8 things to let go of this October 🍂

are we as courageous and willing and intuitive as the trees in autumn?

dearest october, within your winds of change and letting go,

take with you anything that does not align with my soul.

- taylor ashley

Hello, you.

It’s happening here. The golden, orange, amber, and brown hues of autumn are popping up everywhere here and there. And I am thoroughly enchanted and bewitched. This year, however, it doesn’t feel like it’s happening all at once. It’s more like a slow burn. Trees and bushes and plants turning, one at a time, over the past week and throughout the upcoming weeks. Like a slow wave of autumn washing over the city and the land. Almost as if each plant knows when it is their time.

Nevertheless, the leaves are turning and falling ever so slowly to the ground. Surrendering and giving in to the earth, where they will wither and disintegrate. But, where they will also become nutrients that feed the earth and promote new growth to rise up again one day. It is all a part of the cycle of life.

And, what a gift it is, I believe, to watch it all happening.

I wonder though - do I know when it is my time to give in, to surrender, to release, and to let go? Am I as courageous and willing and intuitive as the trees in autumn?

In honor of the slow surrendering of leaves to the earth, and inspired to follow their example, I have gathered up some courage, tapped into my own intuition, and taken some time to think about what I need to let go of.

This year, I want to celebrate the shift of the seasons and actively align myself with the energy of autumn by releasing a bunch of sh*t that is just not necessary in life. Thoughts, ideas, beliefs, feelings that I believe we all face at one time or another. You know what I mean. Those things that hold us back from living the life that we really want to live. Those words or thoughts that we are stuck in, that keep us dragging our feet and continually haunt us, like ghosts of our past selves, hindering us from living as our highest selves.

So, inspired by the wisdom of the trees, I declare today, I declare the rest of October, as the time to let go of it all. All of the negativity and old ghosts. All of the fears and dark thoughts. It’s time to release it all and claim the life that our soul whispers to us in the dark. 

Because, my friend, we are so worth it. 

So, as we move forward and onward, down into the growing darkness of October, I wanted to write to you about letting go. I’ve gathered a few things that my 50 years of life have taught me in learning how to become the person I am meant to be and how to create the slow, rhythmic life that I feel called to live. I don’t want to sound preachy at all, nor do I claim to have figured out anything in life; but I have gathered some lessons as I have traveled through life. And, in this letter, I want to share with you some of the things I have released over the years. I hope one or two resonate with or inspire you.

Let’s let go of these things together, and surrender to the deep, dark, wise energy of late autumn. There is deep, meaningful magic to be found right in the middle of our everyday life. If we simply dare to release the past and be truly present right here, right now. Ready?

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Let go of the impulse to compare yourself to others

Oh, my friend. We are all worthy and beautiful and fabulous just because we are who we are. There is no one else like you. Never has been and never will be again. So, own all that you are. Embrace your quirks, your faults, your amazingness, and everything that makes you, you.

It is not easy, of course. And it has been the thing that I have struggled with most at times. Wishing and wanting to have a trait or a gift that I see in others. I still fall into that trap every now and then, to be honest, especially with social media and even here on Substack. But, I become so much better at accepting and loving myself with each passing year. So, with this autumn, I release, once again, the need to compare myself. Instead, I will remind myself how unique and I am, how my voice is needed, and how I am here to not be the best at any one thing, but to simply be the best at being me.

Now, you do the same, ok?

Let go of the need to have a plan

Yeah. Just let that go. Because it isn’t gonna turn out at all like you thought or expected. Nothing about my life has. Oh, continue to have dreams and goals, of course. But, resist the urge to have everything planned out and set in stone. Life is fluid and dynamic and changing. The best that we can learn, in my opinion, is how to be as zen as possible. How to set our intentions and release them out into the world, actively making decisions, but also staying aware and mindful and grounded as the twists and turns of life come our way. How to flow with the rhythms of life.

More often than not, life will actually unfold much more beautifully than we ever imagined.

So, throw away that planner. Ok, not completely. But, be ready to scratch things out and rebook or adjust your plans. Instead, set your sights on your vision for life, your intentions of how you want life to feel, allowing the universe and the energy and love of life flow through you, guiding you all along the way. One day at a time.

Let go of the need to fit in

Be yourself, my friend. Find your own path. Do your own thing. No one ever said that you had to do life the same way everyone else does it. So, find that inner witch (or inner whatever) and set them free. Who cares what everyone else thinks? We definitely shouldn’t. We should be proud of ourselves, proud to be who we are, even if that means that we are a wee bit off – according to society’s expectations.

Besides, what is “normal” anyway? Dare to be different. Dare to just be you. However you look, whatever you dream of, whoever you love, whatever path you choose to take.

Let go of the idea that there is a right way + a wrong way

There is no right. There is no wrong. There is only truth. Your truth. Take the time you need to discover it. Claim it. Walk it. Live it.

Let go of negativity (people around you)

You just don’t need them. If there is anyone who is sucking the life out of you, not adding inspiration to your life, then you don’t need them. You do not have to be around them. I mean, sometimes you have to be around negative people who you may run into or work with. But, that doesn’t mean that they have to suck the ever-living-life out of you. Be kind and accepting, but do not lose yourself in the swirl of chaos that is another person. Find strategies and ways to deal with the negativity by giving yourself space. Set boundaries.

When you can, surround yourself with positive people. People who lift you up, inspire you, make you smile, make you a better person, challenge you, feed your soul.

Choose your community, dear one. It really is ok to pick your friends - and even family, should you find yourself stuck in a harmful (physically or emotionally) situation. So be choosy and careful and selective. And to bring positive vibes, calm, and peace into your life. You deserve that.

Let go of your fear of the dark

Autumn means that the dark half of the year is here. The days grow much shorter and daylight fades away. Many people really dislike this time of year. Some of you really struggle with it. And that is a legit challenge which sometimes requires professional help. For others, it’s just an uncomfortable time when we feel a bit more uneasy or even restless.

But, whenever you can, try to discover the beauty of the dark. Try to lean into it instead of fighting against it. Feel the coziness of the dark. Embrace the mystery and silence of the dark. Use this season, these months ahead, to turn inward. To go into the dark and feel the potential that is there.

The truth is, the dark is necessary. All of nature, including us, need the balance of this season of the year. And it can be quite a lovely time. It is mystical and magical. It is solitary and intentional and peaceful. Dwell in it. And go deeper into who you really are.

Let go of your powerlessness

You have everything that you need already within you, my friend. Light. Courage. Bravery. Love. And so much more. The thing is, if you want something, if you dream of something, then all you have to do is tap into your soul. It’s all right there. Some people call it spirit, some call it a light. Others call it love, magic, gut, divinity. Whatever you call it, it is within you. As close as your breath. And it is ready to help you create the life you are called to.

So, slow down. Create space (hint: autumn and winter darkness is the perfect time for this). Get quiet. Listen. Feel. And then, let it all rise up from within you and flow our of you. You have the power to create your life and you are meant for so much amazingness.

Let go of the idea that you have to choose. 

You don’t. There is no either/or. You deserve everything you can dream up. You do not have to choose between a family and a job. Your spouse or your friends. Your dreams or security. Money or happiness. I truly, deeply believe that, if we dream it, if it comes from our soul, and if we pursue it, then the universe will conspire with us to make all things possible. The only question is…

What is it that we really want? What is it that our soul yearns for? 

Once we know, then it’s just to chase that dream and be the hero of our own story.

So, my friend, what do you want to let go of? What do you need to release? Talk with me. Share with us in the comments below.

And, every time you see a leaf slowly, intentionally, freely fall to the ground this autumn, remember to breathe and let go - release all that does not serve you. Just let it die and fall to the ground. And then rest in the silence of the dark months ahead. Trust the process. Discover what is waiting to rise up from within you.

October blessings of release, sweet one.

xoxo. liz.

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