Back to School Blues
I used to dread the end of summer. As a ‘weekly boarder’, I returned to school each Sunday evening in term time, with a familiar weight landing in my belly as we arrived. As an adult, I became a school teacher, and the Sunday dread continued. After the 6 weeks of summer holiday, I would re-centre in myself, to a pace and style of life that suited me much better. But then September loomed ominously.
It still feels like a gear change, as (in the UK) we shift out of holiday mode and into term and school. New haircuts, new shoes, new (and slightly too large) blazers, new classes and routines.
I left school, university and then became a teacher, and now a parent, so this unnatural seasonality continues to frame my existence. I look now at patterns in nature for guidance when things feel rough. As the Summer turns to autumn (which seems early this year thanks to the weather!), I don’t let the dread build, but ask - What is going on here?
Historically, The summer holidays released English children in order to help with harvest. Summer is hard work for farmers, as they are collecting in grain and watching the weather carefully. Once the harvest is done, the community could relax. Nature takes a rest in September - all the fruit is ripe and bountiful, the work is done.
After the busy-ness of nature being at full heat, here in the UK we jump up into action. Just as the garden takes a glorious pause (think of those balmy ‘Indian summer’ sunny days after the kids go back), those of us in school have this big restart. ‘Don’t smile til Christmas’ is an old teacher adage - meaning that we have to be at full power, getting to know kids and adapting them to our way of being.
To me, this feels like a strain. The shift is too sudden. A zero to 60 lurch. We go from beach days to spelling tests, lazy mornings to the school run. A new class, new goals, the quest for success and pushing attainment. This is in part the blame of increasing pressure on school, but is also a mistake of success vs succession. All things do naturally evolve. Succession is the way poppies populate a ploughed field with nothing on it, and if left, this same space will naturally become a woodland - in time. We humans have created an idea of success that seems to involve non-stop strain and endeavour. Can you imagine just letting kids grow up and learn to read when they are ready?
Even if this sounds tempting, this in a real life prospect for most of us. I have, however, found that keeping some of the summer ease in my September really helps. Don’t pack away the BBQ or bucket and spade just yet. Be ready for a sunny afternoon to head to your favourite beach/park/wood to enjoy the still-quite-warm-and-late evenings.
As a meditator I have a regular twice daily opportunity to drop beneath my current experience. I can shed the agenda of the day, month, season. As my breath slows and my mind quietens, I spontaneously and naturally tune in to nature’s rhythms. I am more aware of the change of seasons, and I really savour each as it presents itself.
Also, meditation has toned down my social conditioning - and upped the volume on my intuition. Over the years I find I am more able to question what I choose to do. And if there is something I have to do, I can find creative ways to keep myself happy and adapted to it. I can’t change September being a new school term, but the dread has gone. I take time to stop and look at the changing colours, pick the blackberries, enjoy pulling on my favourite sweater again. This makes me more available to support my son with any anxiety he has with the routine change. And, I hope, gives him a model of how to live life naturally, simply and tuned into bliss.
With lock down, we were all kept in, and forced to consider: does this relationship/work/commute/place/life choice suit me and my family? There is a natural guide in all of us. Meditation, walks outside, spending time being quiet (yes, that means no phone/TV/radio/podcasts) will allow us to access a place of restful alertness where we are alive and listening to what we need to hear.
So this is an invitation, this September, to notice the rhythm of nature. Summer days began shortening as far back as June 22nd. We are already well along the shift to equinox, the day of perfect balance when day and night are equal. Enjoy the gentle, irresistible fall into the winter.
What have you put in place to enjoy the delight of this season? How can you stop and smell the roses or collect rose hips, as the season allows?
If you are looking to connect with nature, and spend time in a beautiful Kentish country garden, join me on September 12th for a Cacao and Healing Circle.
If you are already a Vedic Meditator (VM or TM), join me for an opportunity of Industrial strength stress release using a yoga asanas technique called Rounding. I will be hosting this at my home over the August Bank Holiday - come for an afternoon, a day or a whole weekend. email me to book: info@camillabaker.com
If you are not yet a meditator, I recommend finding the right teacher, the right technique, and good support. If you have a technique that seems hard, please come along to an introductory talk about an easy and effortless method. Beginners courses run once a month. see www.vedicmeditaitonbycamilla.co.uk
