Feeling that fresh back-to-school energy? 3 ways to put it to work for your own reset

SALT LAKE CITY — For women, the month of September brings real "new year energy." Back to school means back to routines, and often that structure offers a little more time to focus on you.

Monica Packer is a habits coach who views this season as one of possibility and increased motivation. She shared three ways to better yourself this back-to-school season.

We have not just time, but energy this time of year. Activities, travel, camps and all things summer come with urgency. When we get back to routines, we find a little more bandwidth.

"It's one of those things I think we just gotta capitalize," Packer said. "When it comes, just ride that wave."

Celebrate

Before diving into your new goals and being productive, Packer said to pause and acknowledge the season you just made it through.

"The summer's intense," she said. "And that's true for every mom. Honor that for yourself."

She suggested getting yourself a special treat, going on a really long walk or going to lunch with yourself. Make it something that deliberately marks the transition.

"You deserve that," Packer emphasized.

Get Real

The next step is to take inventory to find out what needs your attention. This isn't just cluttered counters or unfinished projects.

"What have you neglected about yourself because you haven't had the opportunity to really think, what do I need? What do I want right now?" Packer explained.

The advantage of this back-to-school season is that you can intentionally choose where to focus your energy and attention.

Prioritize

"I think we've all been a January joiner before," Packer said. "When we do everything all at once in January, and maybe by the 15th we've, like, crashed and burned."

Make your list, but don't do it all. Narrow your focus and decide where to start.

"Pick one," she said. "Just one."

You can start with something fun or choose a task that, once you've finished it, will make everything else easier. Just don't try to tackle everything all at once.

"Mine is I wanna get back into quilting," Packer shared. "All summer I've been trying to learn how to quilt and I just didn't have the bandwidth."

Now, with a little more time at her disposal, she can get back to it. Not every goal needs to be about fixing something. Give yourself some that help you rediscover things you enjoy.

Find more advice from Monica Packer on Instagram, @aboutprogress.