September is my New Year: My Fall Reset

Ever since I was a kid, I have always loved September.

The back-to-school shopping. The fresh pencils. (Yes, I am a bit of a pencil nerd. Freshly sharpened pencils are kind of my thing.) Getting everything ready.

It has always felt like a new beginning. A fresh start.

I love the September air. It’s fresh and crisp. The sun is still shining and warm, but it sits a little lower in the sky and the light feels softer and more calming.

When I lived on Martha’s Vineyard, this was the time of year when the summer crowds would leave and the island would become quiet again. The pace slowed down. There was more space to reflect, to create, to just be.

And, of course, don’t get me started on sweater weather.

There are so many things I love about September.

It feels like a renewal, which is interesting because winter is just around the corner. Spring is usually the season we associate with rebirth and new beginnings, but for me, September has always held that feeling.

A time for reflection. Clarity. New routines. And moving forward with intention.

And this September is no different.

As a solopreneur and a mom, summer means having my son around a lot more. And while I love the extra time with him — the slower mornings, adventures, friends and flexibility — my routines tend to go out the window.

My work happens in pockets. My wellness routines become a little less consistent. There’s less quiet time to think, create and focus.

And that's okay. That's summer.

But by the end of August, I’m ready for routine again.

This past weekend, we started with the house.

We purged. Cleaned. Reorganized closets and rooms. Tackled the junk drawers. Got rid of things we no longer needed.

Summer had been busy, fun and a little chaotic — and honestly, my house reflected it.

I was craving more spaciousness in my mind, and for me, that often begins with my environment.

There’s something about clearing physical space that creates mental and energetic space too.

And once I had some space, I started looking at everything else.

My finances. My business. My goals. My routines. My commitments. Where my time and energy have been going.

What is working?

What isn't?

What still matters to me?

What can wait?

What do I want to say no to?

And what do I want to make space for between now and the end of the year?

So this morning, as I celebrated back-to-school with my son — a new year and a new beginning for him — I realized I’m celebrating a new beginning of my own.

I’m excited to have space to refocus on my business. To create. To get back into the wellness routines that make me feel good. And to be more intentional about where I spend my time, energy and attention.

I’ve been thinking about my September reset in three parts:

REFRESH. REALIGN. REDESIGN.

Refresh.
Clear what has accumulated. Clean and declutter your physical space, but also notice the mental and energetic clutter you've been carrying. What are you ready to let go of?

Realign.
Take stock. Look at your finances, goals, work, commitments, time and energy. What still matters? What doesn't? What is essential right now, and what can wait?

You don't have to say yes to everything.

Redesign.
Create the routines, rituals and spaces that support what matters now. Protect time for yourself, your health, the people you love, and the work that matters to you — before the busyness of the season takes hold.

Because if we don't decide where our time and energy will go, it's very easy for everything else to decide for us.

Maybe that’s why I’ve always loved September.

It reminds me that we don’t have to wait until January 1st — or even spring — to begin again.

Sometimes we just need to clear a little space, get honest about what matters now, and intentionally choose how we want to move forward.

Happy September.

Here’s to fresh pencils, sweater weather, a little more space, and new beginnings.