We Should All be Embracing Back to School Season

I haven't been in school since...well, it's been a while. When the end of summer rolls around for me these days, I'm focused on getting my kids ready for a new start.

But this year, I've decided to embrace the back-to-school season myself and I'm inviting you to do the same. At the end of the day, back-to-school season is just what it sounds like: A whole season. It's not just about the actual return to the academic year; it's about a fresh start, and I think we could all use that no matter how old we are (or how long it's been since we've set foot in a classroom).

The other obvious fresh start in the calendar comes at the beginning of the year...but on the heels of the holiday season and when it's freezing cold outside? Who really wants to commit to a fresh start then?

I've written here about why I tend to be anti New Years resolutions, and I've also written about how treating spring as the start of the new year might be a better option. Now, I have a new approach: What if we treated both the spring and the fall as our chances for minor reset? That way, instead of piling all the pressure on one time of year, we get to spread out of chances for newness.

Embracing back-to-school season can look any number of ways: We can implement a new system, we can clean out our homes, we can set a new goal...the beauty is, without the pressure of self improvement that looms over January 1, we get to make the rules for ourselves here.

Here's how I plan on embracing back-to-school season for myself:

• Refreshing my meal containers. I'll be tossing anything that's completely worn and incorporating a few new finds (these look great, and I love the variety of sizes).

• Implementing a midday walk. This summer, I've walked twice a day: First in the mornings, and then while my husband is putting our kids to bed. But as the days get shorter and it gets dark earlier, I'm putting a new routine in place. Having an intentional start to this new routine isn't totally necessary, but I'm excited to see how a midday walk works with my schedule.

• Treating myself to some easy fall staples. You know I live for a matching set, and this long sleeved version is perfect for cooler temps, while this sweatshirt paired with these shorts gives Princess Diana vibes.

• Embracing the notebook. ...Or at least trying to. I took on a new volunteer role at my kids' school and want to try physically writing down things I need to remember in a notebook. We'll see how long it lasts, but eventually, I'd love to go back to being a physical planner/notebook person.

• Finally donating the pile of items that's accumulating in my house. Can someone hold me to this? Please?