Autumn Planning
As autumn settles over Aotearoa, the Easter long weekend and for most of us, a grey and rainy Easter Monday gives us a perfect chance to pause and take stock. The cooling weather and falling leaves remind us it's a good time to look at both our homes and our lives with fresh eyes. What's working well? What needs attention? What should we sort out?
This season naturally encourages clearing space. Just as trees shed what they no longer need, we can do the same. Maybe tackle that cluttered garage or finally sort through that drawer of paperwork and bank statements. There's real satisfaction in organizing your physical world, especially when it serves a purpose. A practical step? Use some time today to scan important documents into Holdmine. Your birth certificates, insurance policies, and enduring power of attorney documents are better stored securely in one place where your loved ones can access them when needed, rather than gathering dust in folders.
Autumn isn't just for decluttering, though. With family often around during Easter weekend, it's an opportune moment to think ahead about health matters for yourself and your whānau.
Changes in health can happen gradually or suddenly, and having thought things through beforehand makes a difference. Consider reviewing Holdmine's guide on advance care planning. It covers important decisions like medical preferences, who can speak for you, and what support you might want. Even reading it privately can help clarify your thoughts before discussing with someone you trust.
Getting organized doesn't need to be uncomfortable. Most people who do this groundwork report feeling more at ease and better prepared. When challenges arise, you've already done the mahi (work)—saving stress later on.
As Sam Hunt wrote;
Time to be slow, time to look around
So if today offers you a bit of breathing space, take it. Use it to set a few things straight—not out of pressure, but out of care. Autumn reminds us that letting go and preparing for what’s next is part of life’s natural rhythm. A single action, like uploading a key document or having a quiet conversation about the future, can lift a surprising weight. It’s not about ticking every box—it’s about beginning. Start small, start simply. You’ll thank yourself later, and so will those who matter most.
