09/04/2026
September has a way of changing everything at once. Back to school. Maybe this means back-to-school shopping heaviness. Maybe the dread of making lunches is unbearable. You’re going back to a more predictable work week, but that means new routines, new schedules, and new expectations.
Suddenly, the slower pace of summer is gone.
For some people, that transition can bring a much bigger reaction than they expect. You might feel anxious, irritable, overwhelmed or completely unprepared, even if nothing “bad” is actually happening.
Sometimes it’s the uncertainty of doing something you’ve never done before. Other times, it’s knowing exactly what’s coming and remembering how hard it felt last time.
Try not to mistake discomfort for danger. Change can feel scary without actually being unsafe, and that feeling won’t last forever.
Give yourself time to find your footing in the new normal.
