By: Dr. Phyllis Bivins-Hudson
August often feels like a quiet exhale.
The height of summer has passed, and while the sun still lingers long into the evening, there’s a subtle shift in the air.
Back-to-school ads reappear, children get excited about their new school year experiences, young adults are going off to college for the first time, planners begin to fill up again, and conversations start turning toward fall.
September is coming—and with it, the renewed pace of the buzzing anticipation of fall routines—work deadlines, school schedules, and structured routines.
But this in-between time offers a valuable opportunity: a chance to pause, reflect, and reset—slow down and recharge. A chance to not feel that rush into the rush!
This month’s blog will guide you through some simple, mindful practices to embrace stillness and intention before the September momentum kicks in. Consider engaging in these practices:
See August as an “Interlude”
- Describe the unique feel of late August: warm days, quieter routines, and the hint of seasonal transition. Savor it. Allow it to wash over you and get you into the mood for what comes next.
- Acknowledge the coming busyness of September—new academic years, work schedules, holidays, etc. Think about this with ease rather than seeing it as a time for hustle and bustle.
- Think of this time as a time for stillness now. That stillness now can create clarity and calm for the months that lie ahead.
Don’t take these opportunities lightly; Mindful Moments Matter.
They support mental clarity, stress relief, and emotional regulation. When we have these in check, we are on our way to becoming healthy or maintaining our already healthy lifestyle.
When we aren’t mindful of what we do, we can tend to mobilize too early, which can lead to burnout before September even begins.
As the month progresses, don’t lose sight of your original intention. But consider these practices too:
1. Develop morning rituals--a few minutes of breath work, or journaling, or even praying before your day gets started.
2. If you like walking, take a walk and observe the changes in the environment or the onset, perhaps, of fall, which, depending on where you live, may be about to peek its head around the corner. Experience this practice with curiosity.
3. Eke out some “Me Time” to begin reconnecting with yourself, especially if you are nearing the end of vacation.
4. Reflect on the future. Be intentional about the coming month. Think about September in a way that you have never thought of it before. Begin by scheduling a specific time for reflection or stillness as you would any other appointment. Then ask yourself these two questions:
A. What do I want to bring into September?
B. What can I let go of?
5. Just before September comes in full swing, think about a “Mindful Weekend” before Labor Day to reset with intention.

6. Finally, if you have children, you might want to consider involving them in this kind of mindfulness. They will thank you for it later.
How will you honor the stillness before the rush? Let me know by commenting on my page.
Until next time, keep flying on your own wings.