School has started - a little time for me
The Children Are Back at School – Is It Time to Make Some Space for You?
The summer holidays are over. The school bags are packed, uniforms are back on, alarms are being set again and, slowly, everyday routines are returning.
For many women, September brings a strange mixture of emotions.
There may be relief at getting back into a routine, perhaps a little sadness that the summer has ended and, quite possibly, a sense of sheer exhaustion.
Because although we call them the holidays, they don’t always feel much like a holiday for the person holding everything together.
Days out, meals, shopping, washing, entertaining, organising, travelling, remembering what everyone needs and trying to make sure everybody has a lovely summer can leave very little time for you.
So, now that the children are back at school and life is beginning to settle into its usual rhythm, perhaps it’s time to ask yourself a simple question:
When did I last make some time for me?
When did you last put yourself on the list?
As women, we can become very good at looking after everyone else.
We notice when somebody is tired. We remember the appointments. We organise the family calendar. We make sure everyone has what they need.
But how often do we give ourselves that same attention?
Sometimes we don’t realise how depleted we have become until life becomes a little quieter.
You might notice that you're more tired than usual. Perhaps you're struggling to switch off, feeling overwhelmed by small things or finding that your patience isn't quite what it normally is.
Maybe your shoulders are permanently somewhere around your ears and you can't remember the last time you sat down without mentally running through your to-do list.
These can all be useful reminders that you need some attention too.
Self-care doesn’t have to be complicated
When we hear the words self-care, it can sometimes sound like another task to add to an already overflowing list.
It really doesn't have to be.
Taking care of yourself might simply mean having a cup of tea while it is still hot. Going for a walk without turning it into an opportunity to run an errand. Sitting in the garden for ten minutes. Reading a few pages of a book. Going to bed a little earlier.
It could mean saying no to something you don't really have the capacity for.
Or it could mean booking an hour in your diary that belongs entirely to you.
The important thing isn't what you do.
It's recognising that your wellbeing deserves a place in your life too.
September can be your reset
We often think of January as the time for fresh starts, but I think September has its own wonderful sense of renewal.
After the change of pace that comes with summer, September gives us an opportunity to return to routine and consider what we want that routine to look like.
Instead of immediately filling every available space in your diary, perhaps leave some room for yourself.
Ask yourself:
What do I need more of right now?
Is it rest?
More energy?
Better boundaries?
Time outside?
More movement?
Less rushing?
A little more kindness towards yourself?
You don't need to completely change your life. Sometimes the smallest adjustments can make the biggest difference to how our days feel.
Give yourself permission to stop
One of the things I hear from women is how difficult it can be to simply stop.
Even when we finally have some time to ourselves, our minds are already looking for the next job.
I should put the washing on.
I could quickly answer those emails.
I'll just pop to the supermarket.
Before we know it, the space we had for ourselves has disappeared.
Rest isn't something you have to earn by completing everything on your list.
And there will always be something else on the list.
Giving yourself permission to stop, even for a short while, can be an important part of looking after your wellbeing.
Creating your own moment of calm
This is where complementary therapies can provide something we often struggle to create for ourselves: dedicated time to stop.
At Grounded Grace Collective, your appointment is time that has been deliberately set aside for you.
Reflexology offers an opportunity to lie back, switch off and enjoy a deeply relaxing treatment.
Reiki provides a gentle, calming space where you can step away from the demands of everyday life and focus on yourself.
And if you feel that something deeper is holding you back – perhaps long-standing habits, beliefs or patterns that you would like to change – RTT® Hypnotherapy offers a different approach to exploring those areas.
There is no expectation that you need to arrive feeling calm, organised or completely clear about what you need.
You can simply arrive as you are.
What could you do for yourself this week?
Before another busy term gathers momentum, take a moment today and ask yourself:
What is one thing I could do for myself this week?
Not for the children.
Not for your partner.
Not for work.
Not because it needs ticking off a list.
Just for you.
It might be something as simple as taking half an hour to sit quietly with a book, meeting a friend for coffee, getting outside for a walk or booking a treatment you've been meaning to try.
Whatever you choose, put it in your diary.
And try to give it the same importance you would give an appointment for somebody else.
A little time for you at Grounded Grace Collective
If the summer has left you feeling as though you need a little time to rest and reset, I would love to welcome you to Grounded Grace Collective.
Whether you choose Reflexology, Reiki, RTT® Hypnotherapy or a bespoke wellbeing session, we can talk about what you need and find an approach that feels right for you.
Because looking after yourself doesn't mean you're taking something away from everyone else.
Sometimes, it simply means remembering that you matter too.
So, now that the school gates have reopened and everyone else is getting back into their routine, perhaps this September is the perfect time to create a little space in yours.
A little less rushing.
A little more breathing.
And a little more time for you.