My Autumn resolutions

September is a time for new starts. A time to sort and plan. Sweeping out the stale, tired things onto a bonfire. This can be either literal or metaphorical, I find.

Even with my own school days a distant memory, September always feels so optimistic – new challenges, faced with shiny new shoes and sharpened pencils. I’ve always found it to be a more inspiring time of year to make resolutions than January.

This is all the more true this year as I’m about to embark on a new chapter in my life. By the end of next week, both my boys will be at school full-time. I’ve been a stay at home mother for nearly seven years now. That’s not going to change overnight. I still want to be there to drop them off and pick them up. I’ll be sad to see this part of my life ending, but there’s a subtle feeling of excitement and expectation in the air. New opportunities are emerging and I want to step into them.

I’m not thinking that big yet, but here’s a few modest resolutions that I would like to embrace this Autumn…

To be more organised. I do try to be organised, but I’m naturally a bit of a ditherer and just sticking every school letter to fridge is not going to cut it with two children in school. We’re talking box files, lots of them. And lists that mean something and get completed. Last year at school I forgot too many little things – it annoys me and makes feel inept.

To do more crafting. With a bit more time, I want start getting more creative. I want to buy that sewing machine I’ve been thinking about, and really make an effort to use it. I also have some Clangers I need to knit. A bit more time means I can get stuck into a project.

To make the house a better place. In terms of housework, I only ever tread water. With the boys at school, I’m looking forward to getting some routines in place to keep things looking tidier for longer. I don’t particularly love cleaning, and I resent how messy everything gets. I also want to change the things that annoy me – like touching up dirty paintwork or tidying a bookshelf. The kind of things that really irritate me on a vague, day-to-day level.

To be more frugal. I’d like to buy less. I’m not too bad, but I’m very good at realising I desperately need something, and just buying it. I’d like to save more.

To think seriously about extending our house. We keep moaning about the things we don’t like, but never changing anything. I’d like a plan – can we extend in a few years, or is it better to move on?

To get a puppy. I’m getting closer, just need to find the right puppy now.

To continue to grow and develop this blog. But also to remember that there is life outside it.

To earn some money. Maybe through writing, or maybe something entirely different.

To get fit and lose weight. I’ve really lost a lot of fitness this year after hurting my back really badly after Christmas. I’d like to feel fitter and for my jeans to be a little looser. I’m planning on trying to incorporate some runs into my usual school routines. I’d also like to swim once a week, and maybe go to a class one morning. My physio has also referred me for a exercise plan with a trainer at our local gym – something which fills me with mild trepidation, but which I’m determined to try. I also need to get back to my daily back exercises – I’ve let things slip during the holidays and I can feel it.

What are your Autumn resolutions?