Lately, I’ve found myself writing a lot about change — the shifting seasons, the transitions we move through in life, and how we find balance in between. It feels natural at this time of year, when autumn surrounds us with reminders of movement and letting go.
This morning, as I was driving, I noticed how the trees seemed to each be doing their own thing. Some were already bare, their branches thin and open to the sky. Others were glowing in full colour, rich with orange, red, and yellow, like they’d been painted overnight. A few still clung to their green, almost as if they weren’t quite ready to let go of summer.
I smiled to myself because I love this time of year. The crisp air, the low bright sunshine, the way you can sit outside and feel the warmth on your face but still need to wrap up in a coat or a blanket. But it also got me thinking about change, and how differently we all move through it.
Nature’s Way of Showing Us Ourselves
The trees don’t all turn at the same time. They don’t rush each other or look around wondering if they’re falling behind. Each one responds to its own rhythm, to what it needs, to where it’s planted, and to what’s happening around it.
And maybe there’s something in that for us too.
Some of us are in seasons of letting go, shedding old habits, relationships, or ways of thinking. Others are in the middle of transformation, right in the thick of change, glowing with new colour but still uncertain where it’s taking us. And some of us are holding on, staying green a little longer, not quite ready to step into something new.
All of it is okay. All of it is human.
But like the trees, when we’re each experiencing our own version of change, even when it’s the same kind of change, it can sometimes create a sense of disconnect. We move, accept, and learn at different paces, and that can be difficult when those around us are changing in their own way.
Just as the trees share the same soil and weather yet still turn in their own time, we too can be part of the same landscape while moving at different speeds. When this happens, communication becomes so important if we’re able to do so. Reaching out and talking with those who are also experiencing a shift can help us stay connected, even if our colours are changing at different times.
And if those conversations feel too difficult, or if you’re unsure where to begin, speaking with a counsellor can offer a space to gently explore what this season of change means for you — safely, without judgement, and at your own pace.
A Person-Centred Perspective
In my work as a person-centred counsellor, I often see how hard it can be to accept where we are. There’s so much pressure to move on, to get over things, or to embrace change. But those phrases can sound hollow when we’re not ready, or when we’re still figuring things out.
The person-centred approach is all about trusting your own process, much like the natural rhythm of the seasons. Just as the trees know when to hold their leaves and when to let them fall, each of us has an inner wisdom that guides our growth. Some seasons bring colour and transformation, while others ask for rest, reflection, or simply holding on a little longer.
My role as a counsellor isn’t to push or pull that process along, but to offer empathy, acceptance, and genuine presence — a space where you can simply be as you are, without judgement. Like the trees in autumn, when we allow ourselves to be seen and accepted in whatever stage we’re in, change tends to happen naturally. Not because someone told us to, but because we finally feel safe enough to listen to ourselves and grow in our own time.
Sitting with Change
As the seasons shift, you might notice your own inner changes too — subtle ones, perhaps, or big ones that feel unsettling. Maybe you’re letting go of something, maybe you’re standing firm. Either way, it’s worth taking a moment to notice.
What’s falling away for you right now?
What are you holding onto, and why might that still feel important?
And can you allow yourself the same patience and kindness you’d offer a friend — or a tree finding its way through autumn?
Sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do is to pause and pay attention.
A Gentle Ending
Change can be messy. It can be beautiful. It can be slow, quiet, and deeply personal.
The trees remind me that we don’t have to be in the same place as anyone else. We just have to be honest about where we are and trust that, in time, things will shift in their own way.
So as you walk through these autumn days, maybe take a moment to notice what nature is teaching us: that letting go can be graceful, holding on can be necessary, and every stage has its own kind of beauty.
If you feel that talking through what’s going on for you could help, I offer a safe, non-judgemental space as a person-centred counsellor to explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. You’re welcome to reach out whenever you feel ready.
Take Care, Nicole