September in Between
If you are anything like me, September has a peculiar feel. It is not quite summer, yet not fully autumn. The sun still pops out at odd intervals, tempting you with leftover warmth, while the first hint of a chill whispers through your morning coffee ritual. There is a curious mix of nostalgia and anticipation, a soft sigh of “we’ll get back to work soon,” paired with a yearning for slower mornings and quieter evenings.
This is what I like to call the autumn reset, a gentle, pressure-free pivot from the reckless abandon of summer into the quieter rhythm of autumn life. It is not about doubling down on productivity or obsessively reorganising your life. It is about aligning your mindset, routines, and habits with the subtle cues of the season. Think less hustle, more savouring the pumpkin spice without guilt.
Why Autumn Feels Like a Fresh Start
There is both a biological and cultural reason we notice autumn as a time of change. Our circadian rhythms subtly adjust to the shortening days. Culturally, we are conditioned to see autumn as a fresh start: the school year begins, new projects emerge at work, and we feel a natural nudge to tidy up after the summer chaos. Unlike January, which can feel like a full stop, September is more like a gentle nudge, a quiet invitation to reflect and reset.
Personally, I have always felt September is underrated. While everyone celebrates New Year’s resolutions with dramatic lists and lofty ambitions, my most sustainable shifts happen now. Last year, I returned from a week in the Canaries with a head full of ambitious ideas. I wanted to reorganise my wardrobe, start morning meditation, plan a new blog series, and learn to make sourdough bread that did not resemble a brick. By day three, I was exhausted and wondering why I thought I could do all of this at once. It took me a while to accept that autumn does not need to arrive with high-octane energy. Sometimes, it whispers, and that is enough.
Permission to Slow Down
The first thing I do when embracing the autumn reset is give myself permission to slow down, even if I could dive straight back into emails, meetings, and social obligations. Summer encourages overcommitment, the kind that feels great at the time but leaves you depleted come September. I realised that gentle approaches are far more effective than forcing myself to sprint.
Leaves and Latte Moments
Autumn is visually dramatic if you pay attention. There is the quiet beauty of leaves turning amber, the crisp smell of earth after rain, and mornings where your breath fogs up like you have walked into a latte. I try to take five minutes each day to notice these small changes. Sometimes I walk without headphones, sip my tea by a window, or simply notice how the light is shifting earlier in the evening. One September morning, I left my phone at home during a short walk. I watched a single maple leaf float down as if on a mission, and ten minutes later, I felt more grounded than I had all week. I even smiled at a stranger, which is quite like me – friendly, if a little self-conscious.
Garden Fiasco with Cats
Decluttering is another way to reset, but it does not need to be overwhelming. Start small, maybe with a corner of your home or your inbox. Last autumn, I tackled my bedside table. Just clearing that simple surface had a surprisingly big effect on how I felt at night. Around the same time, I turned my garden into a small autumn project, planting hardy flowers and tidying up flowerbeds. Spoiler alert: it did not go entirely to plan. Soil everywhere, a few half-dead plants, and my cats insisted on inspecting every pot like little supervisors. They were very unimpressed. It reminded me that gentle approaches last longer than frantic bursts of ambition. Now I stick to a few sturdy plants, enjoy the occasional burst of colour, and let the cats roam freely (they are indoor/outdoor cats btw). Peaceful, manageable, and low-stress.
Adjusting Routines Naturally
Shorter days and cooler mornings naturally nudge us to adjust routines. One early September morning, I got up to put the bins out. The front garden is more open than the back, so there was a clear view of the neighbour’s dog wandering past. My cats, safely watching from the window, let out a chorus of hisses at the intruder. I couldn’t help laughing at their feisty defence while I went about my mundane task. Lesson learned: even small, ordinary routines can become little autumn rituals if you pause to notice the seasonal shift around you.
Carrying Forward Wins
Instead of starting with what I want to achieve this autumn, I’m focusing on what I want to carry forward. Reviewing the past season does not need to be elaborate; jotting down a few wins and a few things to approach differently is enough. Last year, I noted that I had managed to finish a novel despite a busy schedule, learned a few new recipes, and decided to stop cramming all hobbies into weekends. This kind of reflection sparks clarity rather than stress. I also realised I really do not need to attempt Pinterest-level baking every weekend.
Little Autumn Indulgences
Autumn also invites small indulgences that signal rest without guilt. Early evening walks, scented candles, mugs of warm drinks, or cosy socks act as cues to slow down. I have a ritual of making an autumn playlist, playing one song while getting ready each morning. It signals to my brain that it is time to transition from work-mode to autumn-mode. Ridiculous, maybe, but it works, and it makes me feel like the star of my own low-budget autumn film.
Mindset Over Motivation
Motivation fluctuates and is unreliable. The autumn reset leans on mindset instead. Working with the natural rhythms of your environment is far more sustainable than pushing against them. I had a busy week, but instead of pushing myself to tick off tasks like a spreadsheet robot, I focused on how I was showing up. I asked myself if I was moving in a way that was sustainable, noticing the small joys, and pacing myself. The results were tasks getting done without stress, and I genuinely enjoyed my walks instead of viewing them as interruptions.
Embrace the Quiet Turn
This year, I invite you to embrace an autumn reset. Step back, breathe, and notice the small shifts around you. You do not need to overhaul your life or sprint through September pretending it is January 1st again. Leaves are turning, light is shifting, and mornings smell a little cooler. Align your mindset, routines, and habits with that rhythm. Give yourself permission to ease into autumn gently without guilt or pressure. You may find that the quiet turn of the season leaves space for something unexpectedly nourishing.
Pour your tea, watch the leaf fall outside your window, and let yourself start this gentle autumn reset. Trust me, it is the only way to arrive at autumn fully alive, without bruises from summer chaos.
Take care, stay safe.
Becks Xo
My life and style over 40 