The Wind-Down (and Wake-Up) Begins: October Comes To an End

Whether the world around us is waking or winding down, the end of October invites balance. It’s a reminder to breathe, reflect, and care for the mind that carries us — through every season of change."

October marks a turning point wherever you are in the world — a season of transition that speaks softly but powerfully to the cycles within us. In the Southern Hemisphere, October ushers in spring, a time of renewal, light, and gentle awakening after winter’s introspection. In the Northern Hemisphere, it’s autumn, a season of quiet slowing, reflection, and letting go. The light changes, nature resets, and our bodies, too, respond. Psychologists note that these transitional months can stir emotional shifts — subtle changes in energy, focus, and mood as daylight patterns and our internal rhythms realign.

This is also the time when many of us feel the emotional weight of the year’s wind-down. Projects must wrap up, festive seasons loom ahead, and unprocessed fatigue begins to show. Whether you’re shaking off winter or preparing for it, there’s a shared sense of recalibration — a call to pause, reflect, and re-ground before the next cycle begins.

October as Mental Health Month

This October, we've focused on Ageism Awareness and Menopause but the other focus of October internationally is also World Mental Health Month. The 2025 global theme — “Access to Services: Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies” — reminds us that mental wellness is not a privilege but a necessity. In Australia, the month invites communities to focus on connection, kindness, and self-care — an especially vital conversation for us as women over 50, as our mental and emotional needs are often overlooked.

Seasonal Shifts and Mental Health

The science is clear: changes in light, temperature, and daily rhythm have real effects on brain chemistry. Serotonin (our “feel-good” chemical) and dopamine (our motivation and pleasure messenger) rise with sunlight and tend to dip when days shorten. For women in the Northern Hemisphere, the transition into autumn can bring a natural slowing, sometimes accompanied by melancholy or fatigue. For those in the Southern Hemisphere, the rising light of spring can awaken energy — but also anxiety, as busyness intensifies with the approach of year’s end.

Regardless of hemisphere, these seasonal thresholds amplify emotional sensitivity. They invite us to listen more carefully to our bodies and our inner worlds — both asking the same question: What needs care right now?

The Overlooked Weight of the Season

For women over 50, the impact of these shifts runs deeper. Midlife brings multiple transitions — hormonal changes, altered family roles, shifting purpose — layered upon mental load and the weight of caregiving. Studies show that one in five women over 50 experiences anxiety or depression, often compounded by sleep disturbance, loneliness, and the ongoing expectation to “keep it together”.

October’s awareness campaigns remind us that self-care cannot wait for a crisis. Mental health for women in this life stage means permission to slow down, to name exhaustion without guilt, and to seek connection rather than solitude when fragility appears.

Reframing the Wind-Down and Wake-Up

For those heading into spring, October can be a time to reawaken — to move, create, and reconnect with possibility. Yet this new energy must be paced with compassion, not pressure. For those entering autumn, it’s the moment to release and simplify — to honour what has been done and create space for stillness.

In both hemispheres, October invites balance: taking stock, tending to emotional well-being, and aligning our inner rhythm with the natural world’s pace. As the world blooms or rests, so too can we — without rush, without apology.

A Shared Moment of Mindful Transition

Whether surrounded by falling leaves or budding blossoms, this month calls us toward the same truth — that good mental health begins in awareness. Awareness of our limits. Awareness of our needs. Awareness that the cycle of the year mirrors our own: moments of expansion followed by moments of retreat.

As the wind-down — or wake-up — begins, may we see October come to an end, not only as the year’s endpoint, but also as an invitation to pause, recalibrate, and begin again with care.

As the year winds down and we step into November, a gentle invitation arises: to gather, reconnect, and nurture what matters most — community and belonging. This month, our focus turns to the ties that hold us — to the power of shared stories, laughter, and support as a foundation for ageing well.

True wellbeing, especially as we age, is rooted not only in self-care but in the warmth of genuine connection. Research shows that belonging is a vital ingredient for resilience, happiness, and health throughout the lifespan. So whether you’re feeling reflective as the seasons shift or seeking fresh energy in spring, join us this November as we explore, celebrate, and strengthen the bonds that help us all thrive.

Next month, join us to continue the powerful conversation sparked at the 2025 Silver Sirens Redefining Ageing event in Coffs Harbour, where the inspiring theme of Belonging and Community took centre stage.

Building on that momentum, we are eager to further explore and celebrate the vital role of community in enhancing wellbeing, creating inclusivity, and empowering women across our entire network. Together, we will discover new ways to create meaningful bonds and strengthen our collective sense of belonging.