Hello September
Like the fresh new page in a notebook, I am ready for you
Hello lovelies,
First off, how was YOUR summer? Whether you have children or not, there has been a sense this year that everything has slowed down a little over the last six weeks.
Invoices have taken longer to be paid (🤨), emails have come back with out of offices, meetings less frequent and previous deadlines have been met and new ones haven’t been set.
Which worked well for me to be honest, as I juggled working alongside entertaining my three children. They have had some brilliant days out with family and friends, covering the days I have been at my desk. But there has of course been a few curve balls that meant the girls had to entertain themselves and my son disappeared to the park, while I sat with the laptop open and typed furiously to get as much work into a small window as possible.
I set myself a goal over the summer holidays, to enter two writing competitions I had been stalking for the last few months. The deadline for both was the end of August and I am proud to say I entered both submissions on time. It would be amazing to have positive news from these, however I already feel I have achieved something by entering these competitions and meeting that first goal.
It can be scary sharing your work with others and rejection is something I have gotten used to over the last six years of writing. However, I needed a goal for myself in the summer to keep a little spark alive while the rest of my energy was put into the children. (And school uniform shopping!)
Fingers crossed they open doors to new opportunities.
Overall, we have had a good summer, but boy go boy I am so ready for my favourite time of year: September- December.
The fresh start.
I view September in the same way I view January. New starts. New routines. New goals (or a check in with the ones I set back at the start of the year).
As the last couple of days of summer come to a close, I feel slightly exhausted and craving routine and some self-care.
Three summers ago, I was heavily pregnant with my third. It had been an extra long summer that year thanks to lockdown and the return to school felt strange but also much needed. I dropped my two off (year 3 and preschool at the time) and gave myself one whole day of doing NOTHING. I think I watched TV, ate yummy treats and had a slow walk. It was just what I needed to re-set and and charge the batteries ahead of the busiest time of year. That one day of being completely selfish.
I don’t think I am going to have that luxury this year, so I am busy thinking about how else to make time for myself. Open to suggestions by the way!
My plan so far is to try waking at 5am again. This seems to be the only time of day where I am on my own. Aside from the odd time the toddler decides to start her day a little earlier too. I’m sure she can sense that I am up…
Waking this early is harder in the winter months, but I found a good routine last year of lighting a candle, making a mug of coffee and pouring thoughts onto a piece of paper before following a pilates programme. I really miss that so definitely would like to pick it back up.
There has also been something else bugging me, that I hope the answer will present itself soon. I feel like I don’t have as much fun anymore. This was pointed out to me by my husband. At first I was hurt, as I had had so many lovely days out with the kids and organised so much for them over the summer. But it isn’t as much fun for the parent is it? You are the one thinking about what they need, planning ahead, feeding, cleaning and tidying. It’s hard to have fun when you have three little people to put first.
But I got what he meant. I don’t laugh in a carefree way. My Instagram feed is full of messages saying “life’s too short” and to “have that adventure”. Whilst I feel we certainly HAVE had a tonne of adventures together as a family of five, I do wonder if I am having fun along the way, or just creating the fun for everyone else?
So one of my September goals is to find the fun again. Hopefully this time of year will be perfect for that as I love everything about it.
Fresh air. Blackberry picking. Apple crumble. Birthday parties. Conkers. Halloween. Bonfire night. Cold nights. Candles. Cosy. Harvest. Sparklers. Magic. Hot chocolate. Lit fires. New books. Golden colours. Low sun. Christmas. Dew drops. Frost. Days out wrapped up. Comfy clothes. Slipper socks. Hot water bottles. Bake off. Cakes. Film nights. Star gazing. Watching the moon. Decluttering. New pencils. Christmas lights. Leaf throwing. Rosy cheeks.
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Hope back to school goes well for those of you with children. And I hope you have a wonderful month as we embrace the change of season.