We’re back! (Or at least this newsletter is!)
Hope Summer treated you well. After three weeks in Portugal (I know) I have what I would describe as a ‘proper’ tan (until I stand next to an actual tanned person, then it gives more ‘off-white ghost’).
Anyway, the point is, I’m tanned(ish), rested after a full break from work and ready for the start of the new year! (And, apparently, a lot of exclamation marks.)
Because although January is technically the start of the year, we all know that September is the better contender for a calendar reset… All that “back-to-school” energy swashing around, making me feel like I’m thirteen and have a pile of workbooks that urgently need covering in sticky back plastic. (Anyone else have to do this at school? Do any schools still make kids do this? I remember it taking days!)
Yes, I’m here for September.
A timetable with the kids school activities and shit has been stuck on the fridge. I’ve tidied my office. I’ve filled out my journal (esp the habit tracker). I’m ready for it.
But honestly, for much of the summer, I wasn’t ready for anything.
I was purposefully, unready.
On holiday I ditch my normal routine. I don’t wake up early, I meditate whenever I can (sometimes with the kids crawling all over me), I consider a Coke Zero a daily essential, and I barely touch my journal.
I don’t stick to my routine, because as much as I love having one and see the benefits in real time, I know deep in my bones that true wellbeing means sometimes not doing any wellbeing-y stuff. It means taking a break, prioritising rest and friends, late nights and blurry, slow mornings.
But, the beauty of a routine is that it’s always there waiting for you, whispering (or by August 31st, shouting) in your ear.
And there’s nothing like the fresh-start, new season-ness of September to make it easy to pick a routine back up, or create a new one altogether.
The key is to not expect yourself to snap straight back into every pre-summer habit on day one. Forget about what you think you should be doing, or what everyone is doing on socials, instead just consider and choose a few habits that will make the biggest difference to you, and then ease (rather than crowbar) them into your life.
Think: supportive and useful rather than overwhelming and dread-inducing.
Also think: small, manageable, impactful.
For me, it’s setting my alarm again, but until the kids are at school and we have to rush out the house, it’s for 6.30 instead of 6. (Always feel I must caveat mentions of this with the fact that I appreciate not everyone is a morning person, I just am.) Then it’s meditating as soon as I wake up, and if there’s time some movement too.
(Speaking of movement, I’m also into the habit of doing a weird-looking 5 min body shake, arm circle thing that someone showed me years ago for lymphatic drainage, general health and (buzzword alert) longevity, which I’m loving and think some of you will too so could maybe record a video? Let me know if you’re interested?)
Oh and the other habit for me (which I did keep up on holiday and 100% helped tackle a few Negroni-inspired hangovers) is a spoonful of True Hydration from Ancient + Brave. I have mine before I meditate, in a large glass of water with a few other bits in some attempt (perhaps insane) to make a super-changed loaded water that will definitely make me live to a hundred with no joint pain ever. (Here’s a code that gives you 20% off from A+B if you wanna try TH or anything else - LILYSILVERTON *)
That’s it, my re-adopted routine. In a week or so I’ll build more structure back in. And then maybe take it out again if it’s not working or if life throws a curve ball, as it is wont to do. As always, staying flexible with any routine or habit is what keeps us sane.
Now to you!
What one habit do you want to prioritise this September?
What will give you more energy, clarity, space or just good vibes?
What will move the needle?
What will help you feel most like you?
Some past pieces that may be helpful with this – how to stick to habits etc – here, here and here.
Would love to hear how you get on.
Have a great start to the ‘year’ and thanks for being here, I really appreciate it.
L. x
*If you do buy something from them, I get a small kickback (affiliate life), but it goes straight towards keeping these editions of Prioritise This free for all.
Loved this, Lily. September really is the superior new year — and I’m right there with you in treating it as a gentle return. The line about routines “waiting for us” really landed. It’s such a comforting way to think about structure.