Seasonal Mindset Traps (And How to Outsmart Them This Fall)

Seasonal Mindset Traps (And How to Outsmart Them This Fall)

Ever notice how your thinking shifts with the seasons? Just like the leaves that change color, our mindset can take on a different hue as fall rolls in. As a mindset coach with a penchant for pumpkin spice lattes and long walks through crisp, golden foliage, I've observed firsthand how autumn can nudge us into some mental pitfalls. But fear not! Together, we'll tackle these seasonal mindset traps and set you up for a truly transformative fall.

1. The Allure of Overscheduling

Fall often feels like the second coming of the New Year. It’s when we tend to stock our calendars with new projects, meetups, and personal development goals. Why? There's something about that back-to-school energy that makes us want to do all the things. But, as I learned the hard way, overscheduling can lead to burnout faster than you can say "pumpkin pie."

Outsmarting the Overscheduling Trap

Here’s what I tell myself and my clients during autumn’s brisk crescendo: prioritize like a squirrel hoarding nuts for winter. Focus on what's essential and let the rest fall away. Make a list of the top three activities that align with your long-term goals and allocate your energy there. Everything else can wait. Trust me, nobody needs to be juggling eight different hobbies and five work-related challenges.

2. Seasonal Affective Disorder's Sneaky Influence

As the days grow shorter, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can stealthily shade our outlook with a darker tint. I remember a particularly gray November that left me feeling less "go-getter" and more "couch-potato." It's crucial to acknowledge that our brains react to reduced sunlight and colder temperatures, often leading to a dip in mood and motivation.

Outsmarting SAD

First, permission granted to feel what you’re feeling. Then, arm yourself with a light therapy lamp and make your morning routine a priority. Incorporate outdoor walks around midday when the sun is highest; even a few minutes can make a difference. Finally, lean into those comforting social connections with friends or family—consider it emotional insulin against the fall blues.

3. Comparison Creeps in Like Fog

Fall is picturesque, but as the holiday season approaches and social media ramps up, the comparison trap looms large. It manifests when we scroll through endless feeds boasting pumpkin patch frolics, perfect Thanksgiving spreads, and mysteriously spot-free kitchens. I've been there, casting my eyes from everyone's highlight reel to my own less-than-Pinterest-worthy surroundings.

Outsmart the Comparison Trap

Flip your focus. Instead of lamenting what you don’t have, celebrate what you do. One move I swear by is keeping a “Gratitude Tree” on my fridge—each leaf an accomplishment or delightful experience from the day. Plus, Mute the Myth-Makers: unfollow or snooze accounts that dim your shine. Remember, the world only sees the reel, not the bloopers.

4. The Early-Winter Slump

As autumn winds down, December’s festive flicker can be daunting. The early-winter slump is real and it tends to arrive in the days after Thanksgiving when you’re knee-deep in leftovers and overdue shopping lists.

Outsmarting the Early-Winter Slump

To sidestep this trap, I begin setting manageable intentions early on—think of them as mini-pre-New Year's resolutions. Design a joy menu of simple pleasures to navigate this transitional time—like sipping hot cider at dusk or tackling a 5-minute meditation each morning. By creating small intentions before winter fully sets in, you bridge the mental gap with proactive positivity.

5. Letting Perfectionism Run Wild

Fall is also craft fair season, rich with DIY projects begging to be botched, I mean, attempted. Whether it’s knitting a chunky scarf or carving complicated designs into pumpkins, perfectionism can rear its head, leading us into a stress spiral of Pinterest fails.

Outsmart Perfectionism

Accept the mess with a smile. Remember, progress trumps perfection. Each “imperfection” in your handcrafted creations tells a story that’s uniquely yours. As we like to say in my circle: embrace the wobble. Your quirky effort may even pave the way for new family traditions and personal growth.

6. The Year-End Panic

Finally, let's talk year-end panic, that suffocating weight of unfinished goals and resolutions. It’s that moment when you realize the clock is winding down on 2023, leading to an abrupt “What did I even accomplish this year?”

Outsmarting Year-End Panic

Here’s the secret sauce: inventory plus gratitude. Spend an hour writing a list of everything you’ve achieved this year, no matter how small. Then, pivot and list what you’re grateful for, cultivating an attitude of ‘look how far I've come’ rather than 'I've so far to go.’ Celebrate those wins and let gratitude fuel your momentum into the New Year.

The Power 5!

1. Pare Down Your Priorities: Fall invites overcommitment; focus on three core goals and channel your energy there.
2. Light Up Your Environment: Feel the pull of the shorter days? Invest in light therapy and keep your vibes elevated.
3. Shift Your Screen Habits: Combat comparison by setting boundaries on social media; curate joy-inducing content instead.
4. Crafting is About Creation, Not Completion: Revel in the process, not the perfection, and let imperfect artsy attempts bring laughter.
5. Reflect to Propel Forward: Use gratitude and achievement lists to reframe the year-end panic into a celebration of progress.

So there you have it, your foolproof autumn guide to outsmarting those seasonal mindset traps with grace and grit. Remember, empowerment doesn't demand reshaping who you are. It’s about embracing your current season—a cheeky smile in place as you navigate life, one empowered step at a time.