Embracing Change: Finding Clarity

Autumn is here. The evenings are cooler, and our inboxes are fuller. For many, the calm that summer briefly brought is fading into the background. We’re back in the rhythm of deadlines, meetings, and “must-dos” that stretch from now until Christmas.

But here’s the question: what happens to those thoughts you had over the summer?

Maybe you promised yourself you’d make a change. Perhaps you saw more clearly what matters to you outside of work. Or maybe, in a quiet moment, you admitted you weren’t as fulfilled in your career as you wanted to be.

And now, just a few weeks into autumn, those insights are already slipping away.

Why We Lose Clarity When We Return to Routine

Psychologists call this the “incubation effect.” Research shows that when we step away from a problem or challenge, our brains don’t switch off; they process in the background. Analysis in Psychonomic Bulletin & Review found that breaks can significantly improve problem-solving and creativity. This is especially true when we’re given time away before returning to the task.

Even more, studies on mind-wandering show that when our attention drifts during downtime, we often generate new connections and insights. In other words, your best thinking doesn’t always happen at your desk. It happens when you’re walking on a beach, reading in the garden, or watching your kids build sandcastles. That’s why summer holidays feel like catalysts. They’re not just rest; they’re fertile ground for reflection.

The Problem with Early Autumn

But here’s the trap. Once you’re back at full throttle, those moments of clarity vanish. The commute, the meetings, the projects: they squeeze out the space where insight can surface. You know something needs to shift, but you don’t have the pause to unpack what, why, or how.

This is where coaching comes in.

In coaching, we create that deliberate pause. Instead of waiting for the next holiday to surface a fleeting thought, we hold space for it now. We test the stories that may have held you back for years, like “I’m not ready” or “That role isn’t for someone like me.” We explore whether those fears are rational or simply echoes of a comment or experience you never questioned. And we map a pathway from that summer clarity to concrete action.

What Happens When You Make Space

One client recently realised that a throwaway remark from an old boss had shaped years of self-doubt. It took a coaching conversation—a space away from the noise—to see that the comment was both untrue and irrelevant. The moment she challenged it, everything changed. She applied for a role she’d been avoiding, with a new sense of conviction in her skills.

That kind of shift doesn’t need a holiday. It needs attention, curiosity, and guidance.

Don’t Wait Until Christmas

If you felt a spark of reflection this summer, don’t let it fade as the calendar fills. The truth is, you don’t need to wait until Christmas to reset. You can start now, before old patterns cement themselves again.

At YouAndMeCoach.com, I work with professionals and leaders to capture those moments of clarity, challenge the fears that cloud them, and turn them into a plan you can act on.

So here’s the invitation: take one deliberate pause. Book a first 30 minute session for FREE.

Let’s explore what surfaced for you this summer and make sure it doesn’t disappear into the autumn rush. Because transformation doesn’t happen on holiday. It happens when you decide to carry that insight into real life.

The Journey Ahead

As we navigate through autumn, remember that this season is not just about change in nature. It’s about embracing the changes within ourselves. Each leaf that falls reminds us of the beauty in letting go.

What do you need to release this autumn? What old habits or limiting beliefs can you shed? The journey ahead is filled with potential.

Let’s take this journey together. With courage and kindness, we can face the challenges that lie ahead.

Transform. Thrive. Together.

James

YouAndMeCoach.com