Do You Need A September Reset?

Even as adults, September always feels like a fresh start. We may not be buying new pencil cases and shining our shoes for the next school year, but that nostalgic feeling of new beginnings lingers from childhood. It’s a time for getting back into a routine after the summer holidays, clearing out our homes, shifting into autumn mode, and setting goals as we gear up for the final four months of the year – AKA, doing a September reset.

The concept has gained traction on TikTok recently, and Google searches are up 1376 percent, so clearly lots of us are ready to harness that back-to-school energy. ‘September is one of the most powerful times to pause and reset,’ says wellbeing practitioner Frédéric Roscop, who also founded biotech company AEQUIL. ‘It marks the bridge between the intensity of summer and the slower rhythm of autumn – and our bodies are asking for restoration.’

He also points out that, while summer brings many joys, it can also have a hidden impact on our health: ‘heat and sweat deplete our minerals, bites – from mosquitoes to ticks – both felt and unseen, challenge our immunity, travel and late nights strain the liver, and even sun exposure leaves behind inflammation for the body to process.’ 

But how can we tap into the trend without feeling like we need to revamp our whole lives? We asked the experts how to have our most positive and productive autumn yet.

September Reset: How To Start Autumn Feeling Fresh

Notice negative micro-habits 

Self-help expert and author Tam Kaur suggests a three-pronged approach to the September reset. The first step, she says, is self-awareness. ‘I recommend taking a few days to live your life exactly as you normally would, but with heightened observation. Watch your habits closely. Notice what distracts you, what throws off your momentum? When do you procrastinate, and why?’ 

Once you’ve worked out the micro-habits that are holding you back, it’s time to build structure to help you make small changes. ‘Use tools like habit trackers, calendars, or even simple checklists to build out your days,’ Kaur advises. ‘If you have a plan for exactly what you’re going to do each morning, you’re less likely to fall into mindless scrolling, for example.’

Declutter your digital space

Many of us will feel inspired to do a big September clean of our homes (more on that below), but what about our digital spaces? Kaur’s third step is to clean up your social media profiles, unfollowing any accounts that ‘make you feel like you’re falling behind or constantly comparing yourself.’ Instead, look for creators who motivate you and make you feel happy. ‘Social media should energise and inspire, not drain or discourage you like it often does,’ notes Kaur.

Introduce simple, new healthy habits

Rather than setting unachievable and dramatic goals, go back to basics with your wellness routine, suggests Roscop. ‘Cleanse and nourish with mineral-rich foods, hydrate deeply, support circulation with gentle movement, and re-establish daily rhythm through sleep, balanced meals and moments of pause.’ 

Pilates teacher and integrative nutrition coach Paola Langella agrees that sleep should be a primary focus this month. ‘This will enable you to feel more energetic, improve your mood, and lower cortisol levels,’ she says. ‘A good sleep routine is to aim to go to bed at roughly the same time each night – try some gentle yoga before going to sleep to improve digestion if you suffer from insomnia.’

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Reset your morning routine

Keen to up your productivity this autumn? Now could be the time to create a new morning routine. The name to know here is Mel Robbins: a motivational speaker who went viral for her six-step formula to start your day right. ‘How you set up your day is typically how it ends up,’ says Robbins. ‘I love my morning routine so much that I call it the Million Dollar Morning, because it makes me feel like a million bucks for the rest of my day – and it creates a level of discipline in my life that helps me make millions of dollars too.’

While the full monty might take a bit of getting used to (step one is getting up five seconds after your alarm goes off), why not try and integrate one of her tips into your morning? From making your bed first thing to drinking water before caffeine, each step is backed by science.

Do a big home clean

Nothing says reset like blitzing your home. Catherine Green, a cleaning expert at smol, suggests trying to tick off one useful thing each day for a week. ‘September’s here, and it’s the perfect excuse to give your home a gentle reset,’ she says. ‘Not a full-scale overhaul, just a few small wins each day that leave everything feeling lighter, fresher and more autumn-ready.’ This could include wiping down all the often-neglected surfaces and switches, like door handles and remote controls, decluttering a cupboard, rotating pillows and duvets (‘it helps them wear evenly and air out after a hot summer’), and deep cleaning the fridge.

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Start meal prepping

A fridge full of neatly prepped tupperware screams September. But it’s not all smoke and mirrors: meal prepping has been scientifically proven to encourage healthier eating habits, as well as saving you time and money. One study of French adults from 2017, for instance, found meal planning was associated with a healthier and more varied diet, and may even help prevent obesity.

‘The benefits of cooking more than you need for one meal can’t be overstated,’ notes nutritionist Lara Isaac. ‘Preparing enough food to tide you over for lunch the next day (and even a few weeknight evenings if you freeze extra portions) will make it far easier to stick to your healthy eating plan.’

Langella recommends viewing meal prep as a ‘zen ritual’ rather than a chore: dedicate a day to it, and create a weekly meal plan focused on a balanced plate (healthy carbs, proteins, veggies and healthy fats). She suggests cooking grains like quinoa, brown rice and buckwheat in bulk at the beginning of the week, alongside proteins like chicken breasts or fish, and roasting large batches of roasted vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes and courgettes (‘these can be easily reheated or added to salads’). Keep nuts, seeds and dark chocolate in small containers to snack on, and slice fresh vegetables ready to have with some dip if you’re looking for something to eat mid-afternoon while working from home.