Rhythm over routine.

Some experiments I'm running this autumn

Autumn arrived all at once. From one day to the next, and with an intensity that I’m not sure we were ready for. Gale-force winds, grey skies, and pouring rain replaced our hot summer days and thrust us into a new chapter, whether we liked it or not.

I think I’ve just about adjusted. I’m still holding out some hope for a dreamy late summer stint, but I’m not holding my breath. Over the last few months, I’ve taken full advantage of the long days - getting up with the sun and enjoying those magic few hours where it feels like no one else is awake. Early bird surfs & hikes. Morning swims and late walks after dinner. But the days are getting shorter, and somehow I find myself having to squeeze more into an ever-decreasing window with a sense that someone is stealing my time.

I’ve grown up in a household (ha, and a society) that values productivity and efficiency. It’s so ingrained in me that I sometimes think it’s my superpower and Achilles heel combined. My somatic therapist called me out on it recently - she laughed as we went through my self-care list that included a whole lot of doing and not much being.

So this autumn, I’m intentionally stepping out of routine and into rhythm. I’m loosening my grip on my ‘plan’ for each day and creating space for a more fluid way of working and living. It feels like the right time of year to do it - it’s not quite as easy to stick to a set plan when you’re dealing with weather-related curveballs and decreasing light.

Here’s what I know to be true - the darker seasons here can feel pretty damn miserable if we try to stick to a rigid routine. But when we remember that we’re not robots and that we’re actually part of this one magic ecosystem, we can fall into the same rhythm as nature.

Here’s what I’m experimenting with -

Giving my non-negotiables some freedom - It’s not about throwing away structure, it’s just about expanding the container. Right now, that means planning a weekly flow as opposed to a daily routine.

Adapting my workflow for the season - Shifting more of my work into the darker hours and freeing up some time in the day to go outside and play. Emails can be done early when it’s still dark or on days when the rain is lashing down. I’ll happily work over the weekend if it means being able to make the most of good weather and play outside during the week.

Inviting the weather, tides & light to influence how I plan my day - Getting back into a routine of checking the conditions and maximising the time I can spend outdoors.

Zooming out and using this transition period intentionally - The shift in seasons is an amazing time to take a step back and look at your strategy. I’m excited to have time for us to zoom out, review and plan.

Honouring the need to rest, nourish & replenish - My body knows what season we’re in, even if my mind is trying to override it. I’m sleeping in a little longer and making time for the slow stuff - cooking, writing, saunas and stargazing.

Actively creating space for deep work in my week - I’ve gone back to blocking out Monday mornings & all day Friday so I don’t have any calls (I can’t tell you how transformational this has been).

Becoming best friends with my nervous system - I’ve learned a LOT in the last year about regulating my nervous system, and it’s honestly been one of the most impactful things I’ve done. This book is a great place to start.

*And yes, I know, all this stuff is much easier to do if you work for yourself. But even with a 9-5 job, you’d be amazed at how much space you can make.

Also - please know that this is, and will continue to be, a work in progress. I’m not nailing this every day. I’m trying (and yes, I see the irony in my trying so hard). But I wrote this today because I got up early to train and then headed out for a hike, followed by breakfast, and then a dreamy sauna & swim combo at high tide. Of course, that means a full-on afternoon of work (that will probably spill into this evening), but that’s what rhythm looks and feels like for me right now. And as far as experiments go - I’m loving this one.