38. 7 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Fall Gets Busy Again
Every year, I tell myself that summer will move a little slower. I'll spend more evenings outside. I'll finally tackle a few projects I've been thinking about. I'll have more time to read, reflect, and figure out what's next.
Then somehow August arrives.
The graduation parties are over. Vacation photos are already buried in my camera roll. Store shelves are filling with school supplies and pumpkin spice everything. Before long, calendars start filling up again and the sprint toward the holidays begins.
For many working women, fall feels less like a season and more like the start of another marathon. Work gets busier, family schedules pick up, and those personal goals we had back in January quietly get pushed aside for "later."
That's why I think this time of year is so important.
Before life speeds up again, it's worth taking a moment to pause and ask yourself a few questions. Not because you need another self-improvement project. Not because you need a perfectly organized plan for the rest of the year. If you're not intentional, you'll blink and be sitting in December, wondering where the last four months went.
1. What Gave Me Energy This Summer?
When we think about summer, we often focus on what we accomplished. A better question is what made us feel energized.
Think about the moments when you felt most like yourself. Maybe it was sitting on the patio with a cup of coffee before everyone else woke up. Maybe it was working on a creative project, spending time outdoors, taking a weekend trip, or simply having a little more breathing room in your schedule.
Those moments matter because they often reveal what you need more of in your life, not less.
2. What Drained Me More Than It Should Have?
Just as important as identifying what energized you is recognizing what consistently left you feeling exhausted.
Were there commitments you kept because you felt obligated? Responsibilities that could have been shared? Activities that took far more from you than they gave back?
Before fall arrives, take an honest look at what may need simplifying, delegating, or releasing altogether.
3. What Have I Been Saying I Want to Do "Someday"?
Most women have a list. The side hustle they'd like to start. The class they want to take. The hobby they've been meaning to revisit. The business idea is sitting in a notebook somewhere.
The problem is that "someday" rarely appears on the calendar.
What is one thing you've been talking about for months or even years that still matters to you? If it comes to mind immediately, there may be a reason it keeps resurfacing.
4. If I Only Had Two Hours a Week for Myself This Fall, How Would I Spend Them?
This might be my favorite question because it's realistic. Most working women don't have endless free time. They have careers, families, homes, and responsibilities.
But two hours? Most of us can find two hours.
Would you spend them learning a new skill? Starting a side project? Exercising? Writing? Creating? Building something for yourself?
Your answer often reveals what matters most in this season of life.
5. What Do I Want More Of By December?
Imagine it's December 31st and you're reflecting on the last few months.
What would make you feel proud?
Maybe it's more confidence. More income. Better health. More creativity. Stronger relationships. More time for yourself.
The goal isn't perfection. It's clarity about what you want the rest of the year to look and feel like.
6. What Can I Stop Carrying Into the Next Season?
Sometimes growth isn't about adding more. Sometimes it's about letting something go.
That might be guilt. Perfectionism. Comparison. Unrealistic expectations. Or the belief that you have to do everything yourself.
As you prepare for fall, ask yourself what you're ready to leave behind.
7. What Is One Small Step I Can Take Before Labor Day?
Not a complete life makeover.
Not a five-year plan.
Just one step.
Maybe it's registering a domain name. Starting a savings account. Signing up for a class. Writing the first blog post. Having an important conversation.
Small actions create momentum. Momentum creates change.
Before Fall Arrives...
The women who create meaningful changes in their lives aren't necessarily the ones with the most time, money, or confidence.
They're the women who pause long enough to ask themselves better questions.
Before the schedules fill up and the holiday season begins to creep into view, give yourself permission to reflect. You don't need all the answers right now.
You just need enough clarity to take the next small step.
If you're feeling pulled toward something new but aren't sure where to begin, download my free Second Act Pathfinder. It's designed to help busy women gain clarity, explore new possibilities, and create a plan for what's next, one simple step at a time.
