Stop and Smell the Pumpkin Spice: A Season of Pausing

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Happy September!

Truly I had like a million topic ideas that I wish I had more time to write about this month. But alas, it is the season of business, and I had to choose one thing. So let’s talk about letting ourselves pause, take in the world around us, and find gratitude for it all. 

As I said, September is here. And for me… that means school is in session, the weather is starting to cool down (if only a little bit), the house is slowly starting to smell more like cinnamon with every fall treat baked, and the weekends are looking like library and coffee dates crammed between a busy schedule. Lots of sports are starting, clubs are in full swing, church groups are meeting consistently again, and it can be a lot on our plates at once. 

I find something so meaningful in every season, but what I love about fall is the gratitude and pause we take for the smaller things in life, and not just during Thanksgiving. It’s the whole season.

I once heard someone say that Americans put an emphasis on smells, and they didn’t understand it until they lived here themselves. I had never even considered this to be a cultural phenomenon of Americans but after researching it, I found that Americans have a culture that associates smells with cozy rituals, like the ‘cozy fall’ scent or the ‘pine and peppermint’ of winter. 

As someone who’s only ever lived in this country, it’s funny to think about other countries not immediately referring back to the smell of pumpkins, chai, and cinnamon when they think of fall. But it’s a trait that makes us so in tune with what’s around us. We are literally stopping to smell the roses and that is so beautiful. 

This brings me to the point of pausing. We know the holidays are coming, and it’s about to get busier than it already is. Sometimes it can be hard when we get busy, stressed, or anxious to let ourselves process what is around us. But let’s make it a point to stop and pause this month. 

I had never really considered how much of a blessing it is that I’ve been taught to appreciate something as small as a nostalgic smell. But it is a blessing, and one I don’t want to miss just because I’m overwhelmed by everything I’m trying to carry in life. 

I have a life coach who likes to do an activity with me where she asks us to fill in the blank… I’ll be happy when______. And truly, it’s a bit of a trick because the whole point she is trying to make is, it doesn’t matter what you fill in the blank, you will still have hardships when you get there too. And if you don’t let yourself enjoy where your feet are planted, you will never enjoy your life. 

So this fall, I have two suggestions for you (& me) to pause and enjoy life: 

1. Practice gratitude. 

It is singlehandedly the best way I have learned to pause and reflect on my life. I like to tell people, once I learned to practice gratitude daily and with intention, I began to hear the birds chirp more clearly. That sounds totally cliche but it’s true. 

2. Create a list of the nostalgic reminders of fall and seek them out. Personally, I try to do this every season, yet in the busy seasons I tend to let this go on the back burner. But this fall, I’m not letting myself rush through life and not appreciate it. So I’ve begun creating a list of reasons I cherish fall and ways I want to experience that fullness of the season. Really embracing the moments as they come. 

My point is… don’t overlook something you’ve always taken for granted. Don’t just walk past life because you are stressed about school or worried about work or just feel overwhelmed by life. Smell the fall candle, make yourself a pumpkin flavored treat, eat the first squash of the season for dinner and talk about how amazing it is. Whatever it is that lets you connect with the moments around you, do it. 

That’s all for today. I hope you have a lovely day and lovely month. 

All my love, B.