September transitions: Creating Space for Yourself

A calm park scene showing trees just beginning to shift from summer green to soft yellow.

September transitions bring a feeling of shifting gears.

This month marks for many a new season or phase that brings with it new schedules or projects and a changing of the light. Whether it is a new job, new semester or school year, or a new venture, this time of year can bring a change of pace that can be motivating and exciting. It can also be a time of reflection, where habits and schedules are reviewed and a hope for something different arises.

For myself, September brings a shift in rhythm from rest to full steam ahead with new challenges on the horizon. However, I also recognise that part of me is motivated to make changes and create some new patterns in life.

Seasonal transitions highlight what we’re carrying emotionally — whether that’s hope, overwhelm, or grief.

This seasonal shift in rhythm, routine, light and temperature can bring about a reflective mood that allows you an opportunity to assess where you are, what changes you might want to make, and what you want to achieve in the coming months. This may be around work but also around what you might be carrying emotionally. As the changing of the season can also bring to the surface emotions that have been pushed aside for the summer, whether that might be difficult emotions, grief, fatigue, or overwhelm that has been ever present. The change in pace can increase pressure or emotional overload. These rising emotions can signal a need for space, to pause, to reflect inwardly, and to find balance.

For myself, I recognise that it is easy for me to neglect my own needs whilst juggling other elements of my life both in and out of work. I am noticing a fresh desire to change unhealthy habits and find more space for myself, to allow me to be more resilient and compassionate to myself.

What does it mean to ‘create space’ before making changes, and why is space often the first step rather than the last?

We can become so busy juggling work commitments, managing the home, getting everyone else to where they need to be that it is easy to forget ourselves and what we need. It is common to ask yourself the question, where am I going to find the time for space for myself? However, by recognising those rising emotions or where that pressure may be coming from you will reach a point where you know you need to ‘create space’. By carving out time for yourself, you will have the opportunity to start exploring what will make you feel grounded, how you can better regulate yourself or find clarity in matters that had felt too difficult to handle. This in turn can lead to lasting change, new habits and a steadiness that was missing.

I recognised this need for space in myself and in taking time for myself, I was able to identify my own pressures and where they were coming from, I have been able to highlight areas of my life that I know I need to change, including eating healthier, and increasing exercise which will in the long term help my cup feel fuller and allow me to cope better with difficult situations.

How can small, compassionate habits — like movement, nourishment, or slowing the pace — help us create that space?

You may want to find a window for yourself in your busy schedule, to take some “me time” to relax and do nothing, or make changes to nourish yourself better, or start an exercise class you keep putting off. These different options can allow you to reconnect with yourself, to find a healthier rhythm, and a better life balance. Each window of time you create is an opportunity to create a compassionate, steady space where you can recognise your own needs and the regular habits you want to weave into your routine. This can have a positive impact on steadying your nervous system, bringing a calmness to what once felt rushed or overwhelming.

For myself, I am making time in the morning to make healthier lunches, eat a bigger breakfast, and I have started a new indoor rowing fitness plan to improve my overall health. Each choice may be small, but together they make me feel calmer, happier, and healthier.

How can counselling support people who feel September’s pull toward change but aren’t sure where to begin?

I know how having a space for myself gives me a small window in the week that is truly mine. I can explore whatever I am feeling and find fresh perspectives to enable me to make small changes which eventually add up to big changes, not only for me but my family.

If you feel like you have been pouring from an empty cup, you may find a counselling space helpful in exploring your own situation, to understand your own pressures and find meaningful ways of refilling your cup.  Counselling can provide a calm, protected space where you do not have to carry everything on your own, where change can unfold at your own pace.

If you feel this article resonates with you and you feel you would like your own space to explore these themes more deeply, I would be honoured to walk alongside you to help create a healing space that supports your next steps.