“Falling” Into Your Autumn Work Routine
Fall is here, and for most of us that means crisp, cool mornings and pumpkin spice flavored, well, everything. However, it also means the end of summer, which may mean the return to work after a vacation-filled frolic for many of us, or just a return to more “heavy” workloads, as corporate “summer fridays” end and the world seems to spin at a faster, holidays-are-coming-up induced pace. If this is your case (like it is mine), this one’s for you.
Fall can be a time of immense joy and fun activities for all. Don’t let yourself get too bogged down in “business” to miss out on the good bits!
“Falling” into a sustainable routine this autumn
Recently, I started my new “day-job” (my career as an SEO Content Strategist, which has been my 9-5 for nearly 5 years now), and it’s been, well, an adjustment. I began my new job the day after Labor Day, which signified the unofficial end of summer and, thus, the start of a season of “hustle”. This job was moving up in title and pay for me, which means, well, more work, but ultimately it’s been well worth it so far.
That said, though, my acting lessons, intramural activities, concerts, and other things have also picked back up, which means my life has been thrown into overdrive. Meanwhile, I’m also picking up more “side-hustle” work (in addition to just running this blog), and creating content for more, varied websites, shooting some podcasts, picking up some modeling jobs, and the like. SO, with all that said— how do you “fall” into a sustainable routine and stay well, focused, and healthy (physically and mentally) when things get a little crazy? I don’t know about you, but here’s what I do—
Take walking meetings. Your health should be among your top priorities (if not your top priority, overall), and if you’re bogged down with meetings but find one you can just listen into (that you don’t have to speak on as much, etc.), why not take a walking meeting? Put your headphones in, get some steps in, and take in the fresh air while you listen to your meeting from your phone and take a moment to stretch your legs and move your body. It’s a small change that can make a HUGE difference in the end.
Don’t overdo it. No matter how busy things get, this is a great time of year to take time for yourself and your friends and family and set aside some dedicated time to do things you enjoy. Turn those notifications off on your phone for a couple hours this weekend or whenever your work schedule allows, and just tune out for a while.
If you’re able, take a “stay-cation” nearby. My friends and I are big fans of getting a cabin just an hour or less away from home for a random weekend and just staying there, splitting the cost, and hanging out away from it all. Even the closest and cheapest “stay-cations” can feel like a mental reset, and if you’re able to do it, why not go for it?
Fuel your body with nutritious things, and indulge when you want to! This is a great season for food and drink, y’all. Fall means more pumpkin, yes, but it also means more hot apple cider, baked goods, Halloween candy, and a plethora of seasonal fruits and veggies to create a nice balance of nutritious, seasonal meals with fun, seasonal treats. Care for your body by feeding it well, and indulge in those yummy fall favorites from time to time— as a PA resident, I know apple cider donuts are actively calling my name this October, and I’m not mad about it, TBH!
All this and more are things you can do to keep yourself sane (and refreshed) during the busier fall season. Try to find balance in everything you do— focusing your routine on your wellbeing first, then your obligations second. At the end of the day you have to take care of you, or else you’re not going to be able to get much done at all (and you’ll ultimately burn yourself out in the end).
So, what do you do to stay sane and get into a sustainable routine when work picks up in the fall? Let’s discuss—
Xoxo, MM.