Back to School, Back to YOU
September often feels like a second January—a time when we reassess our self-care practices and routines that may have been sidelined due to summer activities, travel, and socializing. For some, this return to routine is refreshing, while others may feel reluctant to say goodbye to the carefree days of summer. Regardless of where you fall on this spectrum, we all transition back to our regular schedules and brace ourselves for the upcoming holiday season, which seems to arrive earlier each year!
As I prepare for the months ahead, I reflect on how I want to feel. Like many, I began the year with a guiding word to help me navigate life’s opportunities. However, as the year has unfolded, it’s clear that things haven’t gone quite as planned, as they almost never do! While I still hold that initial word close, I’ve also tuned in to new words that resonate with me now. Currently, the words that stand out are: present, inspired, and hopeful.
I encourage you to spend some time reflecting on how you want to feel from now until the end of the year. They help guide me each morning and remind me how I want to show up for myself and others each and every day. Consider writing down a few things that help you achieve these feelings. Here is mine as an example:
Being Present: Focus on staying in the moment. When my mind drifts to future tasks or worries, I notice an increase in my heart rate and negative self-talk. This signals me to return to the present—whether it’s engaging with the person I’m with, working on a project, or simply enjoying a meal with my daughter. Being truly present helps me stay grounded.
Inspired: I’m excited about the creative and meaningful work opportunities ahead. Though it’s easy to feel insecure or question my abilities, I use these moments as cues to let my creativity flow, embrace big ideas, and collaborate with leaders who value good health.
Hopeful: My daughter is undergoing treatment in the medical system. As a holistic healer, I appreciate the medical system's value but sometimes struggle with conflicts between holistic and conventional approaches. I remain hopeful in her recovery, trusting in the system while supporting her with my holistic perspective. This balance helps her build her own beliefs and habits, fostering her long-term well-being.
Take a moment to connect with how you want to feel and what steps you can take to nurture those feelings.
Here’s to a fulfilling and mindful rest of the year!