Stop the lists!

What is it about September that conjures up thoughts of new beginnings? Yes, the Back To School signs have been in the shops for weeks. It seems as soon as the poor kids are off school for the summer, the shops remind them the blissful free days away from a timetable will soon be done and dusted. The earliest I’ve ever noticed them was the weekend after the summer term had ended! And as my life revolved around the academic year for such a long time. A new start in September was normal.

Usually at this time of year, I’d get a new lease of life with plans for the new academic year. And after teaching, it was the same. I’d create an action plan to take me through the next few months. Not this year. Instead, I’m having an embargo on to do lists, actions, outcomes, whatever you call it and go with the simple mantra, ‘Make each moment count.’

And that doesn’t mean endless inaction or the opposite. If the day feels like a time for reading, I’m going to choose to read and not get hung up on a new 1000 word a day challenge. I am, however, aiming to wrote 750 words a day of the next novel, but I will not be a slave to it. I’m also experimenting with posting more on Instagram, but the post needs to be meaningful and not another image of food/coffee/ beaches/ covers of books, mantras or funny dogs.

This more laid-back approach doesn’t mean an absence of reflection. Going over the day’s events first thing in the morning or last thing at night is hugely beneficial, especially when embarking on a new work in progress. The important thing is to reflect with purpose; what could I have done differently? What can I do tomorrow? How would it be if….

So this autumn, I’m going with the flow.

I’ll try a few things, reflect and move on. And if nothing happens, it doesn’t matter. There’s always a new start…in January.