September Is The New January 🥂 🍾

January is a scam and I’ve got the receipts. The real fresh start? September. 

Hi, it’s your friend Eva, and today we’re talking about why September is the new January — but without the toxic pressure and ‘new year, new me’ nonsense. 

Think about it: January is cold, dark, you’re broke from the holidays, and you’re still mad at your second cousin for what he said over dinner, he’s an idiot. Yet somehow, you’re supposed to meal plan, exercise, wake up at 5 a.m., journal, do a no-spend challenge, and save $4,000 before Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Really? No wonder by January 4th, you’re under your desk, clutching Xanax, vodka, or both — no judgment here. 

January is the worst month to start anything. I’m here to tell you a secret that will change everything, January is a lie. The real new year, the one that makes sense, it’s September. 

This past January I realized that January failed us. Of course, I made all the usual resolutions and set myself up for failure, like I do ever January.  

Resolution 1 – lose weight and exercise. I wanted to lose 10 lbs, I have just 15 more to go. 

The No Spend Challenge. You will see in January all of the no spend challenge videos. I also fell for it. Mine was a complete disaster. It didn’t help that my son and I both got sick in during the month. It was awful, not just being sick but feeling like a complete loser for having to go to Staples because we needed notepads. 

I’m in the northeast, January is cold, dark and depressing. I think would do ok in one of those areas where it’s dark for 24 hours. You know you’re waking up tomorrow and it’s going to be dark. You’re going to work, it’s dark. There’s a comfort and consistency in that.  

When you get those few precious hours of sunlight, it’s like some horrible tease. It’s good for hibernation not motivation. 

The good old post-holiday slump. By this point, I’m financially and emotionally exhausted. Now I’m supposed to wake up all bright eyed and bushy tailed ready to start 14 new healthy habits? Really, I just want to relax and decompress.  

So instead of torturing ourselves in January, let’s take back our reset button — and move it to September. 

Here’s my case for September.  

Do you remember the 21 of September? I always do because that’s my bff’s birthday. 

That back-to-school feeling. Even if you’re no longer a student or have kids. That feeling is ingrained in us. It feels like we’re starting something new. It’s like a psychological reset button. A fresh start. It’s like a collective, almost primal instinct. Or is that just me??? Let me know in the comments. 

The weather. I love all the seasons. I don’t think I could ever live in an area with1 or 2 seasons. I like all 4.  

September is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s get our act together, but like… gently.’ The air is crisp, the sun is still out, I feel more productive. 

New TV season and Routines. It’s the new TV season. Our routines become more structured after a relaxed summer. We move into a natural rhythm. We’re ready to tackle new goals. 

Do you want to join me on my September Resolution Challenge? Remember, we’re not extreme here. The resolution has to be manageable, not make you feel overwhelmed, and it has to enhance your life. 

Here are some ideas: 

Read 1 book a month. Bonus points if you get it from the library. 

Learn 1 new recipe each month. Feeling ambitious? 2 in a month. 

Walk for 15 minutes every day. The weather is great. Go enjoy it. 

Journal once a week. Not every day at 5am. 

Review your budget 

Bring your lunch to work. 

What other normal things can we do? 

The truth is, success doesn’t come from one magical “New Year, New Me”. It comes from deciding to taking a good look at your life and making the changes you feel are best for you.  

September is a fresh start, it’s the universe reminding you that you get a do-over. 

So this year, let's skip the miserable January start. Let's embrace the magic of September. The leaves are changing, the air is crisp, and the possibilities are endless. The real new year is already here. What will you do with it?