fall equinox/new year/new moon: ways to reflect today

Hello, Autumnal Equinox. 

Hello, New Moon. 

Hello, Jewish New Year. 

(Also, Hello National Ice Cream Cone Day)

In a time where the world is so utterly scattered, today is a time of balance. An equilibrium in the amount of daylight and night time, as we officially shift gears into a new season.

And for those, like me, who are Jewish, now is a time when the conversation is buzzing about introspection and fresh starts. 

So regardless of whether you are most excited to have an excuse to go to the ice cream shop and get a cone or dip apples into honey today, I’m sharing here some ways to invite in reflection:

1- I’m OBSESSED with 10Q. While its origin story is Jewish, it by no means is restrictive to Jews. 

Each day, from today, a 10Q question will land in your inbox along with a link. When you click on the link, you will be taken to a private and personal space where you can answer the question. Your answer will be stored. The next day, you will receive another question and a link.

The process will continue for 10 days.

At the end of those 10 days (with a little wiggle room), you will then be invited to hit the magic button and send your answers to a locked online vault. And then a year from now, in your inbox you’ll get your responses. 

The questions are the same each year and I’ve been doing 10Q for over 7 years, so I love seeing how my life has stayed the same and shifted over the years. 

Here’s one of their questions:

Describe a significant experience that has happened in the past year. How did it affect you? Are you grateful? Relieved? Resentful? Inspired?

10Q only happens once a year and starts today, so if you are best inspired to reflect with a deadline and good questions, go for it!

2- I’m also OBSESSED with writing letters to myself on the equinoxes. 

I just sit down and write some sweet nothings. Sometimes those letters are filled with aspirations for the coming season or whatever prominent feeling I’m carrying in that moment. 

And then I mail that letter to myself and remember to open it on the next equinox. 

3- Thanks to my cousin TT sending me this book- Go Buy yourself the F***ing Lillies back in the Summer of 2020, I adore getting newsletters from Tara Schuster. 

I haven’t read her most recent book, but her newsletter, website and first book are chock full of reflective questions. You can check her out here. 

For those of you embracing the Jewish New Year, shana tova. 

For those of you ready to embrace all things Pumpkin Spice, happy fall. 

For those of you who love checking out the celestial skies and are excited to take a look at the moonless night, moon ya soon! 

Wheels up, 

Ellen

PS: Thank you to the many subscribers, who are helping me to cross the finish line to raise $700 for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in honor of the 75 mile bike ride I’ll be completing in the upcoming weekend. I’m $53 away from reaching my goal. Will you cheer me on this big ride and support a great cause by making a contribution?