September Reset: Finding My Balance in the Back-to-School Rush

Every year, September sneaks up on me. One minute it’s lazy summer evenings and ice cream cones, the next it’s alarm clocks, packed lunches, and school runs. Even though I’m not the one sitting in a classroom, the back-to-school season always shifts my rhythm. It’s exciting, but let’s be honest, it’s also a little overwhelming.

I think a lot of us feel the same. Suddenly, we’re expected to juggle it all: early mornings, school drop-offs, after-school activities, full workdays, and still somehow making time for dinner, housework, and maybe even a moment to breathe.

Here’s how I’ve been navigating the September chaos and maybe some of this will help you too.

Building a Routine (That Actually Works)

Summer has this wonderful “go with the flow” vibe, but once September hits, I need structure or everything falls apart. I’ve started blocking out my days on a shared calendar: work hours, school pickups, meal prep, even downtime. Seeing it all laid out makes it easier to keep track and helps my family know what to expect.

Virtual Assistant Tip:

Colour code everything, school stuff in blue, work in green, me-time in yellow. It’s oddly satisfying and instantly makes your calendar readable at a glance.

The Magic of Sunday Planning

One little ritual that saves me: Sunday prep. I spend half an hour looking at the week ahead, setting work priorities, and making sure we’ve got what’s needed for school. It feels small, but it makes Monday mornings so much smoother. No more last-minute scrambles for PE kit or forgotten school letters (Thankfully there are less of them for me now!)

Virtual Assistant Tip:

Keep a “Sunday Prep Checklist” on your phone. I have one that includes lunches, snacks, work deadlines etc. Checking things off feels like a tiny victory parade.

Remembering Myself in the Mix

Here’s the part I’m guilty of skipping: self-care. It’s easy to put everyone else first and end up running on empty. Lately, I’ve been trying to carve out tiny moments for myself… a walk after drop-off, a quiet cup of coffee before emails, even just ten minutes to sit in silence.

Virtual Assistant Tip:

Schedule “mini-me-time” like a meeting. If it’s on the calendar, it’s less likely to be ignored.

Delegating (and Letting Go)

This one took me a while to learn: I don’t have to do everything myself. Kids can pack their own lunches, a partner can take a turn with drop-off, and some of those repetitive admin tasks? That’s exactly why I’m here as a virtual assistant. Freeing up those bits of energy makes a huge difference.

Virtual Assistant Tip:

Make a “Delegate List.” Everything you normally do that someone else could tackle goes on it. You might be surprised how much can be handed off.

Celebrating the Good Stuff

In the middle of the chaos, try to pause for the sweet moments. For you, it could be the first-day-of-school photos, although with two teenagers, this no longer happens for me! Checking something big off my work list. These little wins matter, and they deserve to be noticed.

Virtual Assistant Tip:

Keep a “September Wins” note. Jot down even tiny victories; they’ll remind you that you’re rocking it, even when it feels hectic.

September might be busy, but it’s also full of fresh starts. A chance to reset, reframe, and remind ourselves that balance isn’t about doing it all, it’s about finding what works for right now.

So here’s to juggling it all, dropping a few balls along the way, and still enjoying the ride. And if you’re feeling the September overwhelm, know you’re not alone. Let’s tackle it together - one school lunch, one work task, one small win at a time.