The Leaves Are Changing, And So Are You
Emotional Shifts, Seasonal Sadness & the Myth of the “Fall Reset”
So You’re Crying Over Nothing and Drinking Iced Coffee in a Sweater…
Welcome to fall, where capitalism tells you to "get back on track", and your nervous system tells you to lie down in a pile of crunchy leaves and stare at the sky for 3 hours.
If you’ve been feeling off lately—more tired, more irritable, maybe just… hollow? It’s not just you.
As the leaves start to turn, a lot of us do too. And while social media is out here screaming "new season, new me!", your body might be whispering: “Can we just slow down for a minute?”
This post is your reminder that:
Emotional shifts are normal
Seasonal depression may not look or feel “dramatic” - or maybe it does for you
You don’t have to “fall back in love with life” to be doing okay
Change doesn’t have to be cute or aesthetic to be real
🌀 Seasonal Affective Realness (a.k.a. Not Just Sad Girl Autumn)
Let’s break it down:
🌥️ Less sunlight = changes in serotonin + melatonin = the perfect ingredients for a funky mood
😴 Energy dips? Check. Motivation drops? Check. Increased cravings, emotional sensitivity, social withdrawal? Also yes.
💻 And no, working under a weighted blanket does not technically count as therapy (but it helps).
And here’s the kicker: even if you don’t check all the boxes for “seasonal depression,” that doesn’t mean you’re not feeling the shift. Emotional weather is a thing. You’re allowed to respond.
🍁 Change Is Happening, Whether or Not You Pick a Pumpkin
You don’t have to reinvent yourself this fall.
You don’t need a new morning routine, a new wardrobe, or a planner with color-coded tabs (unless that genuinely brings you joy).
You’re not a failure if your body is asking you to slow down while the world speeds up.
The leaves aren’t resisting the change. They’re letting go.
You’re allowed to as well.
🫶 Gentle Ways to Support Yourself This Season
Here’s what might help, no pressure:
Get light. Literally. Open blinds. Sit in the sun. Consider a light therapy lamp if that’s accessible.
Eat warm. Your nervous system loves grounding foods (soups, stews, sweet potatoes, yes please).
Say no. To overcommitting, to unhealthy group chats, to pretending you’re okay when you’re not.
Move your body gently. Stretching, walking, or dance breaks to sad indie music all count.
Rest like it matters. Because it does.
You’re not lazy. You’re adapting.
You’re not broken. You’re in transition.
💌 Tag Us in Your Soft Fall Setup
Whether it’s:
Crying in your car with a seasonal coffee,
Lying on the floor in a pile of clean laundry,
Or reading this under three blankets with your cat and a lavender eye pillow—
We want to see how you're resisting hustle culture and turning inward.
We’ll be over here lighting a candle and not answering emails after 7pm.
🧭 Therapy Isn’t Just for the Crisis Months
If fall has you rethinking everything (relationships, routines, rage levels), therapy might be a good space to unpack it. No pressure. We’re here when you’re ready.
Our therapists are seeing new clients this season
Group therapy cohorts are forming
And our cozy little office is always ready for a pop-in tour (3rd Mondays from 1-1:45!)
🍂 TL;DR
You don’t need to be thriving to be okay
Seasonal sadness is real, even if it doesn’t look dramatic
Slowing down is allowed — and actually, very brave
So… if your leaves are turning, let them. You’re not falling apart — you’re falling into something new.
You’ve got this. We’ve got this together.
—
Whole Mentality
Therapy that makes space for your full humanity.