September Reset
September 12, 2025
To Inspire:
Things change in September, have you noticed? It’s like the carefree days of summer are over and everyone gets back to business. It turns out there are reasons why many of us seem to crave a life reset this time of year and that indulging in this impulse is good for our brain.
It’s called the “fresh start effect,” according to neuroscientist Valerie Stark McQuillan. Temporal landmarks such the beginning of a new year, a birthday, or a change in seasons create a psychological separation from past disappointments. This, in turn, increases our confidence in our ability to achieve goals and makes us much more likely to initiate positive changes.
Add to this that we are programmed from a very young age to associate this time of the year with a fresh start. Getting new notebooks and folders and pencil boxes for a new school year transitions to buying a new planner or reorganizing your closet or doing a deep clean on your home as an adult.
This is good for our brains. Buying a new planner, starting a new workout routine, or doing any of the reset things you may be inspired to do sparks activity in the brain’s dopamine system. Jane Ollis, a medical biochemist says, “Our brains are progress-biased – they love moving from ‘messy’ to ‘sorted.’ Finishing tasks or clearing space triggers a dopamine and serotonin response.”
September is a good time for a change. Summer can be busy, and often includes a little more food, a little less exercise, and just generally a little less focus on our otherwise organized and heathy habits. That’s why a reset this time of year can be very beneficial.
The feeling of a fresh start can lift your mood and restore focus. Taking the time to consciously think about how things are and how we would like to move forward gives us a feeling of control in our lives which can help reduce anxiety. Cleaning or tidying helps our brains function better. Cluttered environments can be overwhelming and make it harder to stay focused and impact our working memory.
Of course, to really get these healthy benefits, you need to follow through on whatever you plan. Getting halfway through cleaning out your closet or your kitchen cupboards then running out of energy or motivation is just going to make things worse.
The best way to get the most out of your reset is to start small. Break your goals into smaller, achievable steps and introduce new habits gradually. Even a small win will give you the dopamine boost in your brain, which should make it easier to stick with a new routine or project.
So don’t be surprised if you’re thinking about a reset right now – it’s that time of the year. And you’re not alone. In the past week I’ve looked at blinds and carpet for my home, and started a list of projects to work on this fall. Whatever your reset goals, start small and remember self-compassion is important. Just try to keep yourself on track and don’t forget to celebrate your successes.
Written by Michelle O’Brien, Manager of Marketing & Communications