Finding Your Fall Rhythm: How to Reset After Summer
- M. Hakikah Shamsideen
- Sep 3
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 4
Here is the first of four blogs in my September series. The theme for this month is
“Living in Rhythm: Preparing Spirit, Home, and Body for the Season Ahead”
"There is a rhythm in the way day dissolves into night, and night into morning. There is a rhythm as the active growth of spring and summer is quieted by the necessary dormancy of fall and winter. There is a tidal rhythm, a deep, eternal conversation between the land and the great sea."
Wayne Muller, Author of Sabbath: Finding Rest, Renewal, and Delight in Our Busy Lives
Fall is my favorite season. Here in Atlanta, even though it's mostly blazing hot, in my spirit I'm preparing for falling leaves, pumpkins, and warm cider.
I'm a fall baby, born on November 1.
This season feels like home to me: back-to-school rhythms, apples, cozy sweaters, fall festivals, and a subtle shift in the air.
For many, summer is hard to leave behind. But learning from the seasons — both literally and metaphorically — can help us step into fall with more ease.
Each Season Bears a Gift
Summer is a season of expansion — long days, spontaneous plans, and a relaxed sense of time. But as the. light shifts and the air turns crisp, our bodies and spirits crave something different: stability, routine, and a soft reset.
Spiritually, autumn represents transformation, release, and gratitude. It's a time of harvesting lessons, balancing light and dark, and preparing for new beginnings. Autumn invites us to breathe before the celebrations, gently leading us toward the return of light at the Winter Solstice.
Reflect on Summer's Lessons Every season offers its own lessons. Before moving forward, pause and consider:
What insights did summer provide regarding rest, joy, or setting boundaries?
Which habits, experiences, or lessons would you like to bring into the upcoming season?
What do you need to let go of?
Journaling prompts:
This summer taught me ________.
As I move into fall, I’m ready to release ________ and welcome ________.
Even a few minutes of reflection creates clarity, making space for the rhythm you want to create in fall.
Create an Evening Rest Ritual
Autumn carries its own energy--drawing you inward, toward quiet and rest. A simple nighttime ritual can help you close the day in a way that feels nurturing and sustainable.
Here’s my nighttime ritual, try it:
Take a warm shower or bath—to wash away the day.
Massage your body with a calming lotion or oil intended for relaxation, such as lavender, chamomile, sandalwood, ylang-ylang, bergamot, or rose. A gentle touch allows you to reconnect with your body.
Sip some herbal tea while listening to scriptures to affirmations. ( Try this tea, it's perfection.)*
Sample affirmation:
“I am in harmony with the rhythm of this season. My days and nights are filled with peace.
Pair this with a Sabbath routine. Designate one day each week dedicated entirely to rest and rejuvenation. This regular break will provide you with the space needed to tackle the rest of the week with clarity and ease.
Choose One Anchor Habit
The arrival of a new season often inspires us to tackle tasks we've postponed during the summer, such as organizing closets, beginning a new exercise routine, or overhauling our schedules. Rather than doing everything at once, select one key habit to concentrate on this fall.
Some Options
Morning pages to clear your mind.
A short prayer walk to start your day.
Five minutes of stretching before bed.
Anchor habits provide stability. By dedicating yourself to one consistent practice, you establish a foundation for incorporating other routines over time.
Tip: For a deeper dive into positive habit formation, James Clear's “Atomic Habits” offers a powerful perspective: shift from "I want to walk three times a week" to "I am a person who walks three times a week." That small mindset shift shapes identity and makes habits last.
Reset Gently
Resetting for fall doesn’t mean reinventing yourself. Think of this season as a soft landing — a time to slow down, listen, and align.
Reset is about intention, not perfection.
Your Turn
Fall is right around the corner, the perfect time to begin again, simply.
How are you preparing for fall? Share in the comments or reply to this post. Together, let's create practices that nourish our spirit, home, and body this season.
A Prayer for the Week
As you find your rhythm in this new season, carry these words with you —
a prayer to ground your week; to guide your mornings, evenings, and Sabbath rest.
God of the seasons, as summer fades and fall begins, quiet my spirit and steady my steps.
Teach me to release what no longer serves me, to carry forward the lessons of joy and rest, and to welcome the rhythm of this new season.
Bless my mornings with clarity, my evenings with peace, and my Sabbath with sacred rest.
May I move gently, resetting with intention, and finding harmony in the rhythm You designed. Amen.
A Prayer For The Week
As you find your rhythm in this new season, carry these words with you — a prayer to anchor your week and affirmations to guide your mornings, evenings, and Sabbath rest.
God of the seasons, as summer fades and fall begins, quiet my spirit and steady my steps.
Teach me to release what no longer serves me, to carry forward the lessons of joy and rest;
to welcome the rhythm of this new season.
Bless my mornings with clarity, my evenings with peace, and my Sabbath with sacred rest.
May I move gently, resetting with intention, and finding harmony in the rhythm You designed.
Amen.
Welcome Home,
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