Autumn’s Invitation: Embracing Letting Go
I am exploring 12 words this year - one every month to savour. You can think of each blog post in this series as a mini-guide, connected to the season and full of both the magical & the practical. This month’s word is LET GO. I am offering an online mini-retreat for midlife women this autumn called Honoring the Queen. I’d love to have you join!
I was digging through old photos last week and discovered a photo of me at 26.
I remember the moment it was taken.
And my hair. Thick and curly.
I lost my beautiful mane when going through breast cancer treatment in 2019.
When my hair grew back, it was thin and straight.
I held onto hope that my thick, curly hair would return, but it never did.
I grieved deeply over this loss.
Maybe it’s because I’m a Leo, but my hair had always been a big part of my identity.
I felt a little embarrassed - maybe even shallow - for having this grief.
It's just hair," I’d tell myself, but still, I kept it long—trying to hold onto a version of myself that no longer existed.
This summer, I realized it was time to let go—time to release the old version of myself and embrace who I’ve become.
It was time to cut it off.
Nikki, my hairstylist, worked her magic and as my hair fell to the floor, the feeling of release was palatable.
And with the grief, there was joy.
In this season, where the landscape teaches us about letting go, here are three invitations:
Let go into deep rest at our New Moon Rest Circle on October 2.
Let go of patriarchy’s narrative of growing older and step into your own Queendom at the October 19 online mini-retreat, Honoring the Queen.
Let go of what’s holding you back from sharing your gifts—book a free exploratory session with me.
Nourish yourself :
A poem, some prompts, and a scent
Nothing To Hold On To
It turns out there is nothing
to hold on to, no thing
that won’t eventually rumble,
crumble, tumble me to the ground—
leave me face down
in truth.
I can no longer pretend
that flowers bloom forever
that life isn’t both
madness and
miracle, that this too
won’t eventually pass. Even
the old oak opening
to winter’s light
will eventually let go
of everything. And how available
she is in her emptiness.
It turns out there is just this—
this blank page, these bones,
this breath—the persistent promise
of impermanence, this
eternal something
that keeps whispering me back
to life. When I empty myself.
When I open.
-Julia Fehrenbacher
Prompts for deeper reflection
Take some time to reflect on these questions.
What do I need to forgive or let go of in order to make space for new growth in the next season of my life?
What would it feel like to let go of the responsibilities or burdens that no longer serve me?
In what ways am I holding onto past versions of myself, and how can I gently let them fall away?
How does the slowing down of autumn invite me to rest and let go of the need for constant productivity?
What relationships or commitments no longer align with who I am becoming, and how can I gracefully let them go?
As the days grow shorter and nature begins to rest, where can I create more space for rest in my own life?
What gifts or insights have I gained from something I need to release, and how can I honor those as I move forward?
If I imagine myself like a tree in autumn, what remains essential even as I let go of the non-essentials?
Recipe: Breathe & Let Go
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) essential oil is known for its bright, refreshing aroma and its ability to clear stagnant energy, making it the perfect companion for letting go.
Its invigorating scent helps cleanse both mind and space, encouraging emotional release and mental clarity.
The scent of lemongrass has an intense radiant energy that inspires expansion on all levels and promotes emotional renewal (Zeck, 2014). The fresh aroma lifts the spirits, get things moving again – and opens the door to new experiences (Holmes, 2016).
Ready to refresh your space and spirit? Try this blend next time you need to let go.
Ingredients:
3 drops Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)
2 drops Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
2 drops Eucalyptus
Place essential oils, drop by drop, into your diffuser.
This blend clears the air, soothes the mind, and promotes a sense of release and ease.
Diffusing Tip
Always diffuse essential oils intermittently. Do not run your essential oil diffuser all day long. It is best to diffuse for 30 – 60 minutes and then 30 – 60 minutes off. This is more effective as both our bodies and our nervous system habituate to essential oils after this time.
Do not take essential oils internally and do not apply undiluted on the skin. Always consult a professional aromatherapist if you have medical conditions. Use caution when using essential oils with children.
References
Holmes, P. (2016). Aromatica: A Clinical Guide to Essential Oil Therapeutics. London: Singing Dragon.
Zeck, R. (2014). The Blossoming Heart: Aromatherapy for Healing and Transformation. Australia: Aroma Tours.
