Every September, I become convinced that I am one new planner, playlist, and iced vanilla latte away from having my entire life together. I’m not exactly sure what it is about fall, but something about it always makes me want to completely restart my life. This year, that feeling is even stronger since I’m starting college.
There’s always this pressure that comes with a new school year to suddenly have everything figured out. You’re supposed to get into a good routine, make friends, stay on top of your classes, and somehow still have time to enjoy yourself. I’ve definitely caught myself thinking that I need to completely change my habits now that I’m getting older.
The more I consider it, though, I don’t think I need to.
For me, a fall reset is more about making my everyday routine feel a little less like a routine. College can feel overwhelming when every day is full of things you’ve never done before, so I’ve been trying to find little moments that make everything feel a bit more familiar.
I like taking my time getting ready in the morning instead of immediately rushing out the door. I like walking to class with a song I’ve been listening to way too much. Recently, it’s been “Amoeba” by Clairo. I like coming back to my dorm room at the end of the day, turning on my fairy lights, and just having a few minutes where I don’t have anywhere else to be.
None of these things are particularly exciting, but that’s kind of the point.
I think we spend a lot of time waiting for the big moments that are supposed to make our lives feel special. We want the perfect weekend or the perfect college experience, but most of our lives are made up of pretty normal days.
Fall makes me want to actually enjoy those days.
Maybe it’s because everything feels a little cozier this time of year. The colder weather and being able to wear my favorite sweaters again somehow make even a normal walk across campus feel different. It makes me want to slow down and pay attention to things I would normally ignore.
I also think my fall reset is going to look different this year than it has before. Instead of going to the same school and talking to the same people everyday, I’m figuring things out as I go, and I’m starting to realize that I don’t have to know exactly what I’m doing yet.
So this fall, I’m not focused on trying to become a completely new version of myself. I just want to enjoy where I am right now.
I think romanticizing your routine is really just about making the ordinary parts of life feel a little more special.
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