Friday PWYC: September is the New January

[Twins' Mom]

After I had mentioned the concept of many "New Year" moments, I saw this article yesterday. It's from the NYT Wellness newsletter. I hope you enjoy the concept! (Of course, it's Friday and no one starts over on a Friday, lol!)

September is the new January

By Jancee Dunn

I haven’t been to school in many years, but every fall, I buy myself a stack of new notebooks and some fresh pens.

Something about this ritual takes me back to the first day of school when I was a kid, clutching my shiny Trapper Keeper and roasting in a new sweater.

I still feel the sense of renewed energy and possibility that September brings. Back-to-school season is one of those significant calendar milestones that produces what some behavioral scientists call a “fresh start effect.” This feeling can motivate us to set and pursue new goals, they say.

Traditionally, January is a time of new beginnings, but September can be, too, said Laura Vanderkam, a productivity expert and author of “Big Time: A Simple Path to Time Abundance.” You may have more energy after a restful summer schedule, Vanderkam said.

And September is a good month to make “small tweaks,” she added, “as opposed to the kind of lifestyle overhauls that people seem to think they are going to do every January.”

I asked her and other experts in productivity and fitness how to harness that back-to-school feeling to build healthy habits.

Make a ‘to-learn list’
Our Well editor, Lori, has inspired me by trying out two new things this fall: She recently signed up for a culinary knife-skills class, and has joined a local choir in her neighborhood in Brooklyn.

Many of us have a to-do list, but Jim Kwik, a productivity expert and author of the upcoming book, “Limitless Daily,” recommended writing a “to-learn list” this fall.

“It doesn’t have to be huge,” Kwik said, just write down a few things you’d like to learn to get some ideas flowing.

Then see which ones you can realistically put into action, he suggested. Is it a skill you can learn online? Two of my friends started knitting by using YouTube tutorials; another recently learned to play the trumpet by taking video lessons.

Or go back to school, but without tuition or grades. Yale offers a variety of free online courses, including modern poetry and the study of epidemics in Western society. Harvard has more than 100 free classes on topics such as ancient Egyptian art, and managing anxiety. I’m eyeing a class about the science of food fermentation.

Try a new fitness routine
When it comes to starting a new exercise routine, September has several advantages, said Layne Norton, a bodybuilder and author of the upcoming book “Gain: The Life-Changing Science of Building Muscle.”

Fall often restores the structure in our schedules after the looseness of summer, said Dr. Norton, who holds an advanced degree in nutritional sciences. It’s easier to be consistent, he said. Outdoor workouts can still be pleasant, too, with cooler air but plenty of light remaining.

And starting in the fall also gives you an opportunity to establish a routine before the holidays, Dr. Norton added. By the time the new year begins, he said, “you arrive with several months of practice already behind you.”

If you go to a gym, it can often be less crowded in the fall, he said. “Nothing kills a new fitness routine quite like having to engage in full-contact sparring to get your favorite piece of gym equipment in January,” Dr. Norton said.

This fall, my goal is to build my waning upper body strength. But you can find your new favorite workout here.

Ask yourself these ‘5 key questions’
This month is a good time to reflect and take stock before the hectic winter season, Kwik said.

He said to ask yourself these five questions, from his book:

What do I want to do more of in my life?
What do I want to do less?
What do I want to start?
What do I want to stop?
What’s something that’s working that I want to continue?
“Maybe, for example, you want to start going out in nature more often, do less doomscrolling, and keep up your family dinners,” he said.

Or you can make a few of those small tweaks that Vanderkam mentioned.

Get in touch with friends who have been off the grid over the summer and put some dates on the calendar. Experiment with new fall recipes, try “soft decluttering” as you transition into the new season, or establish a new morning routine.

You can also inject novelty into your routine by trying one small, doable new thing once a week, such as joining a community walk or painting outdoors.

And when it comes to a fresh start, fall has another advantage, Vanderkam said: Unlike the new year, there’s no pressure to make fall resolutions.

[Harriet]

I always feel smarter after I hear from Twins' Mom.

That is the cheeriest title, lol.

Last evening's 5x5 says:

Errand Day - bank, pharmacy
Declutter - office - finish desk
Focus clean - bathrooms each have an agenda (it's Barkeeper's Friend day)
sweep the porches - allow propagated plants a play date outside
start a crop of broccoli sprouts

[Harriet]

lucylee, Remarkably Bright Creatures movie was one I'd bragged on. Highly recommend AFTER you read the book first, of course. That was a thoughtful gift. Sounds like a happy birthday celebration. Do you have a railing on your steps (or was this stairs inside)? I need to make some railing decisions at porch(es?) here.

Kittykatt, briefly, here's my vision. My desk surface has, centered from the back, the monitor and in front of that the keyboard. But a small planner - 8 to 9 inches tall, 13 wide when open - is fine in front of it and serves as my calendaring. To my left, holder for colored pens, glasses (reading and monitor), notepads. To my right, cardfile, landline phone, and a turning holder for all other pens, pencils, scissors, etc. And (this is the "in theory" part), nothing else. HRH has his calendar, which he likes to be the one we take with us, and there's just us two, so we don't use a wall calendar now.

[Nancy]

I luv the quote / lesson today!
Wondering what Soft De-cluttering is?

This time of year I like to donate strange clothing that might be used for costumes.
Fabric as well.

Walked and we saw two doe young ones walking ahead of us as well about 1/2 block up.
Sunrise was pretty on the way home.
I have my a.m. quota of steps in.
Had bfast.
Did my a.m. Rx log entry.
Sipping my Cran. juice now.
-----

More of? Fav. fall meals and menus with crock pot and using oven.
Do less of? mowing
To start... Digging for fall gardening stuff tulips to plant others to move and dig out roses by gate.
To stop.... worrying & out door painting too cool and rainy.
What is working .. morning walks with new neighbor and her dog.
To continue... 21 day challenge with the F.C planner.
Inject novelty in to my week routines...decorate with stickers after a week with my challenges on pages in log and planner.
Fresh start with... food & Rx log.
To learn ... 2 page per day layout with the logs and planning and use info from my masterclass I took last weekend.
This creator H+Joshi Corren has more vids out on 12 week year & quarterly planning. also seasonal clothing swap get gloves out.

[blessedw2]

thank you d twins!!! putting those questions in my card file.

d Nancy glad you enjoyed your walk!!! yay on your day!

d harriet - I feel the same about d twins posts!!!
yay on your evening 5 x 5's good job!

Have a wonderful day everyone.

[Twins' Mom]

I wish I wasn't feeling so crazy busy right now with the Jewish HHD and a week of vacation all mushed together. I'm not even thinking about getting ready for the vacation, just entertaining.

Today I have the COVID/flu shot, a pedicure, need to drop off a construction check, and take a dress and skirt to be hemmed. I was going to do the last two things before the first two, but I've reconsidered. The last two need to go after the pedicure.

[blessedw2]

very sweet: dd older was going to get her nails done and the helper said she definitely has to do that. DD said "well, come on then". D helper looked at dd and me - I told her that I would get mom up and dressed and go on with dd. She was like a little girl - so excited. dd was going to pay for it - but I told her to pay and then I would pay her back. dd told her that she deserved it! Off the two went to the nail polish place; happy as can be! I am waiting for mom to wake up.

my cards for today:
fitness me and mom
work one hour on credit card bill in the late afternoon,
work 1/2 hour on address book
laundry
fix shelf in family room today's main fix it project
zone: family room cards (Friday job)
dog work
extra job. clean canning jar area - clean that cabinet inside and out.
errand buy birthday card for dh
bring one photo box down
shower me.
dailies

unsubscribed some emails

[Lady Maverick]

Good morning

I still feel the sense of renewed energy and possibility that September brings. Back-to-school season is one of those significant calendar milestones that produces what some behavioral scientists call a “fresh start effect.” This feeling can motivate us to set and pursue new goals

Twins - Thank you for sharing this.

I am feeling good about the first 3 hours of my day. My energy level is high and I'm enjoying doing normal things.

I had planned to attend the parade this morning but it isn't going to happen. DH doesn't want to be outside (allergies) and DD15 pleaded with me to check her out of school so she doesn't have to stand with her class to watch parade. I am carefully picking my battles, and this isn't one that I am picking. So we are all home in the comfort of the a/c instead of standing on the street in the heat watching the parade. Several friends always video it and post online so I can watch it that way.

DH has a routine medical test (heart) this afternoon in the city so we will be making that drive. The good part of DD15 being checked out of school already is we won't need to watch the clock and be in a hurry to get back to pick her up from school.

I'm experiencing flash backs to when i used to read for pleasure. I woke up during the night and reached for my book. It brought memories of reading with a flashlight under the covers. There isn't a need for using a flashlight now because I'm using kindle app to read. I like that it allows me to select my font, letter size, spacing between words, spacing between lines, etc. etc. I'm using the kindle app on my laptop and the Kindle app on phone. The two apps interact with each so they both know the last page I've read.
I'm slow because I read in small time segments then do something else. Currently on page 47

[Ramblinrose]

Waving hi…

Working on laundry at the moment. Went to my coffee gathering and had a great chat with friends.

I’m like Cathy and read every day including before I go to bed. Was also a flash light reader when growing up. Was known to read a book behind my text book in school.

Read all the books Cathy mention and other books not age appropriate too.

Read Gone With th Wind for the first time in 8th grade and Forever Amber, which was banned in the 30’s while in high school.

I love to read and seldom watch tv.. would rather read.

[blessedw2]

mom is very tired even though she just woke up about an hour ago
she is all washed up, dressed nicely and is spiffy.
she said that even though her eyes are closed she is awake - every so often she drops her head - very cute!
gave her her meds
ate her breakfast -
went over our local newspaper with her.
I had to help her with her in bed exercises -
her brain is good even if she isn't crazy about me right now
money spent yesterday and today listed in my book
cleaning angels came - they don't work on upstairs but they cleaned mom's room which is a blessing for me. The did the floors on first floor. cleaned the kitchen etc. yay. I almost wish that they could come every other day!
put Alsatian music on and she is enjoying it right now.