Roy Suryo
As the golden hues of summer begin to fade and a crispness enters the air, September arrives as a natural inflection point, signaling a shift in energy and focus. This month, often synonymous with new beginnings – whether it’s the return to academia, the commencement of a new career, or simply the resumption of the daily school run – presents a prime opportunity for a personal "September Reset." This concept, gaining traction on social media, offers a gentler, more accessible alternative to the often-daunting resolutions of the New Year. Instead of drastic overhauls, it champions small, manageable changes designed to propel us towards the end of the year with renewed momentum and purpose.
Cami Sophia, a 24-year-old content creator and podcast host from Northampton, embodies this philosophy. For her, September marks the winding down of summer’s spontaneous adventures and a crucial time to re-establish order. "If you’ve been away for the summer, you’ve probably not had a massive routine," she explains. "And if you’re a parent, then you’ve got kids at home, and it’s just a bit more chaotic." September, in her view, evokes the familiar feeling of "back to school…getting back into your own rhythm." This structured approach allows individuals to "get everything sorted," ensuring that come January, the overwhelming task of initiating change isn’t compounded by the inertia of the preceding months.
Bas Verplanken, a professor emeritus of social psychology at the University of Bath, corroborates the psychological significance of this transitional period. He views September as an ideal moment to "reorient yourself." His research indicates that individuals experiencing significant life changes, such as moving house, demonstrate a greater receptiveness to interventions promoting sustainable behaviors compared to those who haven’t undergone such disruptions. "It’s really an exciting way of looking at disruption," Verplanken shared on the "What’s Up Docs?" podcast. He emphasizes that while established routines might serve their purpose, September offers a fertile ground to "explore alternative ways of doing things" and to implement meaningful changes. This period encourages a proactive evaluation of existing habits and a willingness to adapt them for enhanced well-being and productivity.
The digital landscape is currently awash with content dedicated to this September Reset, with creators sharing practical tips on how to "lock in" new habits by starting small. Common suggestions include decluttering living spaces, organizing wardrobes, incorporating regular walks, and diving into new reading material. However, Cami offers a word of caution against the prevalent trend of sharing overly ambitious spreadsheets detailing radical lifestyle overhauls. "It’s very easy to look at all of these things and what you should apparently be doing and get really overwhelmed," she admits.
Cami’s personal approach to her September Reset begins with a reflective process. She encourages individuals to "look at the goals I set at the start of the year and see what I actually still want to do – and then what I need to do to get from A to B." Following this introspection, she advocates for the selection of three small, "non-negotiable" habits. These could be as simple as incorporating fruit into breakfast, ensuring vegetables are present at dinner, or drinking a glass of water before coffee. The key, she stresses, is to introduce changes that require minimal initial effort. For instance, she’s re-establishing healthy sleep patterns by setting alarms, a straightforward yet effective tactic.
The cornerstone of any successful routine lies in its sustainability, and Cami firmly believes that meticulous planning is the secret ingredient. She dedicates her Sunday mornings to this endeavor, meticulously outlining her meals and workout schedule for the week ahead. "Even plan your outfits for the workday if you really want to, because it saves you time," she suggests. This proactive approach aims to "limit the choices" that might lead to straying from the intended path. By "meal prepping three days worth of overnight oats," for example, Cami eliminates the decision-making process in the morning. "Naturally, I’m going to grab those because they are made and ready. I’ve removed the friction of grabbing a quick meal or not having any breakfast."
Professor Verplanken echoes this sentiment, asserting that the true secret to embedding lasting habits lies in creating an environment where new behaviors become the path of least resistance towards achieving a desired outcome. He advocates for designing routines that allow habits to evolve into an "effortless" part of daily life. This involves creating "specific plans of where, when, and what you will do." He illustrates this with the example of weight loss: "Let’s say, losing weight, you can think, when I go to the supermarket, I’m going to look specifically each time [at] the fat and sugar content [of food]. It’s a very specific plan." By pre-determining these actions, the "right choices" are made automatically when faced with a decision, such as standing in the food aisle. Consistent application of such pre-planned behaviors, Verplanken explains, is "extremely effective" in transforming them into ingrained routines. This strategic approach to habit formation leverages environmental design and conscious planning to foster sustainable change, making the desired behaviors the default, rather than an uphill battle. The September Reset, therefore, is not merely about adopting new habits, but about strategically cultivating an environment that supports their enduring integration into our lives, allowing us to finish the year strong and set a positive trajectory for the future.
Nakalama John
George Anjay
