Is September the New January?

The holidays are over, inboxes are full, kids are back to school and – the ultimate tell-tale sign of the season changing – pumpkin spiced lattes are returning to your local coffee shop.

It’s no wonder the “September is the new January” narrative keeps getting louder every year.

That rhythm was built into us from school days, and as adults it still shows up. Your colleagues are back from their holidays, the summer indulgences are catching up with you, gyms and clubs are ramping up their marketing campaigns, and suddenly we can see the end of the year (along with the New Year’s resolutions we’ve probably forgotten about).

It’s normal if you’re now thinking:

• “Why hasn’t 2025 been the year I finally got that six-pack?”

• “I am going to sort my life out and prioritise my health.”

• “Wait…what happened to all the hopes I had back in January?”

Now, I’m not a massive fan of traditional New Year’s resolutions - most people try to change everything at once the minute the clock strikes midnight, and these rarely stick. But I do think September is the perfect time to gently regroup and start making positive changes.

The key is reflecting without judging yourself. Instead of feeling guilty about “falling off” over summer, look at what you actually enjoyed - this is gold and can help you build a version of a “healthy” you actually want to stick to.

Here are some examples to get you going:

• You loved evenings in pub gardens with friends → Maybe you need more regular connection and time outside.

• You felt calmer being away from emails on holiday → Perhaps you need firmer boundaries with work, even back home.

• You enjoyed unhurried time with family, phone-free → That might be your sign to bring in screen-free moments this autumn.

• Less commuting meant better sleep, meals or hobbies → What changes could help you protect that extra time and energy now?

The point isn’t to mourn that summer is over - it’s to bottle what worked and consciously make room for it going forward.

And yes, I know what you’re thinking… “But I don’t have time.” You do - and it doesn’t need to be a massive effort. In fact, with life returning to full speed, now is the time to proactively support your wellbeing before the overwhelm takes over.

Try this:

• Start small – Tiny changes create long lasting improvements.

• Get clear – Vague intentions don’t happen.
  Be specific.

• Make it a priority – If it’s not scheduled or cued, it probably won’t happen.

Using the examples above, here are some simple ideas you could incorporate into your life:

• Connection with friends: have a reason to regularly meet up e.g. a local pub quiz, watching sport together, joining a club, trying a new class,

• Space away from work: finish early one day a week and make it non-negotiable, go to the cinema without checking your phone, actually take a lunch break.

• Quality time with family: create phone-free zones e.g. dinner table, dog walk, board game night.

• Protect your healthy habits: batch-cook on Sundays, go to bed without your phone, walk while listening to podcasts, start work earlier to give yourself a calmer morning routine.

And if summer was chaotic for you and none of this resonates, ask yourself: What one small thing could make September feel more enjoyable?

A final tip: this doesn’t need to feel heavy. A little consistency now can snowball into big changes by December.

If you’d like support thinking this through and making it stick, coaching can be a brilliant tool to increase your chances of success. You can find more info on the Work With Me section of my website - I’d love to help you make this your (gentle) reset season.