The Mum’s New Year: How to Reset Your Life After the School Holidays
LollyWilliams-Gibbs Williams-Gibbs 
September is the Mum’s New Year! Discover simple reset rituals to regain focus, energy, and balance after the summer holidays, guilt-free.
Ahhh… September.
The kids are back at school, the lunchboxes are packed (well… most days), and for the first time in weeks, you can actually hear yourself think.
For a lot of mums, September feels like the real New Year. January might get all the hype, but let’s be honest, who’s in the mood for a fresh start when it’s dark, freezing, and you’re still recovering from Christmas chaos?
September, on the other hand? It’s full of possibility.
Fresh routines.
Quiet mornings (sometimes).
The chance to breathe, reset, and actually remember who you are outside of snack duty and summer holiday chaos.
So if you’ve been craving a bit of order, focus, and energy… this is your moment.
Why September Feels Like the Real Reset Point
The school year has its own rhythm, and whether you’re a parent or not, you can’t help but feel the shift.
For mums, it’s especially powerful because:
There’s a natural change in routine (no more “What are we doing today?” every five minutes)
There’s more space to think and plan without constant interruptions
It feels like a clean break after the slower, messier pace of summer
It’s the perfect time to check in with yourself and ask:
💬 What do I want this next season to look like for me?
Let Go of the Guilt First
Before you even think about planners, goals, or new habits, we need to talk about something important, summer guilt.
You know the voice:
“I didn’t do enough with the kids.”
“I didn’t stick to my routines.”
“I wasted time.”
Here’s the truth, summer has its own pace, and it’s meant to be a little chaotic. You’re not supposed to be running at 100% productivity while juggling ice creams, beach towels, and endless snack runs.
So give yourself permission to let that guilt go. You showed up. You got through. And now, you get to start fresh.
3 Reset Rituals for Your Mum’s New Year
These aren’t about overhauling your whole life, they’re small, intentional shifts that help you feel more grounded, organised, and energised.
1. The Morning Reclaim
If your mornings have been a bit… feral lately (we’ve all been there), September is the time to bring back a sense of calm.
Start by claiming 10–15 minutes just for you before the day starts, yes, even if that means setting your alarm slightly earlier.
Use that time to:
☕ Drink a cup of coffee while it’s still hot
🧘 Do a quick stretch or breathwork
📓 Write down your top 3 priorities for the day
This isn’t about productivity, it’s about starting the day on your terms, not in reaction mode.
2. The Weekly Reset Hour
Once a week, set aside an hour to plan and prep for the week ahead.
This could be Sunday evening, Monday morning, or whenever works best for you.
During this time:
📅 Check your calendar and write down any key appointments or events
🛒 Meal plan (even loosely) to save last-minute stress
📝 Choose one personal goal for the week, something just for you
By doing this, you create a gentle sense of structure that makes everything feel less overwhelming.
3. The “One Thing” Rule
Instead of overwhelming yourself with a massive to-do list, focus on one key thing each day that moves you closer to the life you want.
This could be:
🌿 Clearing one clutter hotspot in your home
📚 Reading 10 pages of a personal growth book
🏃♀️ Taking a 20-minute walk
Small steps add up and they’re far more sustainable than trying to do everything at once.
Revisit Your Goals
September is a great time to look back at any intentions or goals you set earlier in the year and decide what still matters.
Ask yourself:
Does this goal still feel aligned?
Is it realistic for the season I’m in right now?
What’s one simple next step I can take?
It’s okay to pivot. It’s okay to drop things that no longer serve you. In fact, that’s how you create a life that feels good instead of just looking good on paper.
The Emotional Side of a Reset
A September reset isn’t just about schedules and goals—it’s about how you want to feel.
Do you want more calm? More energy? More joy?
Once you know that, you can make choices that align with it.
For example:
If you want more calm → reduce the number of weekly commitments
If you want more energy → focus on better sleep and movement you enjoy
If you want more joy → schedule something fun just for you each week
A Note on Balance
Remember, this isn’t about perfection.
You don’t have to get it all “right” in the first week back.
Some days will run smoothly. Others will feel like chaos in disguise. That’s normal.
The win is that you’re showing up for yourself and modelling for your kids that it’s okay to pause, reset, and try again.
Your September Challenge
This week, choose one of these reset rituals and commit to it for the next 7 days.
💬 Come back and tell me how it went or share your own September reset ideas in the comments.
Final Thought
The Mum’s New Year isn’t about becoming a “new you.”
It’s about coming back to yourself after a busy season.
It’s about making intentional choices, not running on autopilot.
It’s about showing your kids that self-care, boundaries, and new beginnings are just part of life.
So, my lovely… what’s your September reset going to look like?
Categories: : Vision and Clarity
