Emotions Are the Roots of Behavior: What Fall Can Teach Us About Letting Go
As the air turns crisp and the trees begin to shed their leaves, many of us feel that familiar pull to reflect, reset, and prepare for change. Fall marks the last season of the year - a natural turning point when we start thinking about what we want to do differently, who we want to become, or what we’re finally ready to release.
But before we revisit our goals or create new ones, it’s worth pausing to consider what truly drives our behavior.
Why Emotions Matter More Than We Think
According to Dr. Travis Bradberry, co-author of “Emotional Intelligence 2.0,” we experience over 400 emotional reactions a day. Most of them happen beneath our awareness - subtle shifts in mood, tone, or energy that quietly shape how we think, respond, and make decisions.
Our emotions aren’t distractions from logic - they inform it. They tell us what matters, where our boundaries are, and what we need. When we ignore them or label them as inconvenient, we miss critical feedback about our inner world. Over time, this emotional disconnection can lead to patterns of burnout, procrastination, perfectionism, or even avoidance - especially as we move through big transitions like the end of a year.
The Season of Change: Why Fall Invites Reflection
Fall naturally mirrors the emotional process of letting go. The trees release what’s no longer needed so they can conserve energy for what’s ahead. Similarly, we can use this season to notice what emotions are asking for our attention - the griefs, anxieties, and longings we’ve tucked away while pushing through the year.
Maybe you’ve been feeling stuck in old routines, caught in self-criticism, or struggling to follow through on the changes you say you want to make. These aren’t failures of discipline - they’re indicators of something deeper needs tending to. Real behavior change happens when our emotions are aligned with our goals.
From Awareness to Action
If you’re craving change this fall - a new habit, mindset, or direction - start by tuning in instead of pushing harder.
Ask yourself:
What emotions have I been avoiding or minimizing lately?
What might they be trying to tell me?
What am I ready to release before the year ends?
When we give our emotions a seat at the table, we gain clarity about our needs and values - and that clarity leads to more sustainable action. The key isn’t to control your emotions but to understand them. That’s where real agency begins.
A Gentle Reminder
Just like the seasons, emotional cycles take time. Change doesn’t always look productive or linear - sometimes it looks like slowing down, feeling more deeply, or allowing yourself to rest before you begin again.
This fall, rather than forcing transformation, try practicing emotional curiosity. Notice how you feel, name it without judgment, and see how your body responds. It’s from that awareness that meaningful change - the kind that lasts - can grow.
