Fall Into a New Routine: How to Cope with the Changes That Autumn Brings
How do you view change? Each of us might approach it a little differently. Are you the type who thrives on planning and organizing and is always one step ahead of change, prepared for all the what-ifs? Or are you the go-with-the-flow type who tends to cross that bridge when you get there? Perhaps you are the avoidant type, unwilling to embrace change because hanging onto what was is much better. Maybe you’ve been all of these at different times throughout your life.
No matter our approach to change, it inevitably finds us. As we shift from summer to fall, we can feel especially unprepared for the change that is coming our way. For many, summer feels fleeting, and we want to soak up every last drop of it. And while we don’t often think of the changing of the seasons as a big change in our lives overall, it really can be. The summer-to-fall transition is the most significant of all.
But why is that? Well, summer often brings about variations in our routines. Things might have gotten a little more relaxed. Maybe you were offered some remote workdays or four-day workweeks. Maybe you enjoyed a well-earned vacation or staycation. After all, they don’t call them the “lazy days of summer” for nothing. Maybe you’re a parent who has your child home with you for the summer. Your life in the summer probably deviates significantly from the rhythm that defines the months of September to June. And now here we are with September knocking at our door with its new routines and pumpkin spice everything.
We acknowledge this time of change for our children as “back-to-school.” We start prepping our kids with new clothes, shoes, and earlier bedtimes to support them through this transition from summer to fall. But what does this look like for adults? How do we prepare?
Cultivate a positive mindset about your new fall routine
This is the first and possibly most essential thing you should do. It might sound trivial, but it is highly necessary and will create a foundation for success. Our thoughts shape our reality. So, if we look at our fall schedules and think “I’m not ready for this,” you won’t be. If you think “This is going to be different, but I can handle it,” indeed, you will. Consider what positive thoughts you will have as you bid farewell to summer and brace for the wave of changes that come after Labor Day.
Identify your preferred way of keeping a schedule
Find what works best for you – whether it’s a whiteboard calendar displayed on your refrigerator, an electronic calendar on your phone, or the tried-and-true handwritten planner/organizer. You might even opt for a combination of multiple systems. Carrying a portable calendar (such as on your phone) will help you to schedule appointments and plans while you’re out of the home. Simultaneously, having a visible calendar easily accessible in your home will help you feel empowered and in control of your days and weeks.
Stick to a routine when you can
Not only can routines have great health benefits for us (bedtimes for adequate sleep, exercise for physical fitness, etc.), but routines also enhance and support our mental health by reducing our stress levels. They help us to feel more in control, and this is important for any period of transition. Simple routines include things like waking up at the same time each day, eating at regular times, and incorporating regular exercise into your daily regimen.
Prioritize your health
Amid the hustle and bustle of increasingly packed schedules, it’s all too easy to forget to schedule our appointments with our physicians or therapists. Too often we put our health on the back burner because we simply don’t have the time. Be sure to make the time. Optimal physical and mental health allows you to excel at work, connect with friends, tend to your children, and maintain a healthy and happy home life. Your busy schedule requires you to be healthy. Make those appointments. Eat well, move your body, get adequate sleep, and regularly engage in activities that you enjoy.
Be mindful and stay present
The weight of active schedules for you and your family can easily lead to a sense of being overwhelmed. To avoid feeling overwhelmed and stressed, take a deep breath and center your attention on your current task. Resist thoughts about how busy your day or week is. Remind yourself that those thoughts do not serve you. Instead, engage fully in the present moment. Single tasking (the opposite of multitasking) will allow you to feel less stressed and more productive. Last, remember to tap into your mindfulness practices and explore new ones that might resonate with you and prove effective.
Perhaps we’ll miss these summer days, but there is beauty in life’s transitions. May you enjoy the exciting experiences that await you in this new season ahead as you embrace this change.