How to Root into a Fresh Start

Last week a client shared that September (not January) is when she feels the hopeful energy of a “new year.”🍁

Her inner knowing stems from the “new school supply” effect, when new pens and crisp notebooks represented the start of a new grade in school. Something energized with possibility.

She calls September her fresh start. She is onto something here, and I know it will uplift you.

When Life Becomes Frantic

September can easily be a whirlwind of over-reaching and over-doing that then turns into an even crazier holiday season.

This depletes your energy, causing overwhelm, stress, frustration and whatever unhelpful habits come with these negative emotions mine look like impulse ice cream eating, rushing, losing my sense of humor and scrolling, among others). A friend recently described her episode of “rage dishwasher loading” and that sums up this vibe perfectly. 😆

Take a second to be curious: “What are my cues that I’ve drifted out of emotional wellbeing into an emotional undoing?”

Luckily, coaching is about generating positive emotions and the upward spiral. So here’s some good news and a tip to self-coach your way to a fresh start.

Self-Compassion, Your Key to a Fresh Start

When you notice yourself in a frenzy, claiming fresh start energy is pretty easy. It begins, as most shifts do, with self-awareness.

The key, though, is self-compassion.

Self-compassion is treating yourself with the kindness and encouragement you’d show a friend. It’s also a powerful tool you can use to increase your emotional well-being and resilience and shift to a more supportive mindset.

With this in mind, next time you feel breathless from rushing or notice a clenched jaw because you forgot school picture day, check in with yourself. Ask, “How can I gently, joyfully support myself today and in the days ahead?”

To deepen your understanding, Dr. Kristen Neff’s website is a self-compassion care package for the soul, including a quiz, online course,Ted Talk and more. Dr. Neff is an associate professor at University of Texas at Austin, and is a trailblazer in self-compassion study and research. Her work is fascinating and transformative.

Careful: it’s tempting to use self-awareness to dial up your inner critic. But we know that that kindness will take you farther than criticism, so give yourself a hug and join me in rooting into this “new year.”

When you’re anchored by self-compassion, there are infinite ways to gently and joyfully support yourself this season. What has worked well for you in the past?

Here are a few ways I personally root into fall’s fresh start yumminess.

Gentle, Joyful Tips to Root into A Fresh Start🍂🍁

🍂 Ground. Especially if you are neurospicy like me, ground in small ways throughout the day to keep from spinning. Nature walks with my dog Rosie are my favorite way. But I also love to light a candle, put the kettle on and blueprint my days in soft warm colors.

🍂 Feel Grateful. I got a Day + Night Gratitude Journal at my favorite shop in Wisconsin, Sister Golden, but you can get it here.

🍂Declutter. My 7 year-old recently found a really long snakeskin in one of our window boxes.😯The message, according to friends who know this kind of stuff, is that to transform, we need to shed our skin. So…out with the old, declutter, streamline and simplify.

🍂 Read and rest. Cozy up with a book that feels just right. I’m wrapping the genius A Ladies Guide to Scandal by Sophie Irwin. And anything by Sarah Addison Allen is especially wonderful as the days become shorter.

🍂 Do a Mini Reset. If you’re feeling inspired to turn your fresh start into a deeper reset, check out my free wellbeing mini-reset.

We also can’t neglect our physical body and expect to feel well. Be sure to make time for the practices and choices that align you with your best life physically as well. But one of my biggest a-has when it comes to women and well-being came from my personal journey through recurrent miscarriage, anxiety, ADHD and now perimenopause.

True wellbeing starts in the heart and spirit. With simple joys and tiny self-loving practices. If you feel constantly stressed by a diet or a 10-step “wellness routine,” well-being may elude you.

If we approach each meal or workout from a place of dread or fear, how much good can we really do?

If you are finding contentment, joy and meaning in your life through gentle practices and tiny joys, you are more likely to create that upward spiral where nourishment, movement, and other “wellness activities” become fulfilling.

So join me in rooting into a fresh start this fall. Which tip will you try first? Or perhaps you have practices of your own? Hop on my insta and share!

Self-Reflection:

How can I gently, joyfully support myself today and in the days ahead?

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Is September the New January?