Finding Calm in the Autumn Rush: A Reiki Master’s Self-Care Rituals

Photo by Lorna Pauli on Pexels

The world feels hectic again.
More workload, more to-dos — fast and furious (and no, not the movie).
Meanwhile, we crave more calm, more gentleness.

Every autumn, I’m reminded how nature quietly slows down. The air cools, trees let go of what they no longer need, and animals retreat to warmer places.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, this season invites us to do the same — to mirror nature’s rhythm by releasing what’s heavy, conserving our energy, and resting a little more deeply.

As a Reiki Master, do I still feel stress or fatigue? Of course.
But unlike the me from a few years ago, I’m better equipped. I have notions of acupressure, and I am certified in Reiki, Lahochi — which came into my life before Reiki — and, more recently, in face yoga.

And before I slip back into the heaviness, the panic, or the habit of negative talk — whether toward myself or life itself — I now have those gentle moments of awareness that remind me to pause, breathe, and be compassionate.

I’m not a creature of strict rituals. I like to switch depending on my mood.
Some days, I dive into a full session using whichever modality calls to me.
Most days, I blend a little of everything — picking pieces of each technique that feel right in the moment.
Because I’m me: a plain Jane, your girl next door, who likes to “cook,” taste, and adjust as I go. Recipes are just guidelines, not rules.
And that’s how I approach both my life and my practices.

My Self-Care Rhythm

Each month, I schedule time for self-care before the frenzy hits.
Instead of saying “I don’t have time,” I now ask myself: “What do I want to devote time to?”

In November, for instance, I’ve already scheduled:

• Three Reiki events with Michelle Henry from Reiki with Ease — a community Reiki share and two themed gatherings. She also offers private sessions, and I’ve booked some in the past for my son and my cat.

• A Reiki event hosted by Michelle Henry and Nancy Welch from Balancing Connections — a gentle gathering combining a guided meditation with Reiki for both participants and their animal companions.

• A Reiki event through the Dragonfly Reiki Marketplace, as part of my membership plan. Beyond Reiki-themed gatherings, Reiki shares, and support groups, the marketplace also features practitioners who offer other modalities such as Akashic Records, tarot, and intuitive guidance. This month, I’ll be meeting with Margaret Mary Loftus for her event focused on trauma, PTSD, and CPTSD.

• A remote Reiki session with Rio, a Reiki practitioner I usually meet in person. I love how she blends Reiki with craniosacral therapy, reflexology, and other gentle techniques. One of the beautiful things about Reiki is that sessions can be received from a distance — which means I can benefit from her work from the comfort of home, wrapped in a blanket or still in my pajamas.

• A seasonal haircut with Lorenzo, my energy-healing hairdresser. I see him two or three times a year — because tending to my energy also means tending to my hair.

Outside of these scheduled offerings, there are other small ways I care for my energy throughout the year — little rituals I return to whenever I feel called.

• I give myself Reiki, sometimes a full session, sometimes just a few moments on the fly when I need grounding.

• I meditate or listen to guided meditations, especially on days when my mind feels scattered.

• I meet with an acupressure friend from my student days — sometimes simply to catch up, sometimes it naturally turns into a session, depending on where the moment leads.

• I book kinesiology sessions from time to time, usually every few months or whenever my body asks for deeper support.

• I start my mornings with a warm drink, especially now that the colder days are here. It helps me wake up gently and settle into the day. And throughout the day, I love sipping warm herbal teas — it brings back that comforting “warm blanket” feeling.

• And every (other) Sunday, I close the week with a warm bath — magnesium flakes, lavender essential oil (or whichever blend my body chooses that day), and a bit of baking soda.
  It’s my way of saying goodbye to the week and welcoming the new one with softness.

And when I need a pause between all of that, I return to my own guided resources — like my recent Reiki Energy Break on nurturing the inner hearth, available here:
Reiki Energy Break: The Inner Hearth (November 19, 2025)

In Need of Some Rest, Release, and Renewal?

Earlier this month, I guided Out of Autopilot: Reset and Rise with Reiki, a 90-minute online gathering themed around releasing what no longer serves us — the thoughts, patterns, and energies ready to be let go.

This session was designed as an invitation to come back to yourself: your breath, your body, and your heart.
It included a seasonal guided meditation, followed by a 50-minute Reiki session for deep rest and renewal.

Watch the replay here:
Out of Autopilot: Reset and Rise with Reiki (November 8, 2025)

May this experience help you feel more grounded, centered, and connected to your inner calm.
You can return to it anytime you need to pause, breathe, and realign.

Coming Home to Myself

Because one can be a healer, an energy worker, a lightworker — whatever title one chooses — and still need healing too.
Meeting and exchanging with other practitioners is part of that healing. It’s a reminder that we are part of a collective, that we are not alone, and that it’s okay to receive support without judgment.

After all, these are called complementary techniques for a reason — not only because they complement medical care, but because they complement each other.

Now, I am the priority. My schedule revolves around my well-being.
And the more I integrate these small practices, the more they spill into my daily life.
I take more breaks.
I breathe more.
I rest more.

And isn’t that exactly what this season asks of us — to slow down, to release, and to return to ourselves?

FAQ — About the Replay

Do I need to be a Reiki practitioner to follow this event?
Not at all. Anyone can benefit from Reiki by simply being open to receive — and remembering to breathe.

Do I need any prior experience?
No experience is required. Just bring your openness, your curiosity, and a quiet space where you can relax and reconnect.

How often can I watch the replay?
As often as you feel guided to. Follow your heart — there is no “too much” or “too often.” Reiki meets you exactly where you are, across time and space.

What can I expect to feel during or after the session?
Each experience is unique. You may feel warmth, tingling, calm, or even emotion surfacing — all signs of energy moving. Simply allow and trust the process.

Can I listen to it while resting or before sleep?
Absolutely. Many people enjoy the replay in the evening as a way to unwind and reset before bedtime.

Originally published on November 9, 2025, and updated on November 22 and 30, 2025.

This article was first published on my previous website.