8 tips for a calm and peaceful back-to-business season

Let’s not waste time! It’s back-to-business season. You’re probably busy, you’ve got a lot on your plate, so let’s get straight to it: here are my 8 tips for a serene and relaxed September reset.

1. Stay realistic

I know this might be a little buzzkill in your back-to-business boost, but here’s the truth: it’s just the start of the new season! Days still only have 24 hours, and weeks don’t have an extra day (yet!). So even if you’re full of energy and ready to launch new projects, build new habits, or add new routines into your life... take the time to look at how much time and energy you really have available. That’s what will help you decide how much you can realistically take on.

2. Get clarity

It might sound simple, but clarity and visibility are your best allies for staying calm and grounded. Moving forward without knowing (or seeing) where you’re going is the best way to lose your footing halfway there.

So before diving headfirst into your back-to-business to-do list, take a pause. Reflect on your intentions for this new season: your goals, priorities, non-negotiables, and obligations.

Try to identify which periods in the coming months might feel heavier or lighter so you can organize accordingly.

3. Set priorities

I’m not against a to-do list (though there are many other ways to organize your life — maybe a topic for another article?).But a chaotic list where everything gets mixed together? Useless.

It’s essential to prioritize your tasks, for two main reasons:

• First, it helps you avoid the “Where do I even start?” spiral. You can organize your list by deadline, importance, effort required, or time needed. Find the logic that works for you and start there.

• Second, it keeps you from feeling completely thrown off when something new comes up. You’ll know exactly where to slot it in, and you’ll stay on track, feeling calm and focused.

4. Know how you function, and respect it

So many people ride the back-to-business motivation wave at full speed… only to crash a few weeks later, counting the days until their next vacation. Don’t fall into that trap.

Learn your rhythm, your energy peaks, your needs in terms of rest, your essentials (those little things that are non-negotiable for your peace of mind). That’s what will help you stay consistent over the long term, working toward your goals while staying balanced and fulfilled, both at work and at home.

And if the way you function looks a bit different from others? That’s okay!Maybe it’s time we all start normalizing not fitting the mold, right?

✨ If you’d like to get to know yourself better, discover my free Clarity Workbook — a gentle, practical guide to reconnect with yourself, your vision, and your next aligned action in just 30 minutes.

5. Communicate

Back-to-school season often brings a lot of changes: new schedules, new routines, maybe new priorities, both at home and at work. Take the time to communicate with the people you share your daily life with. At work or at home, let them know (within your comfort level) about your priorities, how you manage your energy, your obligations, boundaries, and needs. If something’s changed, people can’t guess. And even if everything’s the same as last year, a little reminder never hurts to start off on the right foot.

6. Plan some time to take care of yourself

Yes, it’s time to get back into rhythm, back to work, back into routine… But if you want that rhythm to last without burnout, you have to make time to rest and recharge.

Beyond physical needs (sleep, food, hydration), make space for what truly nourishes you. Think about the things that clear your mind, soothe your emotions, and refill your inner cup.

Your Monday lunchtime workout, your Tuesday evening yoga class, your Friday dinner with friends... if these are what help you stay grounded and joyful, don’t push them aside at the first unexpected event. You have the right to set boundaries and prioritize what keeps you balanced. By protecting those moments, you’re also telling yourself, “I matter.”

To integrate new habits that support your goals while staying balanced and serene, explore my coaching programs.

7. Give yourself time

You’re settling into a new rhythm, a new organization, maybe even new responsibilities. So give yourself time to adjust, to find what works, what doesn’t, and to shape a routine that supports you without burning you out. You’ve probably heard that it takes 21 days to form a habit. That number might be arbitrary, but the message is true: give your brain time to move from new to natural. Let your body and mind adapt, it’s a process.

8. Declutter

I saved this one for last because it’s one of the most powerful things you can do when starting a new cycle. Visual clutter creates mental clutter. When your desk is buried under four months of paperwork, your couch half-covered in laundry, and you can’t see your kitchen counter anymore… there's a good chance your mind feels exactly the same way!

For a calm, fresh start, begin by clearing space. Tidy your workspace, simplify the areas where you rest (your bedroom, your living room), and clean the rooms where you nourish and care for yourself (your kitchen and bathroom). When everything has its place, your brain stops sending constant “reminder signals” of unfinished tasks.

And to be clear, I’m not saying to shove everything into a drawer and ignore it! Make lists, organize, and plan to handle what needs handling. Just try to reduce those constant visual reminders. Your mind will feel lighter, and you’ll approach this new cycle with so much more serenity. Never underestimate the power of a clean, simple, organized space.

I hope these simple, practical tips bring a little more calm into your back-to-business season. Let me know what you think in the comments or over on Instagram!