course, your ability to do some of these will depend on your household circumstances but where possible you can make space.

Simple self-care practices to start your day right

Morning Mindfulness

Upon waking if you can just spend some time centering yourself: check in with your mood- what thoughts and feelings have followed you into waking time? How does your body feel? Take some time to ask and acknowledge. It really does make a difference to focus on how you feel upon waking.

Appreciate the New Day

I open my curtains and greet the new day or at least I’ll take a look outside and greet it.

Mental Clarity through Journaling

Next, spend 5 or 10 minutes journaling about it – expressing my thoughts & feelings & getting them out & into a journal creates headspace. Sometimes I’ll use a journal app if I don’t feel like writing.

Meditate for Inner Calm

Some mornings I don’t have the time or maybe I should say I don’t make the time to journal, but I will make the time for a short meditation. I say short, for me anything from 10 to 20 minutes really works.

Seek Beauty in the Every Day

Seek beauty: I’ve started making a point of taking 10 or 15 minutes away from work to spend time with something that so for example, I might look at some art online or go through an art or architecture book, or prune my roses. Basically, anything that boost endorphins- you know what does that for you… so make time for it.

I’ve experimented endlessly and I find that my day is better when I’ve taken the time to meditate: no matter what comes my way I’m able to deal with it without being reactive: on the days that I don’t start my day with a meditation I feel the difference.

These small but powerful practices support my inner light and ultimately my ability to find light in most days: it feels good to go through my day engaging with others with kindness, patience & empathy regardless of the weather.

How do you support your inner light?

Denise x