in front of it
Is it just me, or does September feel like one of the craziest months of the year? And it’s not just the “back to school” madness, or desperately soaking up the last of the summer sun…
It’s being confronted with the fact that there are only FOUR months left of the year (and we all know how those fly). What do I have to show for it? Have I met the mark on the accomplishments I outlined for myself nine months ago?
Especially for women, the last few months of the year typically mean a backslide in our self care routines.
Whether you’re a Mom, or you aren’t. Whether you have a demanding job, or you don’t.
We are all overcommitted - whether it be with hosting obligations, end of year deadlines, finagling Halloween costumes, holiday shopping, traveling to see family, decorating our homes, juggling 957 party invitations, cooking for a group of 20… the list is never ending. I’m exhausted just thinking about it.
And as for that list, where do YOUR needs wind up falling? We don’t even need to get into it, because the answer is the same for all of us: dead last.
Maybe it sounds cliche, but I propose turning a corner.
We habitually fall into the same patterns every year. But what if this year, we got in front of those patterns… what if this year, we make it a point to pick up some positive momentum BEFORE the mayhem takes over?
That just might be the trick to avoiding the end of year spiral that typically unfolds… and the very ugly reality check that hits us come January.
So when your brain is melting over the game of chess that has become your calendar, ask yourself: when it comes to “the most wonderful time of the year,” what are you reaching for in stressful moments?
Unless you already have it in the pipeline as a habit, it’s most likely not your sneakers to escape for a 10 minute walk… or your ear buds to play your ‘pick me up’ playlist to drown out the noise of complaining children.
The truth is that YOU have the power to define for yourself what the shift into Fall means for you.
What trajectory do you want to be on as we enter what’s typically a very overwhelming time of year?
What kind of woman do you want to see looking back at you in the mirror 6 months from now, when Spring is right around the corner?
Time flies, my beautiful friend… you can let the “same old, same old” run you around in the usual circles, or you can decide for yourself that you want something different.
Change doesn’t have to involve a massive time commitment. And it doesn’t need to be perfect either. There is a Better Way, if you want one.
Take ownership of the decisions you make and the path that you choose. Because like it or not, no one else can do it for you.