September always brings a sense of renewal as we transition from the slower pace of summer (or busier for some!) back to our routines. Many people see this time as a fresh start, an opportunity to refocus and set new goals. While I love the idea of a fresh start, coming back from a break can sometimes feel more challenging.
A personal example of this is my recent reduction in running and time at the gym. Since mid-July, I’ve found it hard to keep a routine. The end of July UK heatwave made running less appealing for me, I then spent two weeks in Spain where it was even hotter (40+ degrees!), and the week after returning home I moved to a new flat.
Amidst all this, I chose not to prioritise my usual running or gym routine, opting instead to enjoy other activities and embrace different forms of movement. This included walking (perfect for exploring new places on holiday!), quick home workouts (which I feel like I can fit in around my schedule), movement from every day life and recognising that moving flat meant lots of packing and lifting boxes!!
Ten years ago, I wouldn’t have understood this mindset at all as I had a very unhealthy and obsessive relationship with exercise. Five years ago I was no longer consumed by exercise in a negative way, however I was competing in fitness competitions which meant a lot of training sessions.
Past me would have felt compelled to make vigorous exercise the centre of my life, no matter what. But today, I see things differently. I’ve learnt that all movement counts and that it’s okay to shift priorities based on what feels right in the moment and fits into my life.
That being said, when I decided to pick up running again end of last week, I wasn’t surprised that it felt tougher than usual, however I did feel a bit deflated by it. I wish it had felt easier and that I hadn’t felt the need to stop multiple times.
But here’s the thing, I’m not annoyed with myself for having done less over August. I started running again last week because I wanted to, not out of guilt or a sense of obligation, but because running genuinely makes me feel good. It might take a little while to build myself back to where I was and the next few runs might continue to feel difficult, but there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.
As we all navigate the September rush, changes in season and any life challenges, I encourage you to be kind to yourself. Whether you’re like me and re-visiting a familiar activity or if you’re trying something new, remember that it’s okay to adjust your pace and prioritise what feels right for you at the moment.
P.S. I recently created a daily wellbeing checklist for one of my clients to use as a form of self-care. I’ve also been using something similar and find it useful for remembering simple but beneficial wellbeing tasks. You can find a copy of one here to start using or as inspiration to create your own.