Do you also feel that as the evenings get a little darker and everyday life returns to normal, you get the urge to get things in order? To tackle something that's been waiting. Or just find your way back to routines that disappeared somewhere between holidays, late evenings, and spontaneous trips.
A bit like New Year's, but better. That's roughly where "Girl New Year" comes in.
What is "Girl New Year"?
"Girl New Year" is the name for the feeling that autumn is the year's real fresh start. This feeling might linger from school days when a new term meant new books and a new beginning. Although for me, that feeling arrived in February. I grew up in Australia and had summer holidays over Christmas and New Year. Autumn and school start, absolutely, just not in September. 😅 I got to know the September fresh start later through my children's school years here in Sweden.
As summer draws to a close, we want to organize, plan, declutter, read books, cook proper meals again, and buy office supplies we probably don't need. Okay, the last one might just be me, but I don't think so 😛
I like the idea of using autumn to pause for a moment and reflect on what I actually want to bring with me into the next part of the year.
Do an autumn reset with paper and pen.
Get out your Bullet Journal, notebook, or just a blank piece of paper. I created a double-page "Girl New Year" spread with a few simple questions. You can make the same spread as we did or just choose the parts that feel relevant to you.
This is what I'm taking with me.
Start with what's already good.
What has worked so far this year? What have you learned? What gives you energy? Is there a habit that you actually enjoy and want to continue?
It's easy for a fresh start to be about everything we should do differently. But there's probably quite a lot that you already do that's worth bringing into the autumn.
This is what I'm leaving behind.
Is there anything that doesn't need to come with you? For example, a "should" that has hung over you for too long or something that simply takes more energy than it gives.
Write it down and leave it behind.
More of this, please!
Now comes the most fun part. What do YOU want to fill autumn with? Note: No "shoulds"!
More time to be creative? Read books? Spend time with friends or family? Maybe exercise, alone time, dinners, music, walks, knitting, or travel.
Or an hour with the notebook and favorite pens. That has certainly made it onto my list. 😛
Write the words scattered if you like. It doesn't even have to be a list.
Autumn bucket list
Now let's get a bit more concrete! What would be fun to actually do this autumn? Pick mushrooms. Try a new recipe. Go back to a favorite place. Read that book that's been waiting beside the bed...
Write your own bucket list and feel free to leave a few lines blank. More things usually pop up once autumn really begins.
Right now I'm longing for...
I concluded the spread with a question that is perhaps the most important of all: What am I longing for right now?
Feel into it a bit and write it down. Big, small, possible, or impossible. But preferably no "shoulds" here either. 😛
How I made my "Girl New Year" spread
I chose soft colors that feel a bit like late summer, a bit like autumn.
For the spread, I used Tombow ABT Dual Brush Pen 992 Sand, 228 Gray Green, and 912 Pale Cherry, and Sarasa Sepia/black for the text.
As decoration, I had Zephyr Bloom pre-cut tape (washi). The motifs are pre-cut, so you just lift them from the tape and place them where you want them. Easy and very effective!
[IMAGE OF MATERIALS]
[IMAGE/VIDEO OF PRE-CUT MOTIFS]
Use what you have at home or choose your own favorite colors. There's no right or wrong! 😊
You don't have to wait until January! If you feel like a fresh start, there's no reason to wait for a new year.
Open a blank page and start where you are.
What do you want more of this autumn?
Happy "Girl New Year"! 🍂