After the freshness of spring and the long days of the summer, September is like the final stretch of the marathon. It has a completely different feel to the other times of the year: it beckons the end of one season but is still warm and bright enough to ease us into the beginning of autumn without plunging us into the darkness of the winter months.
For me, September is a wonderful time to enjoy the last of the Indian summer (which appears to be inevitable in London) and also anticipate the crisp, red leaves that will pop out by the month’s end. It is also a wonderful time to organise yourself, physically and mentally before the madness of the final quarter of the year.
1. If you’re due for a check up, get an eye test and visit the dentist. Your eyes and teeth are with you for life, so knowing that they are all fine always gives you peace of mind.
2. De-clutter your home. Who says you can only spring clean once a year? See what you have in your wardrobe and cupboards that you haven’t used for over a year and give it away. Making space allows you to fully appreciate what you have kept and also means you can then make way for new purchases.
3. In this age of digital everything, it can be easy to save everything but keep nothing. Choose ten favourite photos you’ve taken over the past year and actually print them out on good old fashion paper. There is something special about being able to physically hold an image, just like our grandmothers used to do. You could display them in frames but I prefer organising them in an actual photo album. I find it a wonderful way to spend a “slow” day and it also gives me a reason to visit Paperchase.
4. Inevitably everyone eats better in the summer. There’s something about dining al-fresco which prevents us from consuming vast amounts of stodge – even the afternoon teas tend to serve lighter fare. Carry this healthiness over into September and all the way through the later months. Focus less on super foods and more on colours and textures.
5. Flu season is around the corner so prepare your system with propolis or daily doses of Echinacea. Chai tea or cinnamon is perfect for those windy days where you feel under the weather or if you’ve been caught in the drizzle.