Happy New Year (in September) ✨

For me, the first of September is my true New Year. Each fall feels like more of a fresh start than January 1st ever could.

I love when summer slowly fades into autumn the colors turning golden, the darker evenings inviting candles and cozy evenings by the fireplace. This is the season for setting new goals, fresh visions and hopeful lists of wishes. A time of new beginnings and possibilities.

Since I usually take a long (and late) summer vacation, I often return to work just as my colleagues are already full speed ahead with ideas and plans. Normally, that means I run to catch up. But not this year.

Nope! No rocket launch, no sprinting, no big kick-off, no fireworks.

This fall, I don’t want to launch myself into the season like a rocket. Instead, I want to glide. Gently. With the feeling of summer still lingering. An ice cream in one hand, sun in my eyes and a soft smile. I’ll meet work and everyday life with energy and joy, but not by pushing too hard.

My plan is to carry some summer habits with me into fall like a slow cup of tea without multitasking, gentle morning yoga that doesn’t need to be long or intense or meals outdoors for as long as the weather allows.

Somewhere between all the summer days with the kids, a thought started to take shape. When traveling with kids, there’s always the risk that their energy fades halfway through an activity. That’s when we as parents need something up our sleeve. A little game, a snack or even a silly prank. Just to give them that extra boost to make it all the way.

This summer, I’ve gathered my own energy through sunshine, long nights of sleep, travel and time with loved ones. But once everyday life sets in, I know I’ll need those extra boosts too. And since I can’t count on my mom to swoop in with the fix anymore, I’ve prepared a few of my own power-ups to keep up my sleeve.

• Books – I love reading, mostly belles-lettres that can transport me to a completely different world.
• The ocean – This “year” I’m bringing back an old habit, swimming in the sea at least once every month for a whole year.
• Movement – Making time for training and movement is a priority. It always gives so much back to me.
• Loved ones – I’m lucky to have so many amazing people in my life and spending time with them always fills me with energy.
• Enjoyment – Adding a little sparkle to each day, big or small. It could be a meditation or like today, sitting in the sun with a glass of bubbles while writing this vibe.
• Creativity – My never-ending source of energy. When I let my creativity flow, something inside wakes up. It doesn’t matter whether it’s building a table like I did this summer, teaching yoga, working with fabric or macramé, writing, creating websites or taking photos. But since everyday life can easily take over, I need to make sure I choose it deliberately.

As both a freelance developer and a freelance yoga teacher, it’s not always easy to draw clear lines between who I am as a person and the work I do. The two roles constantly influence each other shaping my time, energy, creativity and vision. And since I’m lucky enough to not only be challenged by my work but also truly love what I do, it becomes even more important to have a plan to keep everything in balance.

At the end of the day, happiness is the measure that matters most. Everything else is just details.