Lately, one thing has been weighing heavy on my mind—energy, or rather, the lack of it. I have a feeling I’m not the only one. As the seasons shift from summer into fall and then inch their way toward winter, it’s like my body hasn’t quite caught up.

Summer carries its own natural momentum—longer days, more sunshine, a little extra push to get outside and do all the things.

Is it just me, or does motivation start packing its bags the second the weather turns chilly? Don’t get me wrong—I love fall. The cozy sweaters, crisp air, changing leaves… I romanticize it every year. But lately? I’ve been feeling off. Whatever “it” is—I’m just not about it right now.

Maybe it’s the seasonal shift or the shorter days, but my get-up-and-go has seriously gotten up and gone. And I can’t help but admire (read: envy) those people who power through it all—still working out, staying on top of everything, tackling life with what seems like endless energy. I can do that for a while… and then I hit a wall. Hard.

And if that sounds familiar, know that you’re not alone. This kind of funk is so common, especially as the seasons change and life gets busier. Suddenly everything feels like too much:

° Working out? Meh.
° Going for a walk? Feels like a trek.
° Keeping up with kids, cleaning, cooking, being a great partner, AND rotating the seasonal wardrobe? A full-time job, and then some.
° Getting up for work? Herculean effort.
° Cooking dinner? Honestly, I’ve run out of ideas and patience.

The thing is, I don’t want to just throw in the towel completely. But I’m starting to believe in the power of compromise. Maybe we don’t need to do it all the time. Maybe we can ease up a little—give ourselves some breathing room.

Instead of hitting the gym, maybe just stretch or take a short walk.
Instead of scrubbing every inch of the house, vacuum the high-traffic areas and call it a day.
Instead of forcing productivity, take a nap.
It’s not about giving up. It’s about giving yourself grace.

We live in a world that’s constantly rushing—more, faster, now. And sometimes, we need to remind ourselves that slowing down is not the same as falling behind.

Honestly, I’m probably writing this more for me than for anyone else. I need the reminder that it’s okay to take it easy for a bit. To breathe. To rest. To just be. And if you needed to hear that too, then I’m glad we’re in this together.
In the meantime, here are a few of my go-to “bucket fillers”—tiny things that lift my mood without draining my energy (and don’t involve doom-scrolling to the ends of the internet, though let’s be real… some days, that happens too):

* Curling up on my favorite corner of the couch with a blanket and a kitty
* A warm cup of tea or coffee
* A good ol’ power nap
* A steamy shower (the lazy spa day)
* Reading a book, even just a few pages
* A walk outside, even if it’s short and in fuzzy socks inside my boots

They’re not big things. But they help. And sometimes, that’s all we need—a little reminder that small comforts can make a big difference. We don’t always have to push. We can pause, refill, and go gently.

So if you’re feeling the seasonal slump too, just know: you’re not broken. You’re just human. And it’s okay to slow down 💕.