September Is Your Second January

 

Entering the second half of the year doesn’t feel as dramatic as stepping into the “Ember” months, with September being the start of it. It’s less dramatic than January, but it’s just as powerful. 

September marks the beginning of the last stretch of the year, and it’s accompanied by a new season. That shift in season makes it feel memorable. 

Personally, I look forward to this time—it’s my favorite thing about the Ember months. I mean, it's time to prepare for December. 

But what does September really feel like? 

September feels like pressure. 

Pressure to get it all done before the year ends. 

Pressure to meet goals set in January. 

Pressure to end the year well. 

But that’s the impression we’ve been given—not the truth of what September really is. 

September is your new January. 

The last 90 days before December are a time to revisit the goals and resolutions you made at the start of the year. By now, you should’ve gained clarity on what’s working and what’s not. And if you haven’t, that’s okay too. 

Remember: it’s never too late for anyone. 

Revisiting Your January Goals

This season should bring less pressure and more clarity. And if clarity hasn’t found you yet—go find it. 

Remember those New Year's resolutions and goals? Pull them out. Write them out one by one, and reflect. What’s worked? What’s shifted? What no longer works? 

It’s okay to experience a shift in goals. Sometimes, things don’t go according to plan. We learn, grow, and evolve, so it’s normal for your goals to evolve too. 

Ask yourself:

“What did I hope for in January? What do I still want?” 

Here’s a simple checklist to guide you: 

✔️What goal did I set that I’ve made progress on?

✔️ What goals did I drop along the way?

✔️What goals feel irrelevant now?

✔️What new desire has emerged since January? 

This is your moment of clarity. 

I started this year as a Copywriter, determined to make it big in that space. But for some reason, everything felt off. 

Eventually, I let go of copywriting and leaned fully into writing about personal development. And that’s when things began to align.

You don’t force clarity. It gives you signs, and you choose whether to meet it or leave it. 

Setting September Goals With Intention. 

Once you’ve reflected on where you’ve been, it’s time to decide where you’re going. 

One of my goals this year was to take Copywriting and content writing seriously. I’ve since dropped one because it no longer serves me. My goals for this last stretch of the year have changed. 

You don’t have to change your goals. You can refocus on achieving the ones you set in January. Whether new or old, set these goals with intention. Don’t do it to follow the crowd, do it because it’s your personal journey. 

How do you create meaningful goals?

• Start with 1-3 goals. Don’t overcrowd them. Remember, you’re doing it for you, so be realistic about it. Set goals that you can accomplish within the next 30-90 days. 

• Clarity over quality. The goals you set now should serve your purpose, not work against it. What have you learnt about your purpose since January? Channel that lesson towards creating this new goal. 

• Words of affirmation should be your best friend. Choose a “word of the month.” Words like grace, favor, abundance, focus, courage, etc, carry power. Let them guide your mindset and actions. 

It’s okay if your goals weren’t achieved.

It’s okay to begin again. 

Life isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress and clarity.

The year isn’t over yet, there’s still time to grow, shift and make a real change. 

Let September be the beginning of what truly matters.

Let it begin with a steady movement towards what matters. 

Choose your September word now. Let’s walk into this new season with intention.