7 Ways To Make The Most Of A September Reset

September has always had a bit of a ‘New Year’ feeling to it. Maybe it’s the back-to-school effect, even when school days are long behind us, or simply the change in the air as summer starts to give way to autumn. Either way, it feels like a natural point in the year to reset.

Not with an ambitious list of resolutions or a complete life overhaul, but by getting back to the things that make us feel good, sorting out a few things that have slipped over summer and making plans for the season ahead.

In other words, it’s a good time to put yourself back on your To-You list.

 

 

1.  Reset Your Habits

Routines often slip over the summer. Later nights, holidays, visitors and spontaneous plans are all part of the fun, but by September many of us are ready for a little more structure again.

Think less about creating a whole new routine and more about returning to the habits you already know make a difference. Getting enough sleep, moving regularly, eating well, drinking enough water or simply giving yourself a bit more breathing space during the week. Start small by borrowing a few ideas from these Sunday Habits to make the week ahead feel a little easier.

 

2.  Update Your Beauty Routine

Just as we start reaching for an extra layer, our skin can benefit from a few seasonal changes too. As the weather cools and central heating starts creeping back on, you might find your skin needs a little more moisture than it did during summer. It could be as simple as switching to a richer moisturiser or giving a little more attention to the areas that tend to feel the change first. 

And while summer may be fading, remember SPF doesn’t need to disappear with it. 

 

3.  Think About Vitamin D

Vitamin D is known as the ‘sunshine vitamin’ because our bodies create it when our skin is exposed to sunlight. As we head into the darker months, it’s worth understanding how our needs change and the different ways we can support our levels. 

Find out more about vitamin D with this expert advice, including signs to look out for if you think you may be deficient and how to support your levels in winter. 

 

4.  Try Something New 

Is there something you’ve been meaning to try but never quite got around to? A creative hobby, a different way to exercise or something you’ve always fancied learning? Now is a good time to give it a go. 

Pick up a hobby you’ve neglected or choose something completely new simply because it sounds interesting. It’s also worth seeing what’s happening locally as classes and groups settle back into their regular routines after summer. Bookmark our Things To Do page for inspiration and regular updates.

 

5. Declutter Your Space

Spring cleaning gets all the attention, but September is an equally satisfying time to have a sort out. Start with the kitchen cupboard you can’t find anything in, the bathroom cabinet that needs a clear-out or that drawer where everything without an obvious home seems to end up.

You don’t need to tackle the whole house. Pick one space, work out what you actually use and decide what can be sold, donated, recycled or passed on.

 

6.  Get Back Into Reading

There are some things autumn simply does better, and curling up with a good book is one of them. So, if reading got a little neglected over the summer, now is a lovely time to get back into it. Leave a book beside the bed, swap ten minutes of scrolling for a chapter or make reading part of your evening wind-down.

If you’ve fallen completely out of the habit, we have some simple ideas for how to read more. And when you need your next book, you’ll find plenty of inspiration in our regular book recommendations.

 

7.  Revisit Your Wardrobe

Before you decide you have nothing to wear for autumn, take another look at what you already own. September is the perfect in-between month for rediscovering the layers, jackets, boots and knitwear that have been pushed to the back of the wardrobe all summer. Pull things out, try them on and work out what you’re actually going to wear. Anything you no longer wear can be sold or donated, and once you can see what you already have, it’s much easier to spot the genuine gaps.

Then, if you do want to add something new for autumn, look for pieces that work hard with the clothes you already own rather than buying simply because a new season has arrived. No dramatic reinvention required. Just a few small changes to make the season ahead feel a little better.

And perhaps something new on your To-You list.