Now the Kids Are Back at School, It’s Your Turn

If you’re anything like me, the summer holidays are a bit of a blur.

Six weeks of snack requests, endless washing, days out, broken routines, and trying to keep everyone happy (and vaguely alive). Don’t get me wrong, I love spending time with my kids. I really do. But summer is full-on. And somewhere between the sun cream, the bickering, and the “Mum, I’m bored,” it’s very easy for us to forget ourselves entirely.

So now that they’re back at school and things are settling down again, I want to say something that you might need to hear:

It’s your turn.

Not to feel guilty. Not to play catch-up. But to do something for you.

You’ve Probably Been Putting Yourself Last...

When the kids are off school, everything shifts. I’ve been there. Training routines go out the window, mealtimes are all over the place, and you’re so focused on everyone else’s needs that your own fall completely off the radar.

The truth is, you can’t give 100% to everyone around you if your own tank is running on fumes. And yet so many of us feel selfish even thinking about making time for ourselves.

But here’s the thing I remind myself, and my clients, all the time: making time for yourself isn’t selfish. It’s essential.

Because if you’re feeling tired, sluggish, unmotivated, and a bit lost in your own skin, that’s not just a phase you have to put up with. You can do something about it, and you deserve to.

Why September Is the Perfect Time to Start Again

There’s something about this time of year that feels like a fresh start. Maybe it’s the new school shoes and sharp pencils. Maybe it’s the quiet after weeks of chaos. But for me, and for many of the women I work with, September often feels more like “New Year” than January ever does.

The pressure’s lower. The weather’s still decent. And there’s a bit more breathing room to think about what you need.

If the summer derailed your routines, that’s okay. You’re not starting from scratch. You’re simply picking things back up again. And you can do that slowly, steadily, and in a way that fits your life.

You Don’t Have to Be ‘On It’ to Start

I’ll be honest. Even now, after years of training and coaching, I still sometimes feel guilty taking time for myself. There are always a hundred other things I could be doing. Washing to fold. Emails to reply to. Packed lunches to prep.

But when I train, I’m a better version of myself. I’m calmer. More patient. I feel more in control. And that spills over into every other part of my life... home, work, parenting, all of it.

So if you’re feeling that familiar tug of guilt when you think about putting yourself first, try flipping it. Think about what your family gains when you’re energised, confident, and feeling good in yourself.

This isn’t about ditching your responsibilities. It’s about including yourself in them.

Ready to Reset? Here’s Where to Start

You don’t need to overhaul your entire life this week. You just need to take a step.

Here’s what I suggest if you’re looking to reset now the kids are back:

• Block out time just for you. Even if it’s just 30 minutes, put it in your diary and protect it like you would a school meeting or appointment.

  
  

• Move in a way that feels good. Whether that’s strength training, a walk after drop-off, or something more structured, the goal is consistency, not perfection.

  
  

• Fuel your body properly. You’ve probably been grabbing leftovers or skipping meals over the summer. Start building proper meals again. Your energy will thank you for it.

  
  

• Get support if you need it. You don’t have to figure it all out alone. If you’re ready for some structure, encouragement, and accountability, I’ve got space for a few new clients this September.

You’re Not Starting Over. You’re Starting Again, Wiser.

If summer threw you off course, that doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It just means life happened, and now it’s time to realign.

You haven’t lost your strength. You haven’t undone all your progress. And you haven’t run out of chances.

The kids are back at school. The routine is returning. And now that you’ve got even a little time back, it’s the perfect opportunity to start showing up for yourself.

And I’ll be right here, cheering you on.