“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” ~Isaiah 43:19

"September days are here, with summer's best of weather and autumn's best of cheer." ~Helen Hunt Jackson

When we think of fresh starts, our minds might be filled with ideas of the new year or spring cleaning. Yet autumn can also be a time of new beginnings. Kids head back to school. We return to our regular routines. Often it can be a season marked by new activities, or new plans. So, if we capitalize on this energy of newness and fresh starts, I think that fall can be a great time to rethink our goals and to reset our homes and lives. 

I specifically really enjoy this season, because it is also my birthday! As a September kid, (who also loves school and school supplies!!) this time gives me inspiration. It helps find focus for the end of the year and to focus on my priorities. In this blog, I’m going to share both some strategies and tips to help you make the most of this season.

THE BEAUTY OF A FRESH START

"As long as autumn lasts, I shall not have hands, canvas and colors enough to paint the beautiful things I see." ~Vincent Van Gogh

For many of us, school has already started! We are enjoying new school supplies, normal schedules and there are even some pumpkin treats returning. We are also struggling with early wake-ups, full days, and trying to get back to good habits. So this is part of why we need a fresh start, a new beginning. It gives us space for all of these changes!

Take some time and think about why you need a fresh reset. 

• Return to habits that support your healthy lifestyle.
• Restoring the time you need to do important things, like homework, extracurricular activities, and work projects.
• Motivation to finish the year strong and chase your goals.
• Clean spaces in your home to embrace decluttering and clearing out things you don’t need.
• Just a kickstart in getting used to all the many changes.

If you aren’t sure that you have the time for any of these things, I’d like to suggest that the payout of resetting will be worthwhile. Look at our calendar, set aside a few hours. Then go through the lists below! Try out the things that will work best for you. Make it an autumn to remember!

STRATEGIES FOR A FRESH START

"It’s the first day of autumn! A time of hot chocolatey mornings, and toasty marshmallow evenings, and, best of all, leaping into leaves!" ~Winnie the Pooh

Winnie the Pooh has the right idea! As autumn approaches, may we embrace this season. Here are some strategies to enjoy your fall fresh start:

• Walk through your home and look for piles. Piles usually indicate places where you need some organization or systems. Start by cleaning and clearing out the pile, then make a plan to avoid further build up.
• Open up the windows and air out your house! This is also what I like to do when I dust, change sheets, vacuum and clean. The fresh air makes everything feel a bit more fresh.
• If cleaning has fallen by the wayside during the summer (it has for me!), then take some time to do a bit more of a deep clean in areas that need it. This can help things feel more prepared for the busy fall.
• Look through your goals for the year, see where you are at. If there are any that you don’t want to do with any more, let them go freely. If there are some that need extra energy, make sure to schedule time for them on your calendar over the next four months.
• Schedule a half or full day away, just to reflect over the past 8+ months and dream about the rest of the year. Come up with things that you want to do, and make sure to schedule them in.
• Set aside some time for fun with your favorite people! It can help you find joy and gratitude for the season.

What else would you add to this list? Let us know!

IDEAS FOR A FULL FALL

"Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves change." ~Elizabeth Lawrence

Now that you have set up your fresh start for your fall… why not also add in some extra fun things? Here are some of the things I am hoping to do .

• Go leaf watching. Look for spaces that are especially good to look at in your area.
• Grab your favorite pumpkin flavored or other fall themed drink and catch up with friends.
• Jump in leaves!
• Find some fun fall decorations, or buy some small pumpkins, and make your space feel set up for the season.
• Head to a pumpkin patch, or apple orchard.
• Bake a new recipe that leaves your house smelling like autumn.
• Light a new candle!
• Find a new fall read. (Full list of fall books coming to our blog next week!)
• Watch your favorite fall movie. 

"I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house." ~Nathaniel Hawthorne

ENJOY YOUR AUTUMN

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." ~Ezekiel 36:26

Fall can be a great season! Chill air in the morning and evening. Sunshine. Leaves turn beautiful colors. Sweater weather. There is a coziness to autumn that is unmatched by any other. I hope your season is full of fun things, fresh starts and all the goodness you could hope for.

“And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’ Also, he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.'” ~Revelation 21:5

“No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and puts it on an old garment; otherwise, he will both tear the new, and the piece from the new will not match the old. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins, and it will be spilled out, and the skins will be ruined. But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins.” ~Luke 5:36-38

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” ~2 Corinthians 5:17

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

1. Where in your life do you need a fresh start now?
2. What fresh start strategy do you want to try?
3. Which fall activity are you most excited to try?
4. How can this season motivate you to chase your goals?
5. What is one thing from this blog that you want to try in your life? Put it on the calendar!