Finding Strength in September Change

September has a certain energy about it. The long, light days of summer fade, and the air begins to carry a cooler edge. Trees prepare to shed their leaves, and the pace of life shifts as children return to school, routines restart, and workplaces seem to regain momentum after the quieter holiday months. For some, September feels fresh and full of opportunity. For others, it brings unease, anxiety, or sadness.

This duality makes September a powerful metaphor for our own mental health journeys. Just as the seasons turn, our emotional lives shift too. We experience highs and lows, energy and exhaustion, joy and grief. And just as nature embraces change without resistance, there is something we can learn about accepting and moving through our own struggles.

The Pressure of a “New Season”

In many ways, September feels like a second “New Year.” Diaries fill, schools reopen, and there’s often pressure (spoken or unspoken) to get organised, start fresh, or “get back on track.” If you’re already navigating mental health challenges, this expectation can feel overwhelming.

You might notice:

• Anxiety rising as routines change

• Pressure to “do more” when energy levels are already low

• Sadness or worry about darker days ahead.

  
  

If this is your experience, you are not alone. Many people find September hard. It doesn’t mean you’re failing; it means you’re human, responding naturally to transition and pressure.

One of the most comforting lessons from September is the reminder that change is part of life. Trees don’t cling desperately to their leaves; they let go when the time is right. Nature trusts its own rhythm and we can, too.

Mental health struggles often make us feel stuck, as though things will never shift. Yet September shows us that nothing is permanent. Feelings, like seasons, come and go. Some days may feel heavier, but with care and support, lighter days will return.

Gentle Practices for September

During times of struggle, it helps to focus on small, sustainable steps. Grand resolutions can feel intimidating, especially when energy is low. September invites us to slow down, reflect, and take care. Here are a few gentle practices that may help:

• Create small, steady routines: Simple rituals like making a cup of tea at the same time each morning or taking a short walk after lunch can anchor your day.

• Notice the season: Spending even five minutes outdoors, observing the changes around you, can be grounding.

• Allow feelings space: Just as we expect the weather to vary, we can expect our emotions to shift. Allowing sadness, anxiety, or tiredness to exist, without judgement, often eases their weight.

• Practice letting go: Ask yourself, “What am I holding onto that I no longer need?” It might be self-criticism, old comparisons, others' opinions or unrealistic expectations.

• Reach out: September can feel isolating, but connection is a powerful antidote. Talking to a friend, loved one, or therapist can lighten the load.

One of the gifts of September is its reminder that comfort can be created, even in change. We pull out warmer clothes, light candles, and cook heartier meals. These small acts are more than practical; they are signals to our nervous system that we are safe and cared for.

In the same way, creating your own sources of comfort, through routines, sensory comforts, or meaningful connections, can make mental health struggles feel a little softer.

Reaching Out for Support

September can highlight struggles that may have been quieter over summer. If you notice your mood dipping, your anxiety rising, or daily life feeling harder to manage, it’s important to know you don’t have to go through it alone. Therapy can offer a safe space to explore what you’re feeling, develop coping strategies, and reconnect with your own strength.

Taking that first step may feel daunting, but reaching out is not weakness, it’s courage.

Please remember to be gentle with yourself, you don’t have to hold on tightly to everything. Trust that rest, letting go, and change are all part of the journey. Just as September carries us steadily into autumn, you too can move through this season with care, support, and hope.