As the summer of my youth faded I wasn't prepared for the cooler temperatures of fall.

At least initially I wasn't.

Light winds began to chill my bones and heart. Introducing discomfort I never knew when I had been surrounded by friends.

Here's one way I've more ok with myself in the changing seasons.

Split yourself

As an extrovert I gain energy from being around other people. Thinking about it now, I don't think it's just the presence of others that fires me up.

It's that through interacting with them in conversation or a shared activity or respective waves can combine to create something completely new. The possibilities feel infinite in those moments.

You know the feeling.

When a few sincere questions or well timed observations turn into a conversation that lasts until some unknown late hour. Or when an off comment leads to a breakthrough. I live for those moments.

How can I compensate for the absence of them?

There's no easy answer.

But what's worked for me so far has been, leaning into my creativity.

I've found that through various creative pursuits I'm able to tap into different parts of myself. Each of the 'others' have wisdom that function as distinct entities separate from my usual day-to-day self.

Writing Keith has a different vibe than music Keith. Art Keith can be off the charts with boldness and innovation, yet struggles with consistency.

I know this might seem weird (or even insane!) to some of you, but it has helped me a lot over the past few years as I've shrank my inner social circle down (intentionally and unintentionally).

While it doesn't fully replace the presence of other likeminded people, doing this can have a similar effect on your heart and mind. The possibilities are endless when you begin to listen to different sides of yourself.

And you never have to worry about being ghosted!

What sides of yourself do you want to get to know better?