Hello Reader,
I spent a glorious few days up in Tofino last week. It was exactly what I needed: sunshine, friends, fun. Now I'm spending this next week setting myself up to move into fall with ease and flow.
If you remember last week I wrote about the late-August tired that had grabbed hold. This week I want to give you something a touch more practical. I see that many of us build our autumn routines in September, in a hurry, and then spend until November wondering why it doesn't fit. And I'm currently rejoicing that my fall is already planned, and I'm excited for what's to come.
If you're not sure yet, now is a good time to make some choices while nothing has started yet.
Four questions to sit with
1. When is your energy actually good?
I would like to be a 5am ready to go work-out person, but I'm not. I do love mornings but I'm not really ready to engage with the world until after 9. So when is your energy actually good? Some people are morning folks and some are useless until ten. Some come alive again at five in the afternoon. I recommend putting the movement you care about inside one of your windows of energy, rather than when it feels most disciplined.
2. What's the smallest version you'd still do on a bad week?
Having an autoimmune disease, this feels like an important question, because sometimes my energy just tanks. And really every routine gets tested by a bad week. It's not going to go perfectly, so it's a good idea to have a back up plan. Decide now what the reduced version looks like. Maybe it's ten minutes, one class instead of two, a walk. You can name it in advance so you're not negotiating with yourself in the moment.
3. Where does your recovery fit in?
A few years ago I started scheduling a break in my day. I believe my southern European friends are really onto something! And for many of us autumn asks for more output. We're dealing with more logistics, earlier mornings, darker evenings. It makes sense that if you're adding more effort you add the recovery alongside it. Sleep, warmth, food you don't have to think about. Whatever it is, get rest on the calendar too.
4. What did you learn last fall?
I shared last week that I know I start to fizzle late August. I also usually get a resurgence of energy come mid-September. Take a moment to evaluate. What worked for you in the past? What fell apart by week three? What do you already know you won't do again? Your own history is good data for the decisions ahead.
Now pick one thing
Mine is a Tuesday night run with my neighbour.
I recommend choosing one thing rather than a whole new routine. When we try to change everything at once it often falls apart quickly. Put yours in the calendar for the next eight weeks and build from there.
If you're ready to anchor in some structure for your routine right now, autumn classes start September 9th.
The fall session runs eight weeks, live on Zoom, with replays if you miss one.
Pilates as Practice
Mondays at 6:00pm, Sept 14 to Nov 2
Wednesdays at 5:30pm, Sept 9 to Oct 28
Pilates for Strength and Ease
Wednesdays at 9:30am, Sept 9 to Oct 28
Strength Training
Fridays at 9:30am, Sept 11 to Oct 30. New this session. You'll need hand weights and loop bands.
👉 See the full schedule and register
Until next time, take good care.
❤️
Meg