Finding your back to school balance
As the school bell rings in the official end of Summer vacation and day planners quickly fill with deadlines and activities, it is easy to find ourselves feeling a little overwhelmed. Whether it's you or a loved one that's back to hitting the books, everyone feels the shift.
Here are a few tips to help you stay grounded during back to school season:
1. Set small, achievable goals
Grab a piece of paper and take some time to consciously set goals for yourself and the coming season.
What exactly is it that you are looking to accomplish with your time, energy, finances, daily habits, and relationships these last few months of the year?
Write out everything that comes to mind without hesitation, then go back and be real with yourself about what is actually achievable for you at this time.
Narrow your list down to five or so goals, write them BIG on a new sheet of paper and place them somewhere you will see on a daily basis. Be consistent in your actions toward achieving your goals and watch how your life expands in the most magnificent of ways.
2. Establish A Daily Routine
Establishing a daily routine is a great way to stay grounded when life, homework, and daily activities pick up in pace. Set an intention do the same things (wake up, exercise, eat, go to bed, etc.) at roughly the same time every day in order to balance an increasingly busy schedule.
It’s ok if your routine alters slightly from day to day, as scheduling curveballs are bound to happen. The point is to just keep trying.
Best advice: choose ONE activity you can commit to doing daily. Such as waking up at 6am and working out, going to bed by 10p, or even something as simple as making time to eat breakfast before running out the door. Start with one and then add on to your routine as you feel ready.
With time, your favorite routines will become more like rituals that add flavor and sanctity to your life.
3. Cover Your Neck
Have you too began to notice the subtle fall chill in the air? It is still pretty warm out but every once in awhile that wind feels noticeably cooler. Our neck is easily the most exposed part of our body at all times. A narrow gateway connecting our sinuses and our lungs - and oh man is it sensitive. When a virus strikes, it hits the weakest part of us first, which is why many colds begin with sore or scratchy throats.
A scarf is a great transitional accessory that keeps your neck protected and warm, without being too cumbersome or overheating - especially awesome for those overly air conditioned classrooms, or offices.
4. Clear Out Clutter
As the trees lose their leaves, so must we ritually shed old skin and old ways of doing things.
Back to school season is a great time to re-asses what is taking up too much space in your life. That dress you haven’t worn in 5 years, but you swear you might wear again one day? Sayonara! The overflowing bookshelf and toy baskets? Goodwill here you come! Start with clearing out clutter in your physical space and then see what the Universe is calling for you to release in other, more subtle ways.
Letting go can be hard, but it makes space for the things that are to come. It makes us strong and resilient, allowing for greater energetic flow and abundance in our lives.