Why Change Feels So Hard in September (And How to Make It Easier)
September always feels like a fresh start. We feel ready to get back to our routines after the randomness of summer, and we can actually look forward to getting into good eating and exercise habits.
But if you’re anything like me, that enthusiasm can quickly turn to overwhelm. It feels hard, our motivation drops and progress slows or stops.
If you don’t want to let September get the better of you, then this will help you, because there are interesting reasons we struggle, and when you know why its hard, you’ve taken the first step to regaining control.
Why we resist change
When my daughter was a toddler, she would throw tantrums if I had to take her away from something she was enjoying. Like stopping her playing in the house, so we could go to the park. Then, as soon as she settled into the new activity, she was fine, often more than fine, delighting in being outside, the drama of leaving the house instantly forgotten.
A big parenting lesson was realising why she was having a tantrum. It was the transition that felt uncomfortable. She was happy where she was, and at that age had no comprehension of why she had to stop something familiar for something unknown.
And we’re no different as adults. Whether it’s the season shifting, getting back into work mode, or starting a new fitness plan, we fight change hard, even when it’s something we really want.
The two “lanes” of life
Here’s a metaphor that might resonate with you.
Most of us live in two lanes:
The fast lane: family dramas, work deadlines, social commitments, the pressure to react quickly and get things done. We’re good at this, in fact, many women thrive in the fast lane. It ties into our caring nature, wanting to help, being great in a crisis and wanting to feel needed.
The slow lane: this is where meaningful change happens. Eating well, exercising consistently, making time for ourselves. It’s slower, quieter, repetitive. It requires patience and persistence.
The problem is, whenever life in the fast lane gets hectic, we shut the slow lane down completely. Then, when we finally notice we’ve neglected ourselves, we panic and try to treat our health goals like another fast-lane crisis. But changing our health doesn’t work that way.
How to make change easier this September
September is a month where the fast lane gets busier and change is happening all around us. This is why it feels so hard, and why most of us struggle to keep up with the demands of life, and let our personal goals fall to the wayside again.
What can we do to stop fighting ourselves and start making progress?
Be aware — notice when you’re resisting change instead of blaming yourself.
Accept it — discomfort is normal. It doesn’t mean you’re failing.
Reconnect with your big goal — when stress ramps up, remind yourself why this matters to you.
Go back to basics — simple meals, short workouts, repeat. Consistency beats intensity every time.
Stay lighthearted — Project Me isn’t punishment. It’s an act of kindness to yourself.
Forgive yourself — bad days happen. Learn, reset, and keep going.
The truth is: September will always be busy. But you don’t have to choose between the fast lane and the slow lane. You can live in both, if you stop expecting change to feel like a sprint and start treating it like a steady walk forward.
This is how my clients and I are approaching September and are supporting each other through the process.
Giving them a meal plan and an exercise programme is the easy part.
Sticking to it during the most challenging months is the the hard part. Working as a group helps us realise we aren’t the problem and makes it easier for us to navigate life stresses that we all face.
What also keeps us motivated is knowing that this is about so much more than weight loss. Its really about getting the balance right in our lives. The slow lane is where we create new habits and carve out time to do things that are about us - what we want from life. Because when we let the fast lane take over, we experience burn out and resentment, we can’t make time to move, and we turn to the wrong food, for the wrong reasons; to cope with an unbalanced life that makes us feel lost.
👉 If cravings, stress or overwhelm keep pulling you back into the fast lane, my free 5-Day Cravings Reset will help. It’s designed to give you a quick win and help you feel calmer and more in control around food.