Ever since becoming a Mum on a warm late September day, nine years ago. September has been really special. When I worked in dry offices, it felt like the start of endless dark months. Once my little baby arrived, it felt like someone had handed me the key to freedom. No more commutes and office politics but escape and fresh air. Finally I was free to discover a new version of myself. One little baby led to another, another September birthday, another reason to change.
Being a mum has been the hardest and most rewarding job I’ve ever done. There were days which wouldn’t end. And years which have passed so fast, the only memories I have are the photos on my phone.
Those little babies have grown, both past the preschool years and well into childhood. As they returned to school I gave myself the grace to reflect on the year so far and how I want the remainder to look and feel. As a business owner I have made a few mistakes and learnt some niggly lessons this year. As a parent, I’m constantly looking at ways to simplify our days. Running two operations from the same space keeps me moving and developing. Today I want to share how I’m planning on keeping everything happy, healthy and nourished going into Autumn and Winter.

There is a really special energy when we get to September – a second (and possibly better) version of new year. There are still enough pages to turn on the calendar to feel a sense of achievement. I find a comforting stability knowing summer is finished and there is absolute certainty of colder days ahead. I don’t look forward to them but knowing they are coming eases the summer stress of growing flowers and releases more creativity.
There have been lots of notes scribbled for this post, I have broken my thoughts into five categories. The first, time,
Time is a luxury and how we use it is up to the individual. I work best when I have a little space. From past years experience I gave us, as a family lots of space as we re-entered the school year. Clubs fill up evenings without realising, we only had a few favourites booked and I haven’t felt the pressure to put any others in this half term. It’s given me time to do housework afterschool, which has given me still full but better time in the garden to plan and focus.
Both inside and out I find I’m more productive if I focus on one or two things. Inside there has been a lot of birthday action. Parties and presents have been getting all my attention. Now birthdays are over, I’ll be able to shift my attention elsewhere.
I find creating a moodboard at the start of a season the best way to gather my thoughts. Over the summer, dreams and ideas flit about my head. With September’s arrival I find it really helpful to gather my thoughts visually and then list out all I want to do.
The list is long but once I see it I can plan my work around it. This can shift weekly – from arranging flowers for wedding, to planning spring planting, to working out new Christmas workshops.

The word Nest came up many times. As we draw inwards, its important to make sure the ‘nest’ we inhabit envelopes us. As soon as the children went back to school I deep cleaned the living room. Filthy was a compliment. Sofa covers, carpets and blankets were all given a full spa treatment. You wouldn’t know it, if you walked in today but I know under the Barbie clothes and Lego is a clean floor! Clean floor = clean head.
Alongside an Autumn clean is the real urge to bring as much nature inside. Wreaths and dried flowers start to find themselves hung and draped around the house. I want to preserve it all! Also, it brings a sense of calm and grounding to the house. Paired with an all important candle, little rituals make a real difference to the balance of the day.
Rest is rarely something that gets prioritised but this Autumn, early nights have been the biggest of treats. Admitting it’s time for bed before 9pm can feel like defeat. However, waking up a little more refreshed always feels like a win. Personally, the change of season and switch of pace has needed time and focus to adjust.
Nourish is the final word on the list . A summer of sandwiches and ‘treats’ was great but now delicious slow cooker season has arrived. Batch cooking is my new preoccupation, come Mondays my kitchen looks like its exploded. The sense of achievement with a few fresh dinners stashed in the freezer and no food wasted is like no other. This is fairly new, I’m hoping in a few weeks time, focus and rest will be my reward for all the kitchen chaos
Nourish doesn’t just apply to food. Its also means adding in the little things that fill you up. For me its reading new or favourite books, making sure I get to the gym, purchasing a few new jumpers to the collection (Vinted, forever) and getting outside. Each of our lists will be different but after a summer of organising two small humans (who I adore, obvs) Autumn is the time to fill your cup before you-know-what begins..!
Thanks so much for reading, if you enjoyed this post you might like last years Autumn Motivation Post


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