September Bliss Challenge: Embrace Health, Happiness, and Self-Care This Fall

September is my birthday month. Even though my birthday is the last day of the month, I take it upon myself to celebrate all month long. I see September as a new year, new things to be tried, memories to be celebrated, and perhaps time to try to integrate something different: a leveling up or rising if you will.   I declare this September to be pure BLISS!!!

What does 'bliss' mean to me? Complete happiness, paradise, and a sense of peace. This year, I’m taking on bliss as a personal challenge. Each letter represents a challenge that I want to incorporate into my life for the year ahead.  

This challenge is perfect for those of us who want to establish new routines as the kids head back to school and the seasons begin to change. Let’s start September with a focus on health, happiness, and self-care. I’ll be tackling one challenge per week, building on my progress as we move through the month. Here’s how we can embrace BLISS together!

B: “Begin an evening routine”.  

For months now I have really solidified a morning routine of exercise, hydration and meditation.  My evenings look more like a two year old with the zoomies (Arnie, our beloved cavalier, always ramps up after dinner as if fighting the imminent bedtime).  I am working on winding down two hours before bed, eating earlier when I can, doing yin yoga for a few minutes, perhaps a hot bath if time allows, and then settling in with my moonbrew (evening drink) an hour before bed.  I then might watch a show with my husband and/or read a few pages. 

Your turn: During the first week of September, begin your own evening routine. Use my proposed evening routine as your inspiration or come up with an evening routine that is completely unique to you. 

L: “Let it Go” 

Yes, just as the song from Frozen reminds us,  I had to clear everything out of our guestroom (catch all) closet.  Do you have a space that literally holds everything that doesn’t have a place? Maybe a junk drawer, well for me it was the guest room closet.  We were having foundation work done and the only access to under the house is that closet - so it all had to come out.   I am using that excuse as a reason to literally cull through my closet and to donate at least one third.  Let’s face it I wear the same leggings and t-shirts or dinner attire more often than finding something new.  I reach for the same old same old. So in an attempt to be more creative with my outfits I have come to subscribe to less is more! Everything is OUT of the closets - now is the time to sift, sort, donate and recycle. Stay tuned but it is my second week to embrace this challenge. 

Your turn: During the second week of September, pick one space to sort through and declutter. This can be as big or small of a project as you want, a drawer, a closet, or a room in your house. The important thing is you commit and follow through with decluttering one space.

I: “Intentions” 

For the third week of the month, I am re-reading The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz.  Years ago I used this book as a reading in one of the classes I taught to high school juniors and seniors.  It has been quite some time (decades) since I have thought about this book.  Its four guiding principles help to center a life and live a life of greater purpose. Sounds like the perfect middle of the month challenge and I’d love to hear your thoughts and intentions as we start to think about 2025.

Your turn: During the third week of September, begin reading The Four Agreements with me, or choose a book to help you explore your intentions for the year ahead. If reading isn’t your thing, sit down with a journal and begin to write about what your intentions (aka goals) are for the near future.

S: “Stillness” 

As I wrap up the month I hope to slow down to appreciate and celebrate a new year, a birthday, and 52 years on this earth and many more to come.  Often I buzz around with a to do list that is significantly longer than it could be.  I am learning to be still and to sit in silence, particularly the first moments to hour of the day.  It is in the stillness that often I find my best ideas and intentions come and I am excited to work on being still deliberately each day.

Your turn: During the fourth week of September, carve out 5 minutes of your day (morning, noon, or night - wherever you can fit it in) EVERYDAY and sit in complete silence. 

And while there really are only four full weeks of September, my birthday falls just after the last full week and “bliss” is five letters.  So here’s your last one for the day of September 30.

S: “Shine” 

Journal and reflect on how you can shine brighter and bolder in what’s left of 2024 and the year ahead.  Chris Sullivan said, “The word NAMASTE means ‘the light in me reflects the light in you’ and I think the thing that makes people attractive are the people who shine their light and the people who can recognize that light in others” and he couldn’t be more right.

Your turn: On September 30, ask yourself this question: “What things dim my light? And how can I avoid or overcome them?” And most importantly, “How can I shine brighter and bolder for the rest of 2024?”

This September, let’s commit to finding bliss through small, meaningful changes. Whether it’s establishing new routines, decluttering, setting intentions, or embracing stillness, the month ahead is full of opportunities to prioritize your health, happiness, and personal growth.