September Reset: How to Embrace Routine, Stay Motivated and Make a Fresh Start

September can feel tricky. The days get shorter, mornings get cooler, and summer freedom quickly slips away. For many of us, September means back-to-school chaos, busier work schedules, and the return of routines that feel more draining than energizing.

But here’s the thing: September doesn’t have to feel heavy. It can actually be the perfect time for a September reset — a fresh start where you take control of your habits, your mindset, and your outlook. 

Why September Feels Hard (and What We Can Do About It)

A dear friend of mine recently shared something that hit home. She said, “I have always seen September as a horrible month. The end of summer. Dreaded routine starting over.”

This year, though, she’s trying something new. Inspired by conversations about health and mindset, she decided to shift her outlook. Instead of dreading September, she created her own September Reset goals — small, doable habits like:

• Eating within set hours

• Drinking more water

• Allowing treats only on certain days

• Moving for 20 minutes a day (walk, yoga, or a quick bike ride)

• Making coffee at home only (sorry Starbucks and Tim Hortons, but I think you'll survive just fine)

 Nothing extreme. Just small, realistic steps.

And her perspective shift? “I have no control over the change of season, but I can control my outlook.”

That’s the heart of a reset.

 The Power of Small Changes in September

When we think about lifestyle change, we often imagine big commitments: running a marathon, giving up sugar, or reinventing our daily schedule overnight. But lasting change doesn’t work like that.

It starts with tiny, intentional choices:

•  Choosing water over soda

• Going for a 10-minute walk instead of  )scrolling on your phone (just make sure you finish reading this blog article first 😉)

• Turning in early to get more sleep

These habits might look small, but over time they build momentum. And momentum builds confidence. That’s what makes September such a great time to reset.

Why September Is the Best Time for a Reset

We usually think of January as the season for resolutions, but September has its own natural rhythm. The season shifts, routines change, and we’re already in a mindset of new beginnings.

Here are three ways you can use a September Reset to feel better this fall:

1. Create Your Own Reset List

Write down 3–5 goals that make you feel good this month. Keep it simple — things like “drink two glasses of water before coffee” or “move for 15 minutes a day.”

2. Focus on What You Can Control

You can’t change the weather or the school calendar. But you can decide how you’ll show up. Start small and let those wins give you confidence.

3. Shift Your Perspective

Instead of thinking, “September is the end of summer,” reframe it: “September is my fresh start.” This one mental shift can change how you approach the season.

How a September Reset Can Support Your Running Goals

If you’ve been thinking about starting running (or restarting after the summer), September is the perfect time. Many women I coach tell me they feel intimidated — by time, by the colder weather coming, or by comparing themselves to others.

Here’s the truth: you don’t need to run far or fast. You just need to start. Lace up and jog for one minute, then walk. Do a 10-minute run around the block. Celebrate the small wins — they matter.

Like any reset, running is about consistency and outlook. You don’t need a huge overhaul. You just need to take one small, doable step.

Choosing Your Outlook This September

September will always bring change — shorter days, cooler mornings, busier schedules. But you always have a choice: resist it, or embrace it as a fresh start.

This season, I encourage you to:

•  Write your own September Reset list

• Focus on small, realistic habits

• Choose an outlook that energizes you

 Because while we can’t control the seasons, we can control how we show up for them.

 What about you? If you were to write your own September Reset goals, what’s one small, doable change you’d include?