Celebrating the change of season
Here we are approaching another change of season. In the United States, we just passed Labor Day, which is the unofficial beginning of autumn. And in case there was any question in my mind, Labor Day brought a sudden drop in temperature where I live. Autumn is truly in the air.
I’ve always found the beginning of each season naturally inspires some self-reflection and an opportunity for a reset if one is needed. For a time, I was creating seasonal bucket lists…a mix of enjoyable activities I wanted to do and tasks I wanted to accomplish over the next three months.
It’s been two years since I created a formal bucket list, but I’m feeling a pull toward giving it another go…with a bit of a twist. To reduce any pressure to complete everything on the list, I am calling it my Autumn Possibilities List. I will be dividing those possible activities according to my four core values.
Health and Fitness
- Schedule a colonoscopy. Perhaps this is not the funnest way to start my list, but I might as well get it over with, right? I had my first colonoscopy when I was 50, and they discovered and removed some polyps. I went back again at age 55. That screening came back clean, but because of my history of polyps, the doctor recommended that I repeat the procedure in five years (as opposed to the standard 10). Well, five years came and went, then six, and now seven. So, it’s time I bite the bullet, and get this important screening behind me (pun intended).
- Reinforce healthy eating habits before the holidays get underway. For me, healthy eating means eating real food, not too much, mostly plants. (If you’re interested in learning more, see this post.)
- Look into hearing aids. Poor hearing runs in my family. In recent years, I have struggled to hear whispering or soft voices. If we are sitting across from each other, speaking at a normal volume, no problem…but lower your voice to share a confidence, and your secret is definitely safe with me, as I’ll have no idea what you said. I may or may not decide that hearing aids are the answer, but it’s worth checking into.
Joy
- Bake a pumpkin treat. If you know me at all, you know I love a good pumpkin cookie, bread, latte, or just about anything else. And, just in case you didn’t know, pumpkin is a superfood, which I explained in more detail in this previous post. I’ve been trying new recipes since my retirement, and I feel it is necessary to add a pumpkin treat to that list.
- Eat dinner at Ruth’s Chris Steak House. This is our go-to restaurant for special occasions, like birthdays and our anniversary, but various circumstances have kept us from getting there for the last couple of celebrations. I plan to remedy that when my birthday rolls around in October.
- See Oppenheimer in the theater. I’ve been wanting to see this movie since it hit the theaters, but haven’t made it a priority. I think it’s time to schedule a matinee date with my husband.
- Go on a fall leaf viewing excursion. Whether this turns out to be a drive or a hike, I just don’t want to miss this seasonal sensation.
Life-long learning and growth
- Try something new at least once a week. I don’t have any major new skills that I am just dying to learn, so I’m thinking the way to approach this core value is to try a lot of little things. This could mean testing a new recipe, walking a different route, going someplace I haven’t been before, visiting a new blog, listening to a new song… You get the idea.
Meaningful relationships
- Gather with our friends in Mazatlán. This trip is already in the works, and I am really looking forward to it.
- Prepare the Christmas gift name draw for our family party and start Christmas shopping. I have actually purchased my first Christmas gift already, so I’ve got a jump on this one. I’ll get serious about it in October.
- Spend time with friends and family regularly…have at least one activity on the calendar at all times. I’m not talking about major events here. More often than not, it will be lunch, dinner, a walk, or a coffee date. The important thing is taking the time to cultivate relationships.
Your turn
- Do you have any special plans…large or small…for the season?
- If you wear hearing aids, any tips for success?
- Have you seen Oppenheimer? What did you think?
- What else is on your mind? Anything at all; I just love to hear from you.
Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay
Hi Christie – I really like the idea of calling it a Possibilities List rather than a Bucket List – it keeps the pressure off and there’s not compulsion to tick everything off.
I keep telling myself I need a colonoscopy – but keep putting it off until down the track – after two ops in the last year, I’m reluctant to go through all that again any time soon.
As far as hearing aids go, I’m also fighting that til the bitter end – I don’t hear as well as I used to, but I’m also putting that off too. Very expensive and I just feel like they’re another “getting older thing” that I’m baulking at…… Let us know how you go – it might inspire me 🙂
Hello Leanne. I got the idea for calling it a possibilities list from another blogger some time ago…I think Pat.
I can certainly understand you not wanting to go in for another procedure when you’ve been through so much recently. My husband is in a similar situation, eventually needing a new dental crown, but not wanting to do it now, because he has had several surgeries this year.
And I can relate to your hesitancy about hearing aids. I’m afraid I won’t like the feel of them and that the background noise will seem too loud, but we shall see. Luckily, my insurance does cover a portion of the cost. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Happy spring to you!
Last week I was ready for autumn, then this week our temperatures soared and we are baking. I’ve got 2 fans going in my office in an attempt to keep cool (one on the desk to keep my face from boiling over, one on the floor for my body). All around me people are cheering the return of higher temps and sunshine. While I love an Indian summer in September, that’s more usually sunny and warm enough without being through the roof and triggering my asthma. Hey ho, climate change…
I love the idea of calling your list a Possibilities list. Less pressure, more inclination to get those things done is how I suspect it will pan out. I’d love to hear how it works for you as I think it’s something I’ll be recommending to my clients.
We are in a similar weather situation here, Debs. Monday was sweater weather and now we’re back to shorts and flip flops. As long as we don’t get back up near 100 degrees, I’m okay. I enjoy the low 80s, which is where we are sitting now. As for the possibilities list, I got that idea from another blogger. It’s been a while, but I think it was Pat at Retirement Transition. I’ll keep you posted as the season progresses.
Yup, I agree – the low 80s is about my comfortable limit these days. I don’t know how Himself copes out all day in a vehicle without air con.
Thank you for promising to keep me posted – I do appreciate it. And I will let you know how it goes down with my clients.
My first car didn’t have air conditioning, and I swore I would never do that again…and I haven’t!
I’m with you on that! Unfortunately, Himself works for a cheapskate.
Well, best of luck to him. Hopefully, the worst of the heat is over for this year.
Christie, there is nothing like a change of seasons to spark introspection. Making a list of possibilities is a great way to hold yourself accountable while allowing room for adjustments. That is what the eraser at the end of the pencil is for! We haven’t experienced a significant change in temperatures, and still have two months to go with hurricane season, but I do feel a slight shift in energy.
I am looking forward to a week in Canada in November, loving my twice-weekly strength training classes, and we can finally see light at the end of the tunnel regarding relocating my MIL to an assisted living community.
I love that, Suzanne: “That is what the eraser at the end of the pencil is for!” It certainly is. Good luck with this hurricane season. It seems to be starting out with a bang. Enjoy your time in Canada. I went there (British Columbia) for the first time a couple of months ago. It was so beautiful. And, of course, I’m happy to hear that things are moving along with your MIL’s relocation.
Somehow all my plans for the autumn have just taken a back seat when after 2 months of rain and cool temperatures we’ve suddenly been plummeted back into summer with an unseasonal heatwave. Too hot even to start the annual tidy up and putting to bed of the garden ready for winter not to mention the seasonal scrutiny of my wardrobe all of which I then planned to follow with making travel plans and restarting my genealogy research. At least I’m getting some unexpected outdoor eating and socialising as well as meditation practice and Yoga amongst the foliage. It’s languid but relaxing, however I’m ready now for the re-energising that the shift to cooler temperatures and autumn brings.
We are back in the summer heat again as well, Caree, though not as bad as this time last year…and not as hot as other parts of the country are experiencing…so I guess I should count my blessings. I’m happy to hear that you are enjoying outdoor activities. Why does food always taste better when you are outdoors?