When you think of September, you might picture school buses, new backpacks, and the start of a new routine. But when I think of September, I think of farmers.
This is harvest season.
Farmers are out in the fields gathering what’s grown, clearing away what’s no longer useful, and preparing for the next season.
It’s busy, yes. But it’s also deeply meaningful.
And the more I thought about it, the more I realized September can be the same for us as moms.
Why Fall Matters as Much as Spring
My dad spent his career teaching people about farming and gardening. And one thing he always said stuck with me:
“Fall is just as important as spring.”
Spring gets all the attention.
It’s when the planting happens, when everything feels new and exciting.
But farmers know the truth. What you do in the fall determines how well you’ll be able to start again in the spring.
And I think that’s true for us too.
September is our harvest season.
A chance to pause, reflect, and really look at our lives. It’s when we can decide how we want to finish the year and clear out what’s been weighing us down.
Here are three lessons we can learn from farmers this fall.
Lesson 1: Celebrate the Harvest
Farmers don’t just collect crops, they celebrate them. Even if the harvest wasn’t perfect, they still pause to honor what they grew.
We need to do the same.
Maybe this year didn’t go the way you expected. But I guarantee something grew.
Maybe it was your patience.
Maybe it was your relationship with your kids.
Maybe it was a new routine that made your life smoother.
Big or small, celebrate it.
“What have you already grown this year that you’re proud of?”
Take time this fall to recognize your own harvest.
Lesson 2: Decide What to Carry Across the Finish Line
Harvest season doesn’t last forever. Farmers can’t work every acre, every crop all at once. They prioritize what’s most valuable and what’s ready.
We should, too.
We’ve got a few months left before the year ends. Instead of trying to do everything, what if you chose just one or two things that really matter?
Businesses do quarterly check-ins.
They don’t try to launch 10 projects before the end of the year. They focus on what will make the biggest impact.
So ask yourself:
“If I could end this year with one win, what would it be?”
Lesson 3: Clear Out What’s Not Serving You
Here’s the part we often forget. Farmers don’t just gather crops in the fall. They also clear the fields. Old plants, weeds, anything draining the soil, it all gets removed so the ground can reset.
That’s not wasted work. It’s necessary.
And it’s necessary for us too.
What’s draining you right now?
What could you let go of so you can enter the new year lighter?
Maybe it’s a volunteer role that no longer fits.
Maybe it’s overcomplicating dinner when sandwiches would work just fine.
Maybe it’s the guilt of feeling like you’re not doing enough.
“Clearing space isn’t failure, it’s preparation for what’s next.”
A Harvest Reflection for Moms
This week, grab a notebook and answer these three questions:
- What do I want to celebrate from this year?
- What one thing do I want to finish by December?
- What do I need to clear away to make space for the next season?
It doesn’t have to be perfect or polished. Just take 10 minutes to reflect. That small act can shift how you end this year.
Because September isn’t just back-to-school season. It’s your harvest season too.
Ready to Reset Without Overwhelm?
If you’d love some ready-made tools to help you reflect and reset without the stress, check out the Get Stuff Done Toolkit. It’s designed to give you simple systems you can plug right into your life so you can finish the year strong.
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