There's something about September that always feels like a fresh start. After the long summer months – the unstructured days, the trips, the holidays, sorting out arrangements for the kids, and the heeeeat! – we find ourselves gradually returning to routine.
Routine might sound like a dream right now, but it isn't always easy to create one that doesn't wear us down. On one hand it gives stability, order and security. On the other, it's very easy to get stuck in it and discover we're just "running on autopilot" without stopping to feel anything.
To me, the difference between a draining routine and a good one lies in the small things we choose to bring into it.
Why is now the time for a small change?
Rosh Hashanah later this month gives us a reminder: the year can look different. It doesn't have to be something big and scary – sometimes even one small step can make a big change in our routine and lifestyle. One more class a week, one more moment to breathe, one more small habit that brings us back to ourselves.
How do you create a routine that doesn't wear you down?
Choose one small thing that feels good – something that does you good, that you can stick with and look forward to.
Put it in your calendar – once it's in the diary, it gets priority like any other meeting.
Tell the people around you – changes in routine can rise or fall on the support of those close to you. Share your plans, get advice and fresh perspectives, and let yourself be helped to make this change last.
What's worth adding to my routine?
A phone call with a close friend, reading a book before bed, or even a workout.
Pilates or yoga are a great example of a routine that nourishes us. They're not just "another sport", but a space to stop, breathe, strengthen the body and meet ourselves again. Sometimes I walk into a class tired and leave with a lightness I hadn't felt all day.
And when it happens again and again, it's no longer just another class. It's part of the routine that holds us, strengthens us and helps us get through the day with more energy and calm.
A good start to a good year
So just before we dive deep into schedules, office tasks, errands and chores, I invite you to think about one thing you could add to your routine this month. Something small, personal – yours.
And although routine can be draining, now is exactly the time to remember how wonderful it is for us – and how we can make it even better.
And what about breaking the routine?
Well, that's what holidays, vacations and even our one-day retreat are for – coming up very soon, on 17.10.25, just in time to escape the routine a little and then return to it. For more details about the retreat, click here.
Just as routine gives us a base and a sense of stability, breaking it is no less important. It lets us renew ourselves, refresh, and bring back our curiosity and energy. When we do something different from time to time, we give the mind and body a chance to "air out". Stepping out of the routine is exactly what lets us return to it with more desire, inspiration and freshness.
Wishing us all a month full of good beginnings, moments of breath and movement, and a good year that starts right now.
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