Just when I thought the season was beginning to change here in Northern Illinois? *record scratch* Nope. Downright tropical and oppressive heat descended on the prairie, and it was a sea of tubetops not flannels at the ol’ orchard where we sampled delicious Liberty apples. The time seems right for housework, organization, and home improvement and the season is always ripe for soul-keeping.
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Housework & Soul-keeping in Autumn
All of the beds and plants outside need love, and maybe I’ll get in the dirt today. There is such a strong pull to just BE and receive the beauty of it all right now.
Soul-keeping & Divine Mysteries
As someone ever scribbling on little napkins or post-its or junk mail about the spiritual journey and abstract ideas, I try to discern how, when or even whether to share. Creative constipation is real. I have all these secret folders which could become material for a book. But is it the right time? Should I create a new blog with only commentary? Would paintings serve the realm better than poetry and lyrical essays? I shared a glimpse of my interior quietude on my personal FB the other day following an emotionally draining night:
It has been a morning fragranced with the wonder and sweetness of the supernatural after a frightful evening of its shadow. Nothing in my circumstances changed overnight. But a space within me has moved. This space knows truth. That all will be well and all will be well and all manner of things shall be well. If your soul is troubled by news of the terror of the day or cares close to home, if all hope has left the building and the light is dimming, hold on. If feelings of inadequacy for your present predicament are increasing, the blessing is near. Invisible energies hidden in realms beyond realms are engaged. I have no easy answers or quippy faith shortcuts to share from a repertoire. In fact, I am more acquainted with uncertainty, heartache, and my not-nearly-enough-ness than ever. It’s that very hopeless descent and point of desperate insufficiency I reach when the most profound healing begins in humility. At last I am pressed so close to the earth I can reach beyond myself for the divine radiance and expansion.
I Don’t Know Much at All
I didn’t anticipate conflict in the comment section. Even with pure intentions and truthtelling in my creative expression, a reader filters and perceives as they are. I re-examined my intent and responsibility. What did I hope to release, invite or metabolize in the telling? I was expressing a wellness of soul in spite of unsavory days of heartache. There’s joy in confessing we all fight invisible battles. As holy language arises in my spirit, perhaps it longs to touch the pain of others.
My soul may be in the right place when I share a spontaneous prayer or a bit of encouragement, but there are strategic for-profit apps, algorithms, and internet architecture hard at work. Invisible filters shape how the message will be transmitted and to whom. My post may pop up within a sea of politically-charged rhetoric. It could be wedged between child hunger themed ads, lethal rollercoaster stories, and recipes for pumpkin cheesecake.
Will a divine spark travel through an imperfect me and a storm of internet weather to land safely with warmth and softness in a heart ready to receive? I’m pondering it all in my heart.
Housekeeping
I showed you my DIY Herbarium, but I’m not sure I shared this particular example on my piano:
This is an ideal time to collect and press foliage for that art project.
What I love best about autumn’s emergence here? The light and shadows. The way the top of the maple in our front yard is set aflame, turning a little more each day.
And golden hour! My soul is never not hungry for its gifts.
Decluttering & Organization
I shared details HERE about decluttering lessons found in this book which approaches organization from a down to earth wisdom and emotional awareness.
One of the easiest places to begin to clear clutter in early autumn? Rotation of seasonal clothing and storage of warm weather outdoor items and patio furniture.
If storage is an issue, these under-bed containers are handy and keep contents dust-free.
The containers can store items beyond clothing and are especially handy if you have downsized.
Refresh That Bed Pillow
Fresh new pillows for autumn! Nothing like the fresh goodness of a luxurious pillow.
Spruce Up the Range
Housework is about as glamorous as soulkeeping so now’s the part where we mention cleaning the oven which can get crunchy.
It’s the right time for this kind of work since you can open a window. Cleaning by hand? Turn on soothing music and think about that sweet little reward you’ll enjoy once that oven sparkles.
Freshen the Frig
Since it is my least favorite thing to do, I can talk myself out of it for weeks. When finally I address the mess, I am amazed there’s still plenty of daylight left.
This makes a number of tasks easier:
Yes. There are people who aren’t me who make demos of this kind of thing.
Address Dish Towels
Fresh new towels can be one of those ‘everyday lovely’ essentials to elevate and create calm.
I have my eye on these high quality towels for our bath, and I love that you can try them out for 30 days:
If your bathrobe needs a spruce up…
A Favorite Tool for the Porch
Pick a mild and less windy day to sweep, or clear debris with my favorite tool for the porch: a ZoomBroom.
It gets used daily all summer, keeping the front porch tidy. Its light weight makes the quick chore painless with nothing to plug in! I store it in a closet near the front door.
Modern Heavy Duty Planters
We have two of these these planters from Home Depot on the front porch flanking the front door, and anything paced inside looks fabulous. They can be left out year-round, which truly helps if your storage is limited.
Shower Sprucing
A small thing, yes, but a sweet payoff. Changing out a new shower curtain liner each year only takes about 5 minutes!
I prefer the fabric liners since they can easily be tossed in the wash. However, if you prefer a traditional heavyweight liner:
Change Those Filters
Wherever you have filters, make sure they’re fresh. The furnace is an obvious place to start, but also check any ice maker, vacuum, and vent hood filters (mine grow a greasy blanket quickly!)
Painted Trim Touch Up
This is a task I tend to dread because it always feels as though it will take weeks whereas a whole lot can be done in a single day.
Here is my favorite paint brush for any number of jobs:
Garden Spruce Ups
I’m no master gardener, but I can clearly see what foliage to clear away. My issue is keeping weight on, but if yours is losing it, gardening burns something like 80,00 calories/hour. Fine. Maybe it burns less, but it is something to think about if apple pie and cider donuts are in the rotation…apple recipes HERE.
Have a list like this you tackle before Fall?
Should you be ready to embrace this cozy season, see THIS and for a head start on holiday inspo, visit this post.
Pssst. These are my favorite secret weapons for cleaning with water only and no other product or chemicals.
I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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