New Season, New Habits.
I’ve been dreading writing this post all Summer, simply because it’s a sign of the times (any Harry Styles fans in the room?). It’s a sign that Fall is nearly here, Autumn is just weeks away, and I can’t help but feel an overwhelming feeling of “not yet!”.
But when I dig a little deeper, and stop getting stuck on the things I can’t control, I instead decide that this is a time to celebrate. It’s a time for opportunity; to renew, reset, readjust and realign. Because no matter what your Summer looked like (hopping through Europe for most of Instagram, it seemed), there’s a pretty good chance you might’ve slipped away from the stability and routine of your everyday habits.
Which let me be clear, is completely normal! To be fair, the way those 12 months of the year are laid out can pose a bit of a challenge, can’t it?
January comes around and you’re on fire to dig deep and crush your goals. Then comes June, and you’re well into your new ways of life, seeing the changes you’re aiming for, and feeling accomplished. But then comes Summer… and the blissful breeze of those hot summer nights makes you want to just let loose and enjoy what little time we Canadians have in the sun.
And the beauty of that space in time between the other 6 months of the year is that we deserve to have fun. We deserve to create moments of joy and let go of the strict day-to-day boxes we put ourselves in. So what I’m trying to get at here is, don’t feel guilty for enjoying life these past few months. Because let’s be honest: you deserve it.
Now, getting back on track… When it comes to implementing those aforementioned habits and routines that were once moving along smoothly, there are a few tips I’ve personally used to get back into it and refocus and renew.
1. The things that get scheduled are the things that get done
I don’t know about you, but for me, scheduling is one of the most effective ways I hold myself accountable. I can’t be the only one who feels immense amounts of pleasure in crossing off an item from my to-do list or daily schedule. So if you want to get back into your morning workouts with SWK, put it in your calendar! Set a reminder the night before so you can prepare your workout space, and just show up. That’s all it takes! Once you get it done one day, two days, three days in a row… it becomes easier and easier every time.
2. Understand your body’s needs
Summer is the season of social butterflies. When you’re saying “yes” to everything and everyone, your body’s needs tend to take a back seat. So when this new season approaches, sit down and reassess what is actually fueling you. What do you need in order to show up for yourself and get back into the routine that works best for you? If that’s not going out for dinner with friends every night, then that doesn’t make it on the schedule. If it’s waking up an hour earlier so you can plan for your day ahead and meal prep, then that does make it on the schedule. When you understand what your body is trying to tell you, you’ll be surprised in the way it shows up for you in return.
3. Hold yourself accountable
With an accountability buddy! Partnering with someone who has the same or similar goals in mind as you is a great way to push yourself to keep working towards them. Showing up to a workout class or trying out new, greener recipes with someone who is as passionate about it as you makes it more fun, more exciting, and definitely something to look forward to more. So as we dive into September’s SWK Challenge, pick a pal to join with you! Once you smash the 30 days together, you’ll be feeling stronger and more confident to take on anything else you may feel your routine is lacking.
At the end of the day, getting back into the swing of things really comes down to your mindset. You’ve done it before, you can certainly do it again. And if you’re just diving into a new routine for the first time, then you’re in the right place! These tips will help to ensure you stick with it and find success sooner than later. So bring on September, we’ve got this!
