10 Things I Do That Make September Feel Like the New Year

Simple resets, small rituals, and cookie dough as insurance.

Friends, we’re well into September - well past the halfway mark, to be sure, but I refuse to call the month over just yet. September feels like the true new year to me, and there’s still plenty of productivity left to wrestle out of these days. And I do mean wrestle. That is what the effort feels like to me lately. Nevertheless, the days are getting shorter, my lists are somehow getting longer. Still, I want to finish the year strong.

So before we tumble fully into pumpkin patches and holiday marathons, I’m leaning into the reset energy September offers. Here are ten things I do this time of year to tidy up, reset, and set the stage for the cozy months ahead. I think of it as sharpening pencils before the big test. In my case, it’s more like stocking the freezer with cookie dough and running drain cleaner through the pipes. The reward for all these efforts (it should go without saying) is a trip to Trader Joe’s for every apple cinnamon product they have on their shelves.

1. Clean Out and Refresh the Main Purse

Every season I dump my purse out like it’s a confessional. Out spill the crumpled receipts, rogue pens I nabbed from the bank, mint wrappers, and loose change that I swear multiplies on its own. It’s a reckoning. It’s a George Costanza wallet.

The most important (and satisfying) part is refreshing the little bags within the bag — the zipper pouch with hand sanitizer, a really good hand cream, and the lip gloss I swear doubles as a blush. I restock Advil, gum, and a spare hair tie, too. Was I a Girl Scout? Obviously.

And here’s my best tip: always tuck a couple of $20 bills into a hidden zip pocket. It feels old-fashioned, but you never know when cash will save the day. Plus, I always forget it’s there, so I stumble upon my humble no-interest pocket savings with delight.

2. Reset the Kitchen for Fall and Holiday Baking

This is my preseason training camp (which I wrote all about here). I restock the pantry, tuck a pie crust in the freezer, and swap my crawfish boil towels for plaid ones. Ina would be proud.

3. Run Drain Cleaner Down All the Pipes

You want to talk sexy? Let’s talk about our drains. Listen, most people can get by without even considering their drains but, nothing can go uncared for in this 137 year old house. I use this enzyme cleaner and pots of scalding hot water to clear some of the old funk. We do what we can (on a bi-annual schedule thaaanks!).

4. Deep Clean the Car

I resist this one with my whole being, but it has to be done. The camping chairs go back into storage, the dirt gets shaken out for good, and I pull out the little handheld vacuum. Cup holders get scrubbed, the glovebox gets restocked with hand wipes and emergency snacks (specifically cheese-stuffed Mini Ritz Crackers because some things are sacred), and for a fleeting moment, the car feels brand new.

Here’s the truth: this reset never lasts past November, but I’ve learned to treat it like a sprint, not a marathon. I set a timer for 30 minutes, do what I can, and call it good.

5. Stash Cookie Dough in the Freezer

Nothing says “prepared for life” like having cookie dough balls ready to go. I portion out chocolate chip dough, freeze them on a baking sheet, and keep a bag in the freezer. Midweek blues? Friday night guests? You’re 14 minutes away from a warm cookie and a better mood. Highly recommend these snickerdoodle-oatmeal cookie hybrid: Everybody’s After School Cookie.

6. Freshen Up the Bed
New sheets (not purchased, but soaked in Oxiclean and washed on hot), a fresh pillow spray (this one makes a really nice gift!), and a folded quilt at the end of the bed makes me feel like a person with her act together (which… obviously). September deserves crisp sheets and maybe even a little switch to a cozier color palette.

7. Order Fresh Pens + a New Notebook
Is it even a new year if you don’t get new school supplies? Absolutely not.

I like to refresh both my desk and the kitchen counter stash—the places where I inevitably jot down grocery lists, recipe ideas, and notes for the bakery. My personal setup: a graph paper notebook (here’s my current because I love the structure for both writing and doodling), and a pack of seasonal Ink Joy pens (because there’s no arguing that they’re the best).

8. Take Stock of the Closet
I pull out sweaters and clean and moisturize my leather boots. I make a little stack for the donation bin while I’m at it. I transfer all the longer sleeve shirts and dresses to the front of the closet and transition the lighter clothes to the back. It’s a great month to know what I have before I buy another long sleeve black shirt, you know?

9. Swap the Candles + Soap Scents

The great news is that we are fast approaching pine candle season but we get to stop off at cedarwood, pumpkin, and apple cider scents first. The simple act of switching to a cozy scent in the kitchen makes even washing dishes feel seasonal. It’s the little things!

10. Make a Little Plan
This can be as simple as jotting down what’s coming up this fall: birthdays, holiday parties, possible dinner parties, booking holiday travel. I like to make a mini list of recipe ideas I want to try, a book I want to read, and a loose budget for fall events. See, this is where we put that graph paper notebook to use. It feels grounding and keeps me from being surprised by, say, Halloween every single year (because wwhhyy?).

Hope this helps you feel a little more grounded this September, friends.

Take good care!

xo Joy