With the weather cooperating, it is no wonder that you are still enjoying the lazy summer days. With long daylight hours and no hectic schedules it is easy to have wonderful time, but September madness is just around the corner. In about three weeks we will be putting ourselves into faster gear. Transitioning back to busy fall can be jarring, especially if you’ve had an extra relaxing summer.
Here are 8 tips to ease into the busy fall season without sacrificing your well-being:
- Reprioritize: Adjust your priorities to fit the new season and schedule, including school activities and weather changes that might affect your routine.
- Audit Your Time: Review how you spend your time to find inefficiencies and delegate tasks where possible.
- Limit Social Media: Social media can waste time and increase anxiety. Try cutting your usage by 25% and consider removing apps from your phone (and your children’s phones) or turning off notifications.
- Exercise Regularly: Exercise helps with mental health, sleep, and focus. Find a routine that suits your energy levels.
- Delegate and Outsource: Use the insights from your time audit to delegate tasks, whether personal or professional.
- Set Boundaries: Define clear work-life boundaries and stick to them to prevent work from invading your personal time.
- Manage Expectations: Communicate your boundaries to others and don’t overcommit. It’s okay to say no if it impacts your peace of mind. Don’t take on more than you can handle.
- Harness Stress: Stress is natural during transitions. Practice calming techniques to manage anticipatory anxiety and trust in your ability to adapt. Meditation, prayer and lots of sleep can help you with that.
But
my number ONE tip is to have a plan. Plan ahead and do the most arduous tasks, like back-to-school shopping, waaaay ahead.
That way you are not going to be swamped in September madness and you can enjoy yourself more during this beautiful month. After all, it is much better spent on pleasurable activities, than running around shops.
Embrace the changes and trust that you have the resources to handle the busy season ahead.
Good Luck!
