September is the other new year
January isn’t the only time life feels like it resets. September carries its own charge. The light shifts. Temperatures drop. And whether or not you’ve set foot in a classroom in decades, the rhythm of “back to school” still shapes the culture around us.
In many traditions, September literally is the new year. In the Jewish calendar, Rosh Hashanah marks a season of reflection and renewal. Agricultural calendars turn with the harvest. Even in the corporate world, September signals a pivot — summer holidays are over, Q4 targets come into play, and performance expectations rise. Psychologists sometimes call this the “fresh start effect”: the human tendency to see certain times of year as natural reset points. September has always been one of them.
That’s why it carries both possibility and pressure.
Why September hits differently
For professionals in midlife — especially women with ADHD — September can feel like the real start of the year. But it also brings unique challenges.
The invisible mental load spikes. Even if you don’t have kids, your routines are pulled into the school-year rhythm. Meetings fill up again. Colleagues return from holidays. Everything accelerates at once.
Transitions are exhausting. Shifting from summer’s looser flow to fall’s structure can feel like slamming on the brakes and then accelerating again in the same week. ADHD brains, which thrive on momentum and consistency, find that jarring.
Sensory overload ramps up. Buses and trains are crowded again. Workplaces buzz with activity. Even errands feel different — more noise, more people, more stimulation. If you already wrestle with sensory sensitivities, September magnifies them.
Expectations skyrocket. Planners, apps, “new routine” challenges — the market knows September is the other January. Everyone else seems energized, while you might feel like you’re already falling behind.
January is about resolutions. September is about responsibilities. And responsibilities weigh heavier when ADHD is in the mix.
The PRIMED perspective
This is where I lean on PRIMED — my six-pillar framework that helps women with ADHD recalibrate when life speeds up. September tests every pillar, but some more than others:
Physical exercise (P). Activity often slips in the summer. September is a good moment to check in: are you moving in ways that fuel your brain, not drain it?
Routine (R). This is the big one. September is when people chase the perfect morning routine. For ADHD brains, that often backfires. Instead of ten new steps, pick one small thing that makes mornings calmer. Maybe it’s laying out clothes the night before, or prepping your breakfast smoothie. Build from there, not from Instagram’s version of “perfect.”
Intake (I). Seasonal transitions are a good time to notice what’s fuelling you. Are you relying on quick caffeine fixes because you’re tired, or eating in a way that steadies your energy? Intake can quietly make or break your focus.
Mental state (M). September amplifies comparison. Everyone else looks organized. Your inner critic might get louder. This is where small practices — journaling, mindfulness, or simply naming what’s true — keep perspective intact.
Environment (E). You can’t control crowded transit or noisy offices, but you can buffer yourself. Noise-cancelling headphones. Leaving a few minutes early to avoid peak crowds. Creating a quiet “landing zone” when you get home. Small shifts in environment make a big difference for overstimulation.
Downtime (D). September glorifies productivity, but brains need rest. Instead of chasing a “September hustle,” schedule downtime on purpose. That could mean a ten-minute walk before dinner, or a non-negotiable TV night with your favourite series. Rest is what allows you to reset — not another colour-coded planner.
Seen through the PRIMED lens, September doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It becomes a diagnostic moment: which pillar is stretched too thin, and which one can you support right now?
You don’t owe September a reset
Here’s the truth I want you to hear: you don’t have to reinvent yourself in September. A new season can be a cue to reflect, but it’s not a deadline.
You can recalibrate anytime. March. July. Next Tuesday. The calendar doesn’t decide when you get to start fresh — you do.
The key is finding routines that work with your brain, not against it. That’s what I help my clients do, and it’s the work you can begin right now without waiting for the “perfect” month to arrive.
September may be the world’s “other new year,” but for ADHD brains, it doesn’t need to be a source of pressure. It can simply be a reminder: you have permission to reset whenever you choose.
