September Reset: Your Guide to a More Intentional Fall
September 1 is the new January 1
Every time September rolls around, it feels like a mini new year. While the transition from summer vacation plans shifts to back to school and sweater weather, this time of year gives an excellent opportunity to reflect on what’s important and create a routine that helps us create solid habits.
I love a good chance to reflect and pivot! I've yet to meet an adult who feels like they're consistently killing it, including me. Aren't we all on a self-development journey? There's always room to improve.
A favorite motto of mine is “progress over perfection.”
September is a great time to audit our routines, now that the kids are heading back to school, moving away, and the season is changing.
Here are four strategies to help you create intentional changes this fall:
What do you want this season to feel like?
If you feel overwhelmed, you may want to feel calmer. If you feel overworked, you may want to feel more freedom and fun. Doing this exploration will help you set the tone and make choices for your schedule that align with your priorities. As you think about what kind of experience you want to have this next season, you can run decisions through this feeling litmus test:
Does this help me feel calmer?
Does this help me have more fun? If yes, keep it! If no, you may want to let it go.
2. Consider the “shoulds” you may unknowingly be agreeing to.
These are things we think we need to do, but don’t really align with what we actually enjoy or even want. We may think that others want us to do these things, or that “good moms,” “good wives,” or “good people” do these things.
Check on your beliefs by asking yourself if anyone would even notice or care if you were doing all of it.
3. Audit the last few years.
What didn’t work? What worked well? Is getting meals on the table a struggle? Would you like more energy? Could your relationship with your spouse, partner, or family improve? Are you getting outside for walks every day? Are you ending your workday after dinner? Do you scroll through social media more than you'd like? By taking an honest inventory of your activities over the past few years, you're getting a clearer picture of where you can make some changes.
4. Think of one new habit (okay, maybe two) that you’d like to implement.
Creating new habits is a process, so go slow. Just remember, you can add a new habit next month or in the new year! Here are some simple and practical habits to explore:
Moving your body for 20 minutes a day
Chatting with your partner for 15 minutes a day over coffee
Reading a few pages of a book after lunch or before bed
Listening to a new podcast
Adding some new supplements to your morning
Drinking more water
Making plans with friends at least once a week
Writing down intentions for the day each morning
Each night, list the things you're grateful for
Listening to fun music while getting dressed for the day
Getting to bed on time
Walking in the trees with your dog
Pick just one or two new habits and commit to doing them each day. If you miss a day or two, no problem — start again! Just keep going!
The advantage of evaluating your routine each season is that things are always changing, and we're always learning. When we keep the same routine, we may not be making the most of our time or energy.
We may keep doing things that don’t serve us simply because we’ve always done them. To me, that’s not a great reason to keep doing something. Making intentional choices really helps us to have more fun and let go of what’s holding us back!
