[268] Reset Your Routines Without Starting Over

September always feels like a fresh start, but that doesn’t mean we have to start from scratch. In this episode, I share how I’m navigating the new season of homeschooling while also finding ways to reset routines without overwhelming myself. Together we’ll walk through four simple reminders that will help you build on what’s already working instead of throwing everything out. This is your encouragement to embrace progress over perfection and let your routines grow with you.

Mentioned in this episode:
👉🏽 Get Stuff Done Toolkit

3 Takeaways from this episode:

1. Start small—tiny shifts in your day make a big difference over time.
2. Build on what’s already working instead of overhauling everything.
3. Reflect, celebrate the small wins, and give yourself grace along the way.

Links and resources:

• Get Stuff Done Toolkit

Transcript

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Do you ever feel like September sneaks up on you and suddenly you're supposed to have it all together again? You know the lunch is packed. Kids out the door. Work emails answered. Dinner magically ready at six. Meanwhile, you're still trying to remember what day it is. If that's you, you're in good company. This year, September feels extra new for me because we've officially started homeschooling. Yep. A fourth grader and a seventh grader right here at my kitchen table.On the outside, I'm excited about this new chapter, but on the inside I've had moments of panic and lots of stress. Do I have everything I need? No. Do I know everything I need to know? Definitely not. But here's what I'm learning already. You don't need to have it all figured out to make progress. And that's what this episode is all about. Hey there. My name is Ton-Ann. I am the podcast host at The Real Happy Mom podcast. The podcast for busy working moms who need more time and help with achieving their big goals without pulling their hair out. And in this episode, we're gonna be talking about resetting routines without starting over. Because September is a natural reset, but it doesn't mean we have to overhaul everything. When I first sat down to map out our homeschooling days, I caught myself over complicating things. I wanted the perfect schedule, the right curriculum for every subject and the Pinterest worthy setup, you know. But then it hit me. I don't need to reinvent the wheel. We already have rhythms that work for us as a family. I just need to build on those. And honestly, that's exactly what happens when we try to reset routines. We think it has to be a total overhaul, but really it's about adjusting what we already have, celebrating what's working, and giving ourselves space for what's not perfect. So here's the truth, I want you to hold onto routines, don't have to be perfect, to be powerful. I want to share four simple reminders for resetting routines this fall. And as I walk through these myself, I want you to think about where you could apply these in your own life. So number one, start small. Think about planting a seed. You don't plant a hundred seeds and expect a forest to grow overnight, right? You start with one seed, water it, and let it grow. It's the same with routines. Instead of trying to reset everything all at once, mornings, evenings, meals, homework, just pick one. For example, maybe mornings feel like the biggest struggle. Instead of creating a 10 step routine, what if you could focus on packing lunches the night before? Or one small shift could be putting your clothes out on the bed so you know exactly what you're gonna wear and don't have to think about it. That one small shift can cut the morning stress in half. So think about it. What's one tiny adjustment that would make your days a little smoother? Number two, build on what's already working. When a business hits a slump, they don't just throw away their whole business model. They double down on what's working. It's the same with the routines. You don't need to scrap everything because one piece isn't working. For example, bedtime is already a sweet spot in your home. Everyone knows the flow and it works. That's your strength. Keep it. Instead, focus your energy on homework time or that tricky after school transition. So think about it. What's one part of your day that flows really well, and can you lean on that instead of reinventing everything? Moving on to number three, reflect and celebrate often. So in science, big discoveries don't happen all at once. Researchers celebrate every small breakthrough along the way because those little wins add up. We need to do the same. Stop waiting for the perfect week to celebrate progress. Maybe today you managed to get everyone out the door with less yelling. Celebrate that. Yeah, maybe you had dinner on the table twice this week instead of none. That's a win. So think about it. What's one small win from this week you can celebrate even if everything else felt messy? And lastly, number four, give yourself grace. Nature reminds us of this every year. Fall doesn't happen overnight. The leaves don't all change in one day. Seasons shift slowly. Your routines are the same way. They don't have to be polished by next week. Messy starts are still starts. So cereal for dinner some nights. Totally fine. A bedtime that doesn't always go as planned. That's normal. What matters is that you're showing up and trying again tomorrow. So think about it. Where can you give yourself more grace right now instead of expecting perfection? So remember, start small. Build on what's already working. Reflect and celebrate often, and always give yourself grace. That's how routines stick. Not because they're perfect, but because they grow with you. So as you head into this week, I want you to ask yourself, what's one small reset I can make right now that would make life just a little bit easier? Don't overthink it. Just pick one thing. And if you'd love some ready-made tools to help you reset your routines without overwhelm, check out the Get Stuff Done toolkit. It's packed with simple systems to help you save time and energy, especially in the busy seasons like this one. The link is in the show notes, or head over to real happy mom.com/done. So here's to stick into routines that actually stick, even if they're a little messy at first. That's it for this one. Take care and with thoughts of love.