Routine Reboot: Navigating the Emotional Landscape of Back to School Season
Routine Reboot: Facing the Back-to-School Shift Without Losing Yourself
The house is quieter. The mornings are earlier. And just like that, back-to-school season sneaks in and shakes everything up.
Last week, our son started his junior year. I was excited for him, proud even—but I also found myself fighting off a lump in my throat. Not because of this year, but because I already feel the weight of next year. Senior year. The last year. And that realization hit me harder than I expected.
I had to stop and remind myself: You’re already borrowing stress from a year away. Why? Why miss this moment because you're worried about the next? Easier said than done, right?
If you're anything like me, this season brings more than a calendar change. It's emotional. It's mental. It's a reset that hits us as hard as it hits the kids.
When the Bell Rings, It Rings for Us Too
Back-to-school isn’t just a shift for our kids. It forces us, as moms and caregivers, to shift, whether we’re ready or not. It’s a season packed with contradictions: excitement and grief, relief and stress, order and chaos. You’re happy to reclaim a routine, but you’re also mourning a little bit of the freedom (or the time) you just had.
You might be dropping off toddlers with oversized backpacks or watching your teens drive themselves to school, and no matter where you’re at, it still feels like something’s shifting inside you too.
Rebuilding Routines (for you, not just the kids)
While they settle into new classes and schedules, this is your moment to reset, too. Not the kind of overhaul that overwhelms you, but the kind that gets you back to yourself a bit.
Here’s what I’ve been asking myself:
What small habits actually made me feel better last year?
What’s been weighing me down?
Where do I need more margin?
Your new routine doesn’t have to look like a Pinterest-perfect planner. It could be blocking 10 minutes of quiet in the morning, setting a real bedtime again (for you), or finally scheduling that appointment you’ve been putting off.
The Work Reentry Question
Let’s talk real life for a minute. A lot of us look at the school calendar and start thinking: Should I go back to work? Maybe you’re already working part-time or full-time. Maybe you’ve been home and now you're wondering what’s next.
This season can open up time and questions. Maybe it’s not about a job at all. Maybe it’s about pursuing a certification, starting a side hustle, or volunteering somewhere that actually lights you up.
Whatever that looks like, don’t just default to what’s easy. Take five minutes and ask yourself: What do I want this next chapter to look like for me?
For the Moms in Midlife (or Close to It)
There’s something uniquely raw about being a woman in your 40s or beyond during back-to-school season. You’re balancing work, home, your kids’ emotional needs, your own shifting identity, and maybe caring for aging parents, too.
It’s a lot. But it’s also a chance to breathe.
Now’s the time to ask bigger questions:
What have I been putting off?
Where do I want to grow?
What kind of routines or habits would make this season feel lighter?
Whether it’s joining a class, dusting off that creative project, or finally saying “no” to things that drain you, this season can be a start, not just a restart.
This Isn’t Just About the Kids
We’re allowed to feel nostalgic. We’re allowed to cry when we drop them off. We’re also allowed to feel relief, excitement, or even guilt about those feelings. That doesn’t make you a bad mom. It makes you human.
So here’s your permission slip: reflect, feel all the feelings, but also look forward. Reset your routine, reconnect with yourself, and stop trying to do it all perfectly.
Let’s Talk About It
Are you navigating this back-to-school season with a mix of emotions, too? Dreading a milestone? Ready to make a change? I’d love to hear what’s on your mind.
Drop a comment or reply to Our Monthly Spark. We’re in this together—and I truly mean that.
Ready to make space for yourself again?
We’ve pulled together a few of our most powerful reads to help you reset and refocus:
10 Key Priorities for a Balanced and Fulfilling Life
Because self-care isn’t a trend—it’s how we keep showing up for the life we want.
