As the days grow shorter here in the Northern Hemisphere, and we prepare to “fall back” with the end of daylight savings, I find myself reflecting on change. The seasons remind us that nothing in life stands still. Summer’s warmth fades into autumn’s crisp air, which soon gives way to winter’s quiet stillness. Just when we grow accustomed to one rhythm, it shifts.

For many of us, these shifts—whether in time, temperature, hormones, or routine—can feel disruptive. Losing daylight in the evenings may affect our mood. Adjusting to a new schedule can make us feel off balance. Yet change, while often uncomfortable, is often what prompts us to grow.

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is this: when we shift our perspective, we can turn challenges into opportunities. Instead of seeing the early darkness as a loss, I look at it as an invitation—an opportunity to slow down, to cook and eat dinner together with Loralee, to read, to reflect, to gather with family members around the fire. Transitions, whether seasonal or personal, can become openings for something new if we choose to view them that way.

In my own life, I’ve found that resisting change only adds stress. Instead, I try to approach it with curiosity: What can I learn from this? How might this new rhythm open a door I hadn’t considered before? By framing transitions as opportunities rather than obstacles, we give ourselves the gift of resilience.

Of course, not all change is seasonal. Our bodies also go through profound transitions—adolescence, menopause, and many stages in between. These hormonal shifts can feel unsettling at times, but much like the changing seasons, they are part of the natural rhythm of life. When we care for ourselves—body, mind, and spirit—we can navigate these changes with more ease and even discover new strengths along the way.

Sometimes the best way to ease into change is with small rituals. For example, I make time each morning to pause, breathe deeply, and express gratitude—especially on darker days when the sun seems slow to rise. Those few moments of grounding help me start the day with openness instead of resistance. At 8 am my Better Every Day Insight will arrive on my phone, and I’ll be reminded once again to consider the deeper meaning of whatever my life circumstances are that day.

Here are a few other ways I’ve found helpful to navigate seasonal transitions:

• Move your body daily. Even a short walk outside can reset your mood and energy. Put on some upbeat music and rock out in the living room. And exercising with friends also connects you socially, reminding you that we don’t have to navigate change alone.
• Stay hydrated. Our bodies often crave more comfort foods in colder months, but water and moisture-rich foods remain the best way to fuel both skin and spirit. And when you’re physically healthy, it’s easier to maintain a positive attitude.
• Connect with others. Use the longer evenings as an opportunity to call a friend, share a meal, or simply sit in good company.
• Embrace a new ritual. Try journaling, reading a book before bed, or practicing a few minutes of mindful breathing as a way to honor the shift in rhythm.

So I’d like to ask you: How do you handle change? Do you embrace it, resist it, or slowly make peace with it?

This season, as the clocks turn back and nature reminds us that transition is inevitable, I encourage you to notice how you move through change—and to experiment with seeing it not as something to endure, but as an opportunity to grow.

P.S. The Insight we’re featuring this week is:

“Think of transition as an opportunity.” As we know, change is inevitable. Life’s only certainty is uncertainty! But if we can use change to make us better—the way an athlete increases her physical challenges in order to become stronger, or faster—then we transform stress into eustress. That’s #ModernWellness!