Nutrition by Dawn - Blog

September has me thinking about seasonality, not just the changing weather, but the changing seasons in our health, our businesses, and our lives.

Here in New England, the weather is starting to cool down, and I am thrilled about it. After a pretty warm summer, I'm much more excited to spend more time outside again. More outdoor walks. More pickleball. More opportunities to move my body in ways that feel good.

Being outside brightens my mood, and the variety is good for my body, too. I'm not quite a year out from my last knee replacement, and I'm still making meaningful gains in my balance, flexibility, and strength. Changing up my movement keeps challenging my body in different ways as I continue through these final phases of recovery.

That's the season I'm in with my health.

But my business? That's in a slightly different season.

Sometimes Maintaining Is the Right Move

Right now, my business is in what I'd call a quiet season. Not a complete stop, but a little pause.

My son is home for these last few weeks before heading back to college, and there are so many things we want to squeeze in before he goes. We're catching up on movies, seeing friends, visiting his favorite restaurants, shopping for his new apartment, packing, and simply spending time together.

And I don't want to miss it.

I originally had several business projects that I wanted to finish before Labor Day. I've since looked at that plan and decided:

They can move at a slower, more intentional pace.

I've moved them to early September, after he's back at school and my schedule shifts again.

That's not falling behind.

It's making an intentional decision based on the season I'm actually in.

Your Business Has Seasons, Too

Back-to-school season often comes with this message that it's time to get serious again.

Summer is over. Kids are going back to school. Time to ramp up the business. Time to get productive. Time to do all the things.

Maybe that's exactly what you need.

Or maybe it isn't.

If your kids haven't gone back to school yet, perhaps you'd rather spend these final days enjoying time together.

If your business has a natural seasonal demand, your decision may be different. If you sell back-to-school supplies, for example, this is your season. Your business needs your attention right now.

But many of us don't have businesses with such clearly defined seasons.

That means we have more freedom to decide when to push and when to maintain.

Forget What You're "Supposed" to Be Doing

One of the things I'd encourage you not to do is open a magazine, scroll through social media, or read someone else's business plan and decide that's what you're supposed to be doing right now.

I don't particularly like "supposed to."

Your family isn't someone else's family.

Your business isn't someone else's business.

Your body isn't someone else's body.

And your calendar certainly isn't someone else's calendar.

Instead, look at what's actually happening in your life.

Ask yourself:

Is this a season to push forward, or is this a season to maintain?

There will be times when pushing forward feels exciting and aligned. You'll have the energy, time, and opportunity to build something new.

There will also be seasons when maintaining what you've already built is more than enough.

Neither one is wrong.

Work With Your Season, Not Against It

Seasonality gives us an opportunity to adjust instead of constantly expecting ourselves to operate at exactly the same pace.

Maybe cooler weather means you're excited to move outside again.

Maybe back-to-school means you suddenly have more uninterrupted work hours.

Maybe this is your busiest business season.

Or maybe this is the moment when your family needs more of your attention.

Pay attention to what's happening around you and within you.

Then build accordingly.

Because life isn't a template.

Your life is uniquely yours, and the routines, priorities, and pace that work for someone else don't have to work for you.

So as we move into this next season, ask yourself:

What does this season of my life need from me?

Then give yourself permission to act accordingly.

As always, what I hope for you is that you live a life you love without giving up the things that bring you joy.

Until next time.