September is the new January

The Mom Weekly Volume 160: September 1, 2026 

You can read this, or any other previous Mom Weeklies, by going to the home page here.

Notes:

I will say (not for the first time) that I often write the weeklies with myself in mind, and with things that I either need to consider or be reminded of. Today is no exception.

Remember how much I love you,

Mom

September is the new January

There’s been a trend in recent years to say, “September is the new January” because with the end of the summer and the start of the school year for most kids, it’s a time to refresh our schedules, our spaces, and our lives.

Now, most of us are no longer in school, but there is something to be said for a reset time when it’s not as busy/holiday rich as the end of December, to take stock of things and maybe make some goals.

Today is September 1, so this is a good time to consider one of these “resets.”

Might I suggest a few things? And as I say this, remember that I write The Mom Weekly as much for myself, with ideas I want to implement, as much as I write for you.

• Choose Four small/moderate goals, one per month.

This could look like organizing or deep cleaning a room each month:

September: Kitchen

October: Main Bedroom

November: Basement Storage areas (great ahead of holiday decorating)

December: books & bookshelves

• Work on something challenging for the last quarter of the year as a sprint.

If you have a side project or a , focusing on it for a quarter (three months) can be a great plan. I have some specific writing projects that I would like to make good progress on. Setting aside a few dedicated writing days could be good work for me.

• Start looking ahead to make some memories with all the upcoming holidays.

September through December is chock full. There are many holidays, from Halloween (not my favorite!) to New Year’s Eve. But there are also seasonal activities. Actually putting these things on the calendar, (even if you have to change your dates, etc.) can help make these things happen, and bring more enjoyment into your life. Some ideas:

Farm fun: 

apple picking, pumpkin patch visit, corn maze

Fall food: 

plan pumpkin recipes (pumpkin muffins, pumpkin chili), apple recipes, cider, fall soup recipes, candy corn, etc.

Halloween: 

As most everyone knows, this is not my favorite holiday! But it’s worth planning to have the Halloween candy on hand, decide when you would like to hand out candy at your door (or decide against, and go out of town!)

All Saints/All Souls:

November 1 is All Saints Day, November 2 is All Souls, and the month of November is set aside for remembering our beloved dead. Consider visiting a cemetery this month (even if it’s not a cemetery where you have relatives or friends) and praying for them. You may remember we did that years ago when we could bike ride to the town cemetery, and on temperate November days, we would do just that!

Thanksgiving: 

Setting aside some time to plan what you are going to make or have for Thanksgiving, as well as where you will be, is always a good plan.

December holidays:

While every month has saint feast days and other holidays (much less all the made-up “National Brownie Day”, etc.) December is chock full. So a little advance planning, even this far ahead, could be a fun exercise.

December 6: St. Nicholas 

Hanukkah is early this year! December 4-12. Add to the calendar. I’ll be planning to make latkes during those days.

December 8: Feast of the Immaculate Conception

December 12: Our Lady of Guadalupe 

December 16: Jane Austen’s 251st Birthday

December 24/25: Christmas Eve/Christmas Day

December 31/January 1: New Year’s Eve/New Year’s Day

Interesting/Notable:

The Highs and Lows of My $2,500 Flight in Alaska’s New Long-Haul Business Class (WSJ Gift link)

I enjoy WSJ travel writer Dawn Gilbertson’s columns. This is somewhat topical because some in our family may have the chance to experience some of these Alaska to Europe flights! I hope I can before too lon.g

Alaska Airlines had me at ice cream sundaes.

“Why a child’s stuffed bunny is blowing up a political race — and the internet” (Washington Post gift link)

The best quote from this article (and so true!)

“There are literally thousands of fathers reading those tweets and thinking: ‘When my daughter lost her favorite toy, I led a search party as if for a downed NATO nuclear warhead. And when that failed, I paid $300 for a replica on eBay,’” posted David Frum, a former speechwriter for President George W. Bush.