The Return to Routine
Return to YOU instead of routine
Whelp, here it is. September has arrived with its familiar energy of getting back to business.
The lazy rhythms of summer —or in my case, the mad dash in the hottest months! — are starting to feel more distant this week.
As my fall calendar fills up, I’m noticing my typical cooler-weather routines returning:
brisk walks around the park in crisp air,
substituting my occasional americano for a dirty chai latte (fall in a cup!), and
the sound of the voice in the back of my head telling me that “September-means-back-to-school-so-you-better-get-serious.”
I don’t know how you operate, but when I see the end of a calendar year looming, my subconscious overachiever self takes over.
Before I know it I’m working harder than ever — overplanning my new website content, strategizing how to turn new whims into goals, and even reimagining my workouts so I hit that next big Peloton milestone and get my name called out on the leaderboard before the end of the year. iykyk
It takes deliberate, conscious effort to remember that I don’t want to be that overachieving, hustle-human I once was. Especially not one who’s on autopilot and conditioned to produce and perform rather than decide and intentionally deliver.
Presence takes daily practice.
To practice presence and not just fall back into the fall routines of old, I’ve been asking myself this question:
What if this fall, I only returned to the routines and commitments that actually align with who I am becoming?
Seasonal transitions allow us to notice our own moments of transition, too.
Just taking that pause — and allowing myself to reflect upon who I’m becoming — has helped me recognize where I’ve changed and shifted this year. It’s also helped me realize that I need to continue to carve out intentional time to grow and evolve in the ways that are meaningful to me, and to the communities that are important to me.
Maybe this September is an opportunity to curate a return to noticing and observing ourselves and how we want to show up in the world, rather than continue with the same patterns and routines.
This doesn’t mean we throw out all structure or change what is working. It means we spend the time to be intentional with what we invite back into our lives.
What if you’ve changed?
What if something fundamental has shifted in how you want to move through the world?
What if instead of automatically resuming everything, we all asked,
Does this still fit?
Does this make sense for who I am now?
Does this align with my values and who I'm becoming?
As we head into fall, maybe this is the sacred work of this season — honoring who we've become while navigating the pull to return to old patterns.
If you’re feeling the tension between the different versions of yourself, or looking for intentional space to rediscover who you are now, or ready to realign your routines with your authentic self, I’d love to help if it feels aligned.
As a decades-long coach and advisor — both in my corporate career and in my own business — I know how important it is to have a guide with practical tools, reflective questions, and intentional insights to witness and help navigate what’s next.
I’m shifting back into this work because I love helping people rediscover themselves, be who they really are, make meaningful progress, and live more freely and intentionally.
Reach out if you want to explore working together.
I'd love to hear about what’s changing for you and how I can support you in making this fall feel intentional instead of automatic.
xox, Michelle
P.S. If you want to read a little more about how I’m shifting my work and supporting clients, revisit this August post here.
Thanks to the incredible Britt of HQ for this photo!
Want to explore how to work together? I do identity work. Whether you are looking to rediscover who you are now, realign and strategize a way forward, or want to reclaim your voice and show up in the world, I can help. Yes, this still includes brand content (which I love!) and business and life strategy. Everything touches — and I am here to support you in making meaningful progress.
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Be who you are. Lead with curiosity & love. The world will respond.
