The air turns crisp. Leaves change their colors to beautiful yellow, orange, brown, and red, and they dance their final dance before drifting gently to the ground. As the days get shorter, it’s time to light a candle in the evening, and there’s a quiet invitation in the air to slow down, soften, and let go.

Fall is nature’s reminder to slow down. Yet for many of us, especially those with perfectionist tendencies, this season of slowing down can feel stressful. The end of the year is approaching, goals feel unaccomplished, and your inner critic may be whispering: You should be doing more.

But what if, this fall, you gave yourself permission to release the “shoulds”? To let the leaves fall, and trust that you, too, are allowed to change?

This month, give yourself permission to release the pressure of always “doing”. Your worth isn’t measured by your productivity, but by your presence. When you align with the rhythm of fall, you create space for something deeper: peace, groundedness, and self-compassion.

When slowing down feels wrong

Day by day, there are less days left in this year, and you may feel the pressure to “make the most” of what’s left of 2025, check off all the goals you had set in January, or prove (to whom…?) that you’re still being productive. Yet nature is doing the exact opposite. It’s shedding, releasing, resting, and preparing for renewal.

“And since we, too, are nature, it’s sometimes helpful to turn to nature for advice.”

— Martina Fink

So if you’ve been feeling resistance to slowing down, this is your reminder: it is safe for you to do less, let go, and rest.

Why perfectionists struggle to let go

Perfectionism often disguises itself as motivation, but if we’re really honest with ourselves, it’s generally driven by fear. Fear of not being good enough. Fear of not receiving the validation we so crave. Fear of failing. Therefore, you keep going, (over)delivering, showing up and go far beyond the extra mile.

And here’s why fall can feel triggering for high achievers: it mirrors the natural pause your nervous system craves, while your inner voice tells you to keep pushing, because “You can rest later, after you’ve finished it all.”

I can relate, because I’ve been there, too. And I’ve learned to live more in tune with nature, and allow myself to rest, which is a fundamental piece of a healthy, radiant, glowing life.

As you may have already experienced several times, constantly pushing against your own limits and your body’s natural rhythm can leave you feeling exhausted, resentful, and disconnected from yourself.

What if this year was different for you? I believe it is possible. If you intuitively feel that you crave space, peace, and grounding, listen to that and follow your inner guidance. In that process, be curious, and don’t judge yourself.

The beauty of letting things fall away

Just like trees let go of their leaves in the fall, we, too, can release what’s no longer nourishing for us. This might mean:

Cancelling plans or projects that don’t feel exciting or nourishing for you.
Decluttering your wardrobe and making physical space in your home.
Writing down all the things that feel heavy on you, so you can release it from your energetic body.

These are just a few examples. Letting go doesn’t mean you’ve failed or you’re not strong enough. It means that you trust the cycles of life, that rest and reflection are just as valuable as action. It means that you are brave enough to live a beautiful life that is based on your personal values and deepest desires.

A simple weekend ritual to release the “shoulds”

Set aside 10 minutes this week for a gentle and grounding release ritual:

Light a candle. Let it remind you that you can always rekindle your glow.
Write down 3–5 things you’re ready to release. Maybe it’s a commitment, a situation, or a self-judgment.
Read each one out loud and say: “I release this with love.”
Close your eyes and breathe. Feel the lightness and the space that you’ve created.
Bonus: Burn it safely (outdoor in a fire place), imagining the energy leaving your body.

This simple act signals to your subconscious mind that it’s safe to let things go, that letting go is not giving up, but coming home to yourself.

Journal prompts for your fall reflection

If you would like to go a little deeper and create a longer cozy ritual, make yourself a cup of tea and reflect or journal on these questions:

What expectations do I have of myself that feel heavy right now?
Why am I not allowing myself to rest?
If I allowed myself to do less, what might open up for me?
How can I be just a little kinder to myself in this season?

Before I let you go, here’s a gentle reminder for you: You don’t need to earn your rest. Rest is a necessity.

If you’d like to dive a little deeper on releasing perfectionism, and adding rest into your life, there are a variety of ways to work with me. Click below to learn more:

work with me