Taking a moment for the season – mindfulness with Roscrea's Emma

As October draws to a close, autumn storms, darker evenings, and spooky movie suggestions on the streamers remind us that the Halloween season is upon us.

For those of us who love this time of year, there is much to be appreciated. Orange and red leafed trees adorn the greens and parks, cozy fires are coming alight, and snuggly autumn jumpers are finding their way out of our wardrobes.

There is much to love about this time of year, but it can feel short and easily missed as winter traditions are fast on its heels.

As seasons overlap

As I walked around the supermarket last weekend, I noticed an expansion of winter and Christmas chocolates, calendars and festive gifts everywhere. It was hard to locate any Halloween items amongst them.

I observed to my husband that the Christmas and holiday items seemed to have arrived earlier this year. Usually we can experience the orange and black delights of Halloween before the red and green signs of Christmas appear in the stores. This year, they arrived together it seemed to me, like a seasonal duo.

For me this took away a little from the usual magic of Halloween and the autumnal sights and sounds it brings. I found I was somewhere between autumn and winter, without the rhythm of these usually staggered events to guide me.

Standing still in this season

As useful and comforting as it can be to draw from the seasonal reminders around it, when these seasonal sign posts overlap it can feel a little disorienting and confusing.

While I can remember growing up with an excited lead up to Halloween, followed later by a growing anticipation for Christmas, the demands and speed of modern life don’t necessarily allow for that space anymore.

If this space and experience of walking into each season is important for your wellbeing, then it will be important to try to slow things down a little, and cultivate that space for yourself. This is not easily done when the world around us is telling us to speed up.

For me, this slowing down was helped by gently noticing the Christmas and winter items in the supermarket without being drawn into looking or buying just yet.

While the temptations of speed and panic are all around us, stepping back and reassuring ourselves that we can come back to these things in our own time without suffering great loss can really support our wellbeing. In other words, throwing the fomo in the bin and allowing ourselves to walk at our own pace.

Staying true to ourselves

When it comes to wellbeing, one practice often explored is the practice of staying true to our own values and beliefs. While we can share many seasonal experiences as a community, there are usually traditions unique to us as a household or family or simply as an individual.

As the modern world becomes more and more demanding, our individual traditions can get compromised. Streamers “recommend” films and series’ to us constantly so we may not get to watch the oldie we really wanted, ads and pressure to buy things we may not need or want are everywhere, and the early arrival of Christmas stockings can distract from the fulfilling enjoyment of Halloween.

At this time of year, these unique experiences that help us to stay true to ourselves may extend to decoration, trick or treating, seasonal meals cooked, or rituals enjoyed. Why not take a moment to block out the noise, and connect with the things that make this season special for you?

A final thought

While this Halloween and autumn season can bring joys for many, it can be too easy to get lost in the reminders of seasons still to come. This can take away from the enjoyment of the moment. Taking a moment to connect with our own values and practices can support us to walk, not run, through this season, and into the next.

Emma Coonan from Roscrea is an Accredited Psychotherapist with IAHIP and ICP, Lectures in Psychotherapy, and is an Adult Education Trainer. After leaving Coláiste Phobal, Emma studied English and Media in Maynooth before combining her Psychotherapy training with experience in the corporate world. Emma focuses on applying Psychotherapy practices for everyday living, through developing resilience, stress response, and mindfulness