Life transitions happen all the time - the changing of seasons from warmer days to slightly cooler ones (or, vice versa), start of a new term (maybe, a new school) and perhaps the start of a new chapter for you with a different job role, welcoming a baby or a house move.
While it might stir up excitement, it can also bring about some feelings of overwhelm and one may carry the weight of the mental load. One thing that's really helped me (once I have finished procrastinating) is to sit for 10 minutes, find a pen and scribbled down things from my head onto a page. There's such a sense of relief to pour those thoughts onto paper, and perhaps that's the encouragement you need to reset with a few simple ideas.
Here are some ways I am trying to gift myself mental clarity so that I can enjoy these transitional moments with a little more joy so that it's a little less jarring.
Spend a few moments praying
Consider praying for gratitude and guidance. My prayer life is inconsistent at best, but when I do pray, its such a wonderful way to connect with the Lord, seek His ways and re-orientate myself for the change ahead.
Tell others in your home what you need
Perhaps you need 15 minutes of quiet, alone time - so let them know just that. Sometimes I think its helpful to let others know what you need. Everyone can't be a mind reader so communicate with loved ones around you. This way you've given yourself a set time period to get one thing out the way and others know how they can help you - give them their favourite toys to play with, let your spouse take the kiddos out for a walk or ask them to stay away from a room you'll sit in.
Choose one thing to do
I think our overwhelm can come from doing too many things in a short space of time and feeling despondent because we didn't do it all. I am guilty of this! So, pick something - a grocery list, appointments, important dates, meal plan ideas, lunch box snack options, decluttering a counter or drawer, or admin tasks - and just do the one thing, do it well and you'll feel a little less overwhelmed.
Make it enjoyable
Sometimes we don't want to do tackle something because it's too boring or unpleasant. Why not ease the struggle with a delicious drink, some music or perhaps light a candle to add a little romanticism to an otherwise tedious task?
Try writing it down
I know, I know. We have many digital devices that can assist us but there's just something special about processing something when writing it by hand. Get a cute journal, a notepad or even just a sheet of printer paper. Write it as a list or a mind map to get it out of your head and through your hands.
Set a future date to revisit your reset
Maybe it's once a day for a daily task, a weekly date or a monthly check-in to help keep the momentum going. Once you've set a gentle rhythm you'll enjoy a reliable system to manage a small nagging area in your life.
Celebrate your reset with a little reward
It doesn't have to be fancy, but mark your step towards clarity with a solo walk, a coffee meet up with a friend or a screen-free meal together with loved ones to connect and share something that you brought you joy that day.
A seasonal reset doesn't have to be a massive overhaul - it can be organising a small area that feels long overdue, or a 10 minute brain dump to get those swirling thoughts out in front of you. Try one of these reset ways and enjoy the mental clarity you gift yourself.