Enter Fall Knowing Your Best Friend Has Your Back...Your Breath!

Happy October everyone! Here in Vancouver, BC, the days get darker and the air a little crisper, which feels like a nice moment to pause with a hot drink and reflect on the year so far. For me, it’s been very full, with lots of fun, adventure, growth, and change. And now… hello fall! Schedules start to pick up, priorities shift, and suddenly each day can feel like a pretty tall order. It’s the season where we step onto a new staircase leading to the door of the "holidays," trying to get everything in order and completed so we can head in with a clear mind.

However, if you’re not used to stairs every day (like me), it can get tiring. We get out of breath, and it can sometimes feel overwhelming. Yikes.

I always start the season with fierce ready-to-go energy, but over time, I notice it fading. Momentum slows. Going full throttle every day isn’t sustainable and it can sometimes feel like there are not enough hours in the day to complete everything. Personally, I’ve had to recalibrate my fierce side while still keeping projects moving, showing up with energy and excitement, and saving enough juice to actually enjoy evenings with family, friends, or some much-needed me time. Finding that balance is not always easy.

So, I invite you to get curious about your BREATH (as I like to say, “my best friend”). It’s a simple, helpful, and powerful tool that can offer an impactful shift in your day. Just pausing for a short moment in those high-stakes situations to reset and refocus can make a big difference in how we show up and respond. Using our breath to pause not only helps ourselves, but also our work, teams, and clients.

Where can you take a BREATH today? Do it once, or three times, whatever feels right for you. Take a little space for yourself to catch your breath, realign, and then continue back up the stairs with a new focus. You deserve it.

—Victoria Souter, Director & Facilitator, Improv for Work & Wellness