September has a way of sneaking up on us, doesn’t it? One minute it’s still summer, and the next you’re expected to have the lunches packed, the emails answered, and dinner magically ready by six.
If you’ve been feeling like life is a little messy right now, you’re not alone.
This year, September feels especially new for me because we’ve officially started homeschooling.
A fourth grader and a seventh grader, right at my kitchen table. On the outside, I’m excited about this new chapter. On the inside? I’ve had plenty of moments of panic.
Do I have everything I need? Nope.
Do I know everything I need to know? Definitely not.
But here’s the truth I’m holding onto: you don’t have to have it all figured out to make progress.
And that’s what this post is all about. Resetting routines without starting over.
Why September Feels Like a Reset
September has always felt like a reset month.
The school year begins, schedules shift, and even if you’re kids are not in school anymore, life just feels a little more structured again.
But here’s the catch: you don’t need to overhaul everything just because it’s a new season.
When I first mapped out our homeschooling days, I caught myself overcomplicating things.
I wanted the perfect schedule, the right curriculum for every subject, and of course, the Pinterest-worthy setup.
Then it hit me.
I don’t need to reinvent the wheel.
We already have rhythms that work for us as a family. All I needed to do was build on those.
And that’s exactly what I want to encourage you with today.
Four Reminders for Resetting Routines
Here are the four simple reminders I’m using to reset my routines this fall.
I want you to think about where these could apply in your own life too.
1. Start Small
Think about planting a seed.
You don’t plant 100 seeds and expect a forest to grow overnight. You plant one, water it, and let it grow.
It’s the same with routines.
Instead of trying to reset mornings, evenings, meals, and homework all at once, just pick one. Maybe mornings are the biggest struggle. What if your reset was as simple as laying out clothes the night before? Or packing lunches ahead of time?
That tiny shift can cut morning stress in half.
“One small adjustment can change the entire flow of your day.”
So ask yourself: What’s one tiny reset that would make life a little smoother right now?
2. Build on What’s Already Working
When a business hits a slump, they don’t throw away their whole model. They double down on what’s working.
The same goes for routines.
If bedtime is already flowing smoothly in your house, keep it. That’s your strength. Focus instead on the tricky transition after school or the chaos of homework time.
“Don’t throw away what’s working just because one part feels messy.”
Look at the bright spots in your day and build from there.
3. Reflect and Celebrate
Scientists don’t wait for the big discovery to celebrate. They honor every small breakthrough.
And that’s exactly what we need to do in our homes.
Maybe this week you got everyone out the door with less yelling. Celebrate that.
Maybe you managed dinner at the table twice instead of none. That’s a win.
“Small wins add up. Don’t wait for perfect to celebrate progress.”
Take a moment today to reflect. What’s one small win from this week you can celebrate?
4. Give Yourself Grace
Nature reminds us that seasons shift slowly. The leaves don’t all change color in one day.
Your routines are the same way. They won’t be polished by next week, and they don’t have to be.
Messy starts are still starts.
Some nights it’s cereal for dinner. Some nights bedtime is late.
That doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re human.
“Your routines don’t have to be perfect to be powerful.”
So give yourself grace. Progress matters more than perfection.
The Real Secret to Routines That Stick
Here’s the real secret: routines stick when they grow with you.
So as you head into this week, don’t overthink it. Just pick one small reset. Build on what’s working. Celebrate along the way. And give yourself grace for the messy parts.
And if you’d love ready-made tools to help you reset your routines without overwhelm, check out the Get Stuff Done Toolkit. It’s packed with simple systems to save you time and energy, especially in busy seasons like this one.
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