Like many of us bookish/academic types - I love September for the 'back to school/new academic year vibes'.
I saw someone online liken September to 'our new year' and as a better time to reset and reconnect with our goal than in January.
I certainly need this kind of energy reset and outlook.
After missing my pre-order deadline and doing the hand-break turn that is 'mum life' back to 'writer life' during the school day in August, I really need some time to gather my thoughts and double down on what it is I want September - and the remainder of 2025 - to look and feel like.
Create more, consume less.
The headline is that I want - and need - to be focusing on creating more - and consuming less. Much less. In all areas of my life.
If you are like me and feeling a bit overwhelmed at the thought of getting your ducks back in a row, then here are the areas I'm focusing on and the goals attached to them - along with my all important 'whys'.
Words
I need to finish and publish my first book in my cozy (ish) mystery series this year. This is important for my own creativity and satisfaction, my ambitions, and my potential to have an income again. To reduce overwhelm and frustration and stress.
In order to do that, I need to stop re-writing and focus on getting the full draft into my self-edits rounds this month.
In order to do that, I've been taking steps to keep myself motivated and accountable; from tracking writing days/words to joining an online writing group and actually letting people read my work!
Social media
As an indie author and a chronically ill/at home mum, I need to have some forms of connection. For me, this means online communities.
So, my social media use is not really an area I want to 'reduce' necessarily. I am finding being on Tiktok the surprising joy of 2025 and this is as important for letting potential readers know about my books, as well as a space to have some joy in my life (especially when most days are pain filled).
I've decided to let go of the nebulous goal of having a 'niche' and am using my accounts as 'me' - a multi-faceted person who is also an indie author.
Consuming less: money talks...
I'm never comfortable talking about the financial reality of my current life - it's painful, frightening and a whole lot of grief that comes from illness making you lose a secure career and salary and being too unwell to have a 'regular job'.
And yet, here I am - kind of talking about money on the internet.
This year, I really need to work on making my words pay; and until they are published, I need to get to grips with spending far less (which, in reality has been accruing debt).
If you are also here; I'm taking on some of the spirit and motivation from the current shift many people are taking to consuming less; in terms of stuff, how they shop, what they choose to 'do'.
Elements I'm taking on - being mindful of my energies and pacing that chronic illness requires are:
- #projectpanning i.e. using up all skincare, cosmetics etc. before repurchasing anything. I'm also trying to stick to a 'replacement only' repurchase too i.e. only buy new items if they are actually items you will use everyday and will use up to completion. I actually began this back in November 2024 (and was documenting it on a dedicated Instagram - that additional account became too distracting and overwhelming) and I'm now holding myself accountable - and staying motivated - by adding this as monthly updates on Tiktok. It's also fun. I find it satisfying! Yes, I am often very easily pleased.
- #projectpantry - similar but with food. I have been doing this really for years now, but I have upped my game a bit by not doing a default 'big monthly online shop' and sticking to meal planning and trying to get everyone involved in more 'from scratch' cooking. I also enjoy this and often make my kids' most favourite meals when on 'ready, steady, cook' mode.
- implementing a #nospendseptember in a number of areas e.g. clothing, skincare etc, books & stationery. This also includes buying second hand. Again - I'm focussing on using up what I already own and paring back on the pens, notebooks and so on that I own. I've been back in the library and have a brilliant TBR that I'm working though.
- what income streams I can add while on the road to publishing my cozy mysteries. I have ideas here, but I need to be mindful about what this will take from me and my publishing goals in terms of energy and focus.
Creating more, consuming less: prioritising creative rest
I'm hoping that these tweaks and ways to keep myself accountable and motivated will enable me to recapture some energy and focus that I can put into my creative rest - an area that is almost always woefully lacking. I'm a mum, but I'm also sometimes my own worst enemy, especially in the evenings.
My plan is to try and sort out a healthier evening routine that includes some gentle movement and outdoor time, listening to music and some solitude as well as reading at night instead of scrolling/rotting with Youtube.
Like all good plans - none of these are particularly groundbreaking; but that is kind of the point. I know I'm not wired for 'all or nothing' approaches and I know that my chronic illness/mum life means that I'm going to be making these changes in small snatches of time.
Still, I am hopeful that these small tweaks will have a big impact in my quality of life - and will help me progress more quickly towards my ambition.
Here's to harnessing that September mood x
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