Written by Mikayla Hunt-Tereikis
Published Sep 02, 2026 | 4 minute read
Key Takeaways
January gets most of the attention, but it isn’t the only time of year you can reset and renew.
Research on what’s known as the “fresh start effect” suggests that temporal landmarks—such as the beginning of the week, month, school semester or year—can motivate people to pursue new goals and positive habits. In other words, you don’t need to wait for the new year to set resolutions.
Here’s how to harness the season’s fresh-start energy thoughtfully by updating routines, organizing your priorities and making intentional decisions about your wellness, finances and personal growth.
Before setting new goals, take stock of where you are today. Start by evaluating the following:
Notice what feels energizing, what feels draining and where the same problems keep cropping up. A useful reset begins with an honest baseline, not an idealized version of your schedule.
“January resets are built on obligation while September resets are built on rhythm,” says Tara Saxon, a certified money coach. “January asks you to transform your life when you’re exhausted, overspent and recovering from the holidays. But September carries that back-to-school energy most of us absorbed during our childhood.”
Once you know where you stand, look at the routines shaping your day-to-day life. That may include your morning and evening habits, workout schedule, meal planning or the way your household calendar runs.
Can any of these routines be refined or improved? Are there unstructured areas of your life that could benefit from a good routine?
Consider:
A fresh environment can support fresh habits, while a cluttered desk, overfilled closet or disorganized kitchen can increase stress, cause decision fatigue and slow down everyday tasks.
Focus on the spaces you use most, such as:
Start by getting rid of anything that no longer serves you, then decide whether a storage solution—think bins, baskets, drawer organizers and label makers—or a home upgrade could help with the rest.
If you’re planning a larger home organization project, financing options can help you spread the cost over time.
READ MORE: Creative and Affordable Ways To Organize Your Home
Summer activities like vacations, more social outings and changing schedules can disrupt healthy habits. Fall is a practical time to check in on:
Focus on a few sustainable improvements that fit your existing (or new and improved) routines. Going to bed at a consistent time, adding two workouts each week or preparing a few healthy meals in advance may have greater long-term impact than an ambitious plan that’s difficult to maintain.
READ MORE: Get More: Peace of Mind
Financial wellness deserves a seasonal check-in, too. Review your recent spending, measure your progress toward savings goals, evaluate high-interest debt and cancel subscriptions or recurring charges you no longer use.
“Most people don’t need an entire financial overhaul,” says Michael McAuliffe, president and founder of the nonprofit Family Credit Management. “Start by determining what you’re actually spending versus what you think you’re spending. One easy way to do this is to pull your last two or three months of bank and credit card statements and look at them honestly.”
READ MORE: How To Reset Your Money in 10 Minutes
Fall is also a good time to prepare for the financial decisions and deadlines that come with the end of the year. Review items such as:
READ MORE: Your Legacy Check-In: Beneficiaries, Trusted Contacts and Family Updates
An intentional investment supports a goal you’ve identified—that’s the difference between impulse spending and purposeful spending. It might be a home-office upgrade you’ll use daily, fitness equipment that aligns with your wellness objective or an educational course tied to a specific skill.
Before a larger purchase, ask yourself:
Explore rewards, deals and promotional financing options available when you are planning a purchase. The key is to use these tools intentionally, not as a reason to spend more than you otherwise would.
READ MORE: Tips To Save for 5 Key Milestones in Life
Remember: January doesn’t have to be your only opportunity for a fresh start. The routines you build, the goals you set and the decisions you make this fall can create meaningful momentum for the months ahead.
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Mikayla Hunt-Tereikis is a journalist and freelance writer. She is the lifestyle/culture editor at SHEEN Magazine and has covered culture, wellness and lifestyle for brands and publications including Real Simple, Poosh and Town Magazine.
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