The start of September means different things for different people. For some, it means the start of another school year, for others it means the commencement of crazy schedules, and for many it means that winter is becoming increasingly imminent.
For me, September has always been a New Year of sorts. This is likely because I have spent almost my entire life immersed in the world of education; regardless, the end of summer seems to go hand-in-hand with new beginnings and September feels full of blank pages that are just waiting to be filled.
This time of year can also quickly become overwhelming and stressful. Carpool schedules need to be sorted, extracurricular activities need to be attended, snacks need to be sent, lunches (oh, the lunches) need to be made, and let’s not forget breakfast and supper purchased and prepared too. Add in attempting to keep a clean house, surprise drop-by visits from family, and all the other to-do tasks that never end, and September can begin to feel more like a punishment than a fresh start.
This September, I have decided not to hit the proverbial ground running, and instead I am going to bask in the blank pages of this new season.
I have decided to breath and reboot.
Here are a few ways I plan on doing this:
Indulge in nature – When I spend time outside it is typically for one of the following reasons: My kids are outside and need refereeing, I am walking from my van to my house unloading groceries, I am on my annual run-streak wherein I run consistently for a week and then stop when regular television programming starts up again. And yet, there are few things more grounding for me than being in nature. As a Canadian who knows winter is on the horizon, I plan on stealing more minutes to myself outside whether that be on a long walk with the kids or a short coffee on the deck. A few minutes in nature is sure to provide me with some much-needed Vitamin D and ground me for the rest of the day. Breathe, reboot.
Inhale the positive – Nothing can sully a new year or a fresh start quite like a negative attitude. Breathing and rebooting is as much about mind as it is about body, and for this reason I plan on keeping close track of my negative thoughts and working hard to replace them with a more positive outlook. I want to look at life through a lens of gratitude instead of through a lens of want, and this takes practice, patience, and presence of mind. This is sure to be a challenge, but one well worth the effort. Breath, reboot.
Invest in comfort – When it comes to doing a personal reset, comfort, style, and easy maintenance are pivotal to success, and Gaiam’s Activewear line checks all these boxes and more. When I am trying to breathe and reboot, there is nothing more frustrating than doing this in clothes that are uncomfortable, and there is nothing less motivating than dawning my dowdiest sweats and rattiest t-shirt and attempting to be my best self.
The Gaiam brand has been around for a long time…in fact, if you check your favourite yoga dvd or accessory their brand is likely the one stamped on your item. They are experts in their field and it shows in their clothing. The activewear line from Gaiam can easily transition from home to school pick-up without sacrificing style and comfort. Even better, the clothes wash wonderfully so you don’t look like a twisted mess once pulling them from the dryer.
My favourite thing about this activewear line (aside from how versatile the items are) is that the clothes breathe along with the wearer. So whether you are enjoying a long walk or a short coffee on the deck; whether you are breathing in a yoga class or breathing in positivity; you are not breathing in sweat and discomfort.
It is hard to take a step back while on the cusp of a busy season, but using September as a fresh start will help me get through the rest of this year with a clear mind. I am turning the page from summer to fall and that page is all about my own well-being. It’s about taking some time to breathe and reboot.
Who wants to join me?
Disclosure: I received samples from Gaiam to review for this post, but all opinions are my own.