New week. New month.
Here we are . . . the first Monday (well, technically a . . . Tuesday-that-feels-like-a-Monday) in September. That means it’s time for me to . . .
Ahhh. Here we are at last. . . September! That month so many people look forward to every year . . . because FALL! (But, of course, September isn’t very fall-ish quite yet is it? I mean, as I type this post, it is 90+ degrees outside. And expected to stay that way for a few more days.) But, yeah. I get it! Because whether it feels like fall or not, it IS fall. And who isn’t ready for that? Besides . . . September has always felt like the “real” beginning of the year to me anyway, which makes this new month feel a little more . . . exciting than most. (It’s that academic calendar upbringing, I’m sure. To me, the “real year” starts in September and it runs through May, with a lovely summer interlude during June, July and August. And I doubt that feeling will ever go away.)
And it seems like this September-as-the-new-January concept is gathering some Real Steam these days. It’s got legs. Traction. It’s becoming quite A Thing, isn’t it? Over the last few days, all I’ve been hearing about is . . . “fresh starts” and “beginning again” and “starting over” and “re-setting your goals.” Because apparently that’s what we DO in September now. And you know what? It’s feeling a little . . . oppressive to me. (Having the “new year” Thing in January is already a lot. To have that kind of . . . I don’t know . . . pressure twice a year? Too much, methinks.)
Anyway. I know that, personally, I am looking forward to having a little more structure back in my daily life . . . now that it’s September. And I will definitely incorporate a few “begin agains” back into my life (hello, there menu planning! I’ve missed you. . . ) But, really, I’m not looking so much at “re-setting my goals” (because, oops! I never set any back in January . . . ). Besides, I’m still trying to wrap up my summer and “preserve” enough pleasant summer memories to get me through The Miserable Months to come.
So it occurs to me that September might be best . . . if we just let it be whatever we need it to be!
Like . . . maybe you want to consider September a “fresh start” so you can use it to motivate yourself to make a few changes. Perhaps you let some of your good habits fall by the wayside during the summer and you really NEED that “begin again” mindset to get yourself back on track. Maybe you’re embracing the magic of a fresh season, a fresh month, a fresh calendar page.
And, friends, if that is you, September . . . is here for you!
But . . . maybe you don’t really have that “new season energy” right now. Maybe you’re fine just rolling forward from summer to fall in an easy kind of way, happy to take this new month, this new season day-by-day, content with just letting things unfold before you.
Well, friends. September . . . is here for you, too!
In fact, wherever you are on that September-is-the-new-January spectrum, you’ve come to the right place!
So this month? Assess what YOU need September to be. For you. And let it be that. “Begin again.” Or . . . don’t. It’s all just fine! (And you do know . . . that you can “begin again” any time you want to, right?)
It’s September.
Let the month be whatever you need it to be!
Start Your Engines!
I am all in on the Begin again in September band wagon. And it feels so good! 4 days in the bag and I am breathing deep as I settle back with some rhythms that I let go as summer began… I missed them and welcoming them back is bringing such joy! XO
This speaks to me as a “non-planner”. Yes, some plans are necessary or dinner never gets made and you never accomplish anything. I rarely set goals in January or any other month. I don’t plan my reading beyond placing holds at the library and I don’t plan my knitting beyond the next project. I think most months (and definitely September) are best “if we just let them be whatever we need them to be”. (And I would add a caveat that sometimes we need to let things unfold even if they aren’t exactly what we need.) (Thanks for letting me ramble on this morning!)
Yay! Welcome to September….but hold the pumpkin spice stuff. đ It’s too soon for that.
YES! I love a September refresh but I do it for my birthday on the 21st. It’s perfect (for me) because it’s the usually the first day of fall and it’s the first day of my new year and it (more or less) coincides with that back-to-school feeling.
September always feels like a fresh start for me because in addition to being the start of the academic year, it is my birthday month. I see that Carole & I have birthdays just a day apart, mine is on the 20th.
Honestly, it’s nearly cold enough to turn on the heat (thunderstorms and coats this weekend), but it will warm up to a nice 80 degrees. The mountains should start showing signs of color change so it will be a (I’m predicting) a beautiful fall. Time to bring out my shawls and scarves and have the gloves and mitts ready for early morning walks. Autumn is an excellent time of year to drink in the season. (Snow! at Alta over the weekend, too!!)
September is a “begin again” sort of month for me because of… other people! When kids return to school I REALLY enjoy the perks of retirement. Moving about and visiting spots on weekdays, then avoiding the same on weekends when they’re busy with people who just have those precious two days to get so much done. Staying out of their way while they’re doing so is kind of my gift to them! (And putzing around while they’re busy elsewhere is my gift to myself.)
I’m going back to using a ‘planner’ because if I have a planner I’ll make some plans, right?
I love September! And, it’s my birthday month (10th) and Fletcher’s (24th) and some family and friends as well. I have never cared for New Year’s Day and resolutions (which I do not make), but September always has meant fresh starts with new clothes (which I won’t do…don’t need), new notebooks, new pens and pencils…kind of like a clean slate (for at least a couple of weeks). I won’t necessarily make plans or goals or anything like that, but I will certainly welcome cooler weather when it arrives (96 as I type this) and vacation!!
I love September and try to milk every summer minute out of it. (Thank-you this week!) October brings the change for me these daysâŠlimited time on the deck and warming up inside too! I like your thought process though!!
Thank you for the beautiful hydrangea shot. We enjoyed our next door neighborsâ gorgeous hydrangea bushes for more than 30 years, but then life changes and now no more hydrangeas. I miss them.
Let it BE!!! and gosh your hydrangea is SO PRETTY!!
Happily rolling forward over here, just goin’ with the flow! And it’s currently 59F!! So happy to welcome more moderate temps… starting now.
Come September, I feel a little bit of both. As a retired educator and a Mom, I always thought my kids were officially a year older when school started. I love school supplies and I love Fall. I don’t need any grand planning to enjoy these last summery, sort of autumn like days.