The Beauty of Fresh Starts
New beginnings, shifting into fall, and pistachio vanilla bean chocolate chunk cookies
We as humans love a fresh start. A new beginning, an excuse for a clean slate. These fresh starts come in an unlimited amount of forms throughout the year. It starts with new years (think resolutions), then birthdays, maybe you are moving, coming back from a vacation, a new month, even Mondays. One of my favorites is the start of a new season.
As much as we romanticize a fresh start, it is just as important to consider time for reflection and stillness. Too often what we allow to fuel us into starting over is the guilt of “getting off track”. I despisseee the term getting off track or “falling off the wagon” in terms of health. I don’t think there is such a thing. What is the point of taking care of yourself if you don’t let loose and enjoy life. Health ebbs and flows and you can’t get down on yourself for not being on routine all the time. Health is no longer healthy when it becomes an obsession.
Routine and stability are important but there is no growth or learning without change. You need those “down times” in order to have the “high times”. Just as you need a break from work in order for successful productivity and creativity in your work.
We oftentimes like to set these insane goals for ourselves without even looking at our past patterns and habits. Before you jump into a new goal or “fresh start”, take a pause. Think about what your intention is, reflect on the prior week, month, year.
Ask yourself what went well, what didn’t. What gave you energy, and what drained your energy. How can you do more things that give you energy and less of what drains you? What are you grateful for? With the new goal(s) you have in mind, what is one thing you can do TODAY to get closer to that goal?
This practice really helps me think, re-center and guide myself for when I am craving a new beginning. And I have had those moments a few times this past month with my birthday, the seasons changing, and getting back from vacation.
A fresh start is the easy way, but how is that fresh start going to differ from your last? THAT is where intention, reflection and stillness comes in so that you can create a long-term sustainable and successful path for yourself.
Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall
With each new season not only comes the opportunity to “start fresh”, but it also comes with an entirely new shift of vibes. When summer comes along, there is a new sense of energy, freshness, lightness and fun. Now that summer is shifting into fall, we are starting to feel more cozy, warm and grounded.
I really just dove right in today, I just MISSED you guys. I am finally back from vacation. It truly was so magical, but I was ready to be back writing and creating. This morning I am sipping on a dirty chai latte (well I have about three beverages in front of me if you can’t tell I missed my kitchen) and eating some vanilla bean chocolate chip pistachio cookies (SO GOOD, recipe below).
I am completely channeling the fall season with my warm chai latte & warm cookies, and I have listed a few ways to embrace the fall and change in seasons below…
FALL VIBES
Reflection Time
Journaling
Baking
Warm Beverages (.....I will still be having iced butttt)
Spices + Herbs
Grounding Foods
Bone Broth
Reading
Deep Stretching
Yoga + Lower Impact Movement
Sunset Walks
Cozy Picnics
Soups
Game Nights
Family + Friend Quality Time
Movie Marathons
What would you add to this list?
Aaaand the perfect time to start baking is TODAY. I have been lovinggg chocolate pistachio combination it is so delicious and pistachios are in peak season right now. I think eventually I will make some sort of loaf but originally I was craving cookies and these came together PERFECT. They are easy to make and soft and light. I made them for dessert before my trip and as soon as I got back made them for breakfast this morning.