It’s back to school time …not for me I just withdrew from the Master’s Program I was supposed to be starting - honestly I was never even enrolled… even though I thought I was. Long story short and a “lapse in communication on our part” as they so kindly put it - I am not attending and yes for those keeping score…this is the second time I have made this decision.
Why?
Because every time I have decided to go back to school it’s because I am making the decision from a fear based position. And honestly I don’t want to do that anymore. I love school…cause I’m good at it. And I love structure with a known outcome. A syllabus hits the spot. But I also am ready to pickup the things that I put down because they got too hard. And “apply” what I like about “school” to my life. Oh yeah and those things.
So what does this have to do with you?
Well… there's this weird "back-to-school" energy in the air—even if you graduated when Christina Aguilera really looked like that. Or if you are withdrawing from the Fall semester like me. There’s no denying the vibes and targeted ads for back to school, so let’s stay with this for a minute.
If you have been following me for sometime - I absolutely love The Fall - I loved school when I was younger (Big Big nerd) so in an odd way September is sort of like a fresh start for me. I get new clothes, new underwear (if you’re in the chat you know this already), and I sort of use this as my reset & refresh. I tend to do this with every season in its own way - but Fall is different. It’s a vibe. No other season has it’s own latte or so many Pinterest mood boards dedicated to it like Fall. She’s main character energy. She’s like “You see those leaves? Watch them get more beautiful, wither away, and die. Then come back again.” Who else has that? Nope Fall is a flex.
But here’s the thing: you don’t need to be getting that fresh 5 Star Notebook (nothing feels as good as writing on that first page) or obsessing about your new lunchbox - You need to be focusing on YOU. Plus the details, and some organization. September is basically saying “Hey, Let’s Get Your Shit Together”.
It’s also Virgo Season and if you want to go on a wild deep dive about that you can here (where I have written about the energy of the season). But if we take a lil hint and help from Virgo Season we know it means it’s the perfect time to sit down and figure out what’s working in your life and what’s not. Think of it like those home renovation shows…but for your existence.
I know…routines. Am I trying to get you to unsubscribe at this point? Im not. I’m trying to convince myself just as much that these things actually do work. Trust me. No one hates ROUTINE more than me. I’ve learned I cannot get too bogged down by them but I also have realized I can’t just roll over, brush my teeth, and hope for the best. There needs to be a lil bit of intention sprinkled throughout the day. Maybe it’s a morning meditation, or a brain dump, or the little rituals that make you remember why tending to yourself keeps you out of survival mode and clicking check marks on that to-do list like you’re a celebrity assistant.
Let’s Journey…
When you were younger and in school you got a syllabus, you had some class structure, and yes you even received homework. You also got breaks and periods of rest. Even gym, recess, and art. Structured breaks where you could burn up that energy and also get some inspiration and creativity. And get the 5th grade tea. And at the end of the year all those chapters, and lessons, and tests culminated into you having some sort of takeaway and maybe even learning something.
Now industrial complex aside and the grand plan to turn us all into factory workers tabled for a minute (yes I’ve been deep on Tik Tok conspiracy theories again) - let’s look at this from a different lens.
What if we used this September for getting back to you? Especially if you let it all go out the window all summer like I did. And maybe try for a minute to remember what going back to school felt like.
Do you remember?
I Do. I always quickly go right back to that one year sitting in the gym waiting to find out my fourth grade teacher, holding my eyeglass case tightly gripped in hand (I got glasses over the summer break), the nervousness and the excitement for the unknown but mostly the optimism. For as unsure as I was, I was wildly optimistic. I also had all my outfits planned out for the rest of the month. And Even though I had no idea what that year was about to bring, or that I would get ketchup on that new sweater the first time I wore it - by the end of that year I was cruising. But looking back it took a good part of the year to get me there.
So if you’re inspired by any of this or it’s calling to you or you think you might want to embark on breaking down your next “school” year —minus the first day outfits and terrible cafeteria food. Think about some practical goals or the way you want to move thru the next season.
When I say practical goals - I mean doable. Don’t set out to run a marathon if the last time you ran on purpose was to catch the bus. Please don’t set yourself up for failure. Think small steps.
It’s about being a life long learner - whether that’s getting to know yourself better through day dates, or learning a new skill.
So what do you really want right now? For yourself? When was the last time you were excited about something? Or even optimistic? What could you stand to try to move the needle on over “the school year”?
Maybe even make a syllabus for yourself if that’s your thing. But don’t spend so much time on it that you don’t get anything done.
If you want to take this a step further with me - I’ll be hosting a self care session plus a chat for paid subscribers on September 3rd.
See you there!
And this is why I lovvveeeee Virgo season!
Loved that back-to-school feeling so much I became a teacher 😅
I always look at this time to review budget, reorganize, declutter, and get excited about new projects - work and otherwise. Goal this year is to put a little more time and energy into my personal goals and not get too bogged down by the demands of teaching…work life h a r m o n y is the goal ✨