The dust has settled. School is back, summer schedules have shifted, and we're all starting to figure out what this next season of life is going to look like. Maybe your calendar is finally beginning to make sense again, or maybe you're still wondering how you're going to fit everything in.
For me, September always brings some rearranging, especially after the onslaught of the yearly back-to-school routine that never seems to get less intense. Besides getting used to a whole new school situation, my son's basketball schedule is one of the biggest pieces this year. I don't want to miss a thing, which means some of my usual routines may need to move around his practices and games.
In addition, my in-person snowbird clients will be arriving soon, and I'm also finally in a position to take on some new clients as well. That's exciting, but it also means I'll be shifting things around to make room for everyone.
That's the thing about routines. They're important, but they aren't permanent.
The routine that worked beautifully in June or July may not work in September. And the schedule that gets you through September may need to change again when the holidays arrive. Life changes, and our routines have to be flexible enough to change with it.
I think sometimes we make the mistake of believing that consistency means doing the exact same things at the exact same times every week. It doesn't. Consistency is continuing to prioritize the things that matter, even when the way you do them has to change.
Maybe your workout time needs to move because of school drop-off. Maybe you need to switch from an afternoon walk to an early morning one, or vice-versa. Maybe two strength training sessions fit your schedule better than three right now. Maybe you have to be more intentional about food preparation because your evenings are suddenly packed.
That doesn't mean you're off track. It means you're finding your rhythm for this particular season.
I've had to do this plenty of times over the years. There have been seasons when work, family, and other responsibilities have made my schedule look completely different from what I would have chosen. The trick isn't trying to force everything back into the old routine. It's figuring out what is most important and then building around it.
So as your September routine settles in, take a look at what's working and what isn't. What are the things you really don't want to give up? What can be moved, shortened, simplified, or done differently?
You don't have to fit everything in.
You just need to make room for the things that matter most.
And if staying active is one of those things, I'm happy to help you figure out where it fits. Whether that's small group training, personal training, walking, or simply finding a realistic way to keep moving when life gets busy, sometimes a little rearranging is all it takes.
Here's to finding your new normal and settling into a rhythm that works for the life you're actually living.