Finally!! My favorite season is here. Autumn is in the air! Can you feel it in your neck of the woods yet? It’s just beginning to feel like autumn here in the south, where I live.

I just love this time of year – it’s full of change. Life changes from the lazy days of summer to the hustle and bustle of back to school. The air changes and has a crispness and cleanliness that it didn’t have before. The days and time change from daylight savings time to standard time and the days seem shorter. We change wardrobes from t-shirts, capris, and flip flops to sweaters, jeans, and boots. And of course, the leaves – we can’t forget about the changing of the leaves, which has now become one of my favorite parts of autumn and one of the most noticeable and colorful changes. The leaves turn from their summer colors of kelly green to vibrant, rich colors; warm tones of burgundy, gold, and orange.

Not only are there changes going on around you right now with the seasonal changes, but there are changes going on inside of you and in your life. Experiencing an unplanned pregnancy brings about many changes; some physical and some emotional. Obviously, you’re body is changing physically as it is growing another life.

The toughest part of all the changes that result in an unplanned pregnancy may be the social changes in your life. The changes in relationships that may take place – whether the changes be negative or positive. You may also be making changes in your lifestyle to prepare to parent. Or you may be dealing with changes as you begin to do the un-natural and make an adoption plan. Whatever it is, it’s different, and it’s changing!

Change can be scary sometimes, especially for control freaks like me! Here’s a few tips to remember when dealing with change:

• Keep consistency in the other areas of your life.



• Acknowledge and accept the changes as best you can.



• Face change head on - know that it is coming and be prepared to deal with it.



• Try to stay in a routine in the other areas of your life.



• Stay focused on yourself as a person and not on all the changes.

As you slowly deal with the changes in your life, go outdoors and embrace the changes of autumn – enjoy the beautiful, colorful leaves and inhale the crisp clean air!