The Weight of September: A Season of Change and Challenge

September Signals Change

When the 1st of September hits, it somehow feels like the end of something. As soon as that date comes around, the shops are already filled with their autumn clothes, the Halloween (and even Christmas!) decorations are on the shelves and we are being encouraged to look towards the end of the year. Those light-filled summer months have drawn to a close, it starts to get darker earlier, and it really feels like the bulk of the year is behind us. Some people welcome the return to cosy jumpers and candle-lit evenings, but for others, this time of year can feel particularly hard.

The Back-to-School Transition

For parents of children and young people, September means the start of the new academic year. Whilst for many, this is an exciting time of new opportunities, new classes and new pencil cases, there can also be a lot of anxiety and social overwhelm at the thought of returning to the classroom. Some children have spent the summer in their ‘safe place’; at home, with family and friends they can trust, less structure and less pressure. To return to school or college where there is suddenly lots of noise, friendships to navigate, new teachers to get to know, and academic expectations, can feel thoroughly overwhelming. It is natural that this will take some adjusting to, but it may be that children and young people need a little extra support and understanding whilst this transition happens.

When School Becomes a Struggle

For some families, returning to school is more than something to adjust to. It is a battle.

Whether it is complicated family structures, anxiety, neurodivergence, bullying or academic struggles, there are many reasons why September and the return to school or college feels like an unwelcome challenge. Parents who struggle to support their children into school can feel exhausted and isolated; the dread of the fight every morning, the worry about how their child is doing that day and the fear of the judgement if they cannot get their child into school.

There are also the financial burdens of new school uniforms, charity donations and trips, and all this after a summer of paying for childcare, or expensive days out and activities.>

Marking the Passage of Time

The start of September also feels like a real marker for the passage of time. Children

suddenly seem more grown up as they put on their uniforms again and move up a year group, and this can feel bittersweet as we embrace how much they develop and grow but also mourn the time we won’t have again with them. New projects begin at work as the interruptions of summer holidays fades and with these, new pressures and expectations. Even on the television it feels like a new phase, with the launch of the next series of flagship programmes.

And often there is the feeling that we are now on the treadmill to Christmas and the end of the year, despite the fact there are four whole months to enjoy before we get there. Lots of people love Christmas, and relish in the preparations and planning, but for many others, Christmas can be a challenging time and so the ever-earlier looming of it on our social radars feels oppressive and stressful.

A Gentle Reminder: It’s OK to Find September Hard

This then, I guess, is a reminder to myself, and anyone else who needs it, that September can sometimes feel hard, and that’s OK. But it’s also a reminder that those longer evenings are still lingering, and whilst summer may be officially over, we don’t have to charge headfirst towards the end of the year; we can make the most of these autumn months and everything they have to offer first.

Reach Out for Support

If September feels heavy and you're finding it hard to cope with the transitions this season brings, you're not alone, and you don't have to face it all on your own. Whether you're a parent navigating school-related stress, or simply feeling overwhelmed by the pace of change, talking to a therapist can help.

I'm here to offer a safe, supportive space to explore what you're going through.

If you’d like to book an appointment or have a chat about how therapy might help, please feel free to get in touch.