The summer is over and it’s back to school, back to work and back to ‘real’ life. September has always felt like the ‘true’ new year to me and I actually enjoy having my structured routine back after such a long period without it. I think there’s something about this time of year that stays with us all long after our education has finished. But for me going from school to university and straight back to school as a teacher has meant September, and not January, has always symbolised the perfect time to start new challenges or set new goals.
The shops are full of their new collections and after a long hot summer in Asia, I am more than ready to transition from my summer to autumn wardrobe, albeit with a lot of overlapping items. I love that feeling of never being too hot or too cold, being able to enjoy a hot chocolate or an ice cream, still being able to wear your sunglasses but having a jumper with you just in case.
Then of course there’s the obligatory new diary and stationery to purchase which automatically makes you more compelled to get hardcore organised. Even just a few simple changes like these makes me feel super productive and innovative and gives me a burst of renewed energy and enthusiasm. As I always say ‘it’s the little things in life’ which I totally believe to be true.
All of these things may not seem related to health and wellness which is primarily what my blog is here to promote, but actually, they are. An uncluttered, productive life and a sense of purpose and drive are such important contributions to our overall mental wellbeing.
But as we know life is a balance, swings and roundabouts, ups and downs, so it’s also a return to early mornings, homework and…….the eternal dilemma of WHAT to make for packed lunch!! Ok so the homework bit doesn’t directly apply to me (thank goodness as the sports field was always way more important to me than that) and I’ve actually learnt to embrace and dare I say, enjoy getting up early, but the packed lunch thing is still there, but I’m working on it.
Keep it simple
I’m a big believer in keeping things simple and being efficient. We all have too much to do to start making things complicated.
Whatever you want to accomplish, now is the perfect time. A chance to reflect and refocus. There has actually been a study conducted on the ‘fresh start effect’ with evidence to prove it’s benefits.
September is also a great time of year to set up new routines or ‘start’ all those things you’ve always been meaning to do.
So, where to start?
Training
A fitness routine doesn’t have to be hours in the gym or a 10km run. It can be as simple as 10 minutes a day. It’s so much easier to commit to and therefore something you are more likely to stick with. This all or nothing approach has been the downfall of many a new year resolution. Remember, consistency beats short term intensity every time.
Nutrition
The world of nutrition is full of conflicting information and that makes it difficult for anyone to know what to do for the best. Time is valuable and we just want to know what’s going to work for us and what is not. For most people I have worked with, getting this right is the hardest part. I will be continuing to give practical advice backed up with experience and science and also sharing some tried and tested recipes (hopefully packed lunch ones included)
Lifestyle
Declutter. Anyone reading this that knows me will probably be smiling at this point, either that or rolling their eyes as I’ve been on a declutter mission more than a few times since discovering the book ‘the life changing magic of tidying up’. I only bought it for fun to pass the time on a flight home from England, so little did I know it would be responsible for my ruthless approach to the disposal of over sixteen bin bags of ‘stuff’. Any regrets? Well, I haven’t missed anything so obviously not! I even got rid of the book!
What are my plans for September?
First things first, I’m getting a new desk. What’s wrong with the old one? Nothing really, except it not mine and I don’t like where it is. Fussy, me? Not really, but I want my own space with my own things if I am to be more productive and organised. I just have to find somewhere to put it.
Despite the ruthless declutter earlier this year, there is still a designated space for things that don’t have a designated space of their own. It’s out of sight but the question is, do I really NEED that Women’s Fitness Magazine from 2008 or an Order of Service from a couple who have since got divorced. No, I don’t think I do!
I will also be cleaning up my digital space by deleting and de friending. I’m quite good with my emails now. I still don’t read most of them but at least they get deleted from the ever increasing size of my inbox.
I’m so far behind with my photo books that I like to keep as a memory of each year, I don’t even know where to start! We have just recently come home from a five week trip to Asia so I guess writing up my blog from that and choosing from the hundreds if not thousands of photos to put in a book would be a start.
The summer break always leads to a change in my training and nutrition routines especially when I’m away from home. There was lots of cycling, walking, cave trekking, kayaking and exploring but not so many squats and press ups. This is all well and good until the squats and press ups appear again and I’ll be spending the next few weeks easing myself in gradually to a more structured strength programme again. Of course it’s going to be a painful start, but I’m ready!
Talking of pain, I have been putting off going to the Dr for far too long now and my shoulder injury seems to be getting worse. I attribute it to not keeping it mobile enough whilst I was away over the summer but even so, I still need an MRI referral so that’s on my ASAP things to do list too.
I have lots of blog posts I started but didn’t finish, parts of my book written with research notes and photos to organise and of course my usual list of podcasts I follow, books to read and a few more biohacking experiments to have fun with so it’s certainly going to be a busy time.
Why wait for January? Do it NOW!
We are two third’s of the way through the 2017. Have you achieved what you set out to achieve at the beginning of January?
Thinking of September as a new beginning gives you a second chance and brings with it a sense of anticipation of what’s in store for the remainder of the year. Everything feels fresh and new again. A new chapter, a re boot….however you want to look at it, it’s an opportunity you don’t want to waste.
Let me know what you are looking forward to over the next few months or any plans you have.