C’est “La Rentrée”

The summer wellness curriculum I'm keeping for fall

→ can we just bottle up this summer vibe, please?

Last week was “La Rentrée” in Paris. This is a period that is bigger than just “back-to-school”. It’s what everyone (even the adults) refers to as the post-vacances big milestone…like the “new year” of the fall. And like New Year, it comes with its anticipations and goal-setting about how we can optimize our day-to-day lives, including our wellness.

I had a truly restorative summer. I spent it mostly in the countryside of Portugal with some beach and a bit of the city here and there. It was the type of summer where I could opt-in to socializing if I wanted, but could remain entirely wrapped up in a good book or writing my Morning Notes. And every day, I was lucky to have the time to truly build a new wellness routine that I am having trouble letting go of now that I am back in Paris. But that’s actually a good thing. It means the rituals worked as intended: to reset my nervous system and provide a sense of solace and comfort.

So in the collegial spirit, here are my top 5 wellness “electives” that I will be keeping this Fall:

1. Physical Education

→ The hills were alive alright!

I have my set workouts and running routes but I try to stay flexible depending on the weather, my cycle and my mood. Switching it up but with a plan. For fall, this would mean I may join a spontaneous text-invite for a run with my running club mates and switch out the pilates/barre/weights session I had planned for another day. Listening to my body is actually beneficial: mixing it up doesn't just prevent plateaus, it's tied to lowering the risk of a shorter lifespan, regardless of how much you already move.

2. Nutritional Studies

→ Same same but different

I’ve never been one to skip breakfast unless I was rushing for an early meeting and didn’t have time to pack one beforehand or grab something from the office cafe. But this summer I got really intentional with breakfast. While I waited for my overnight “fast” (basically 12-14 hours between dinner and breakfast) to end, I would get utter joy from preparing a multi-course “breakfast for the goddesses”. And while very un-French, a protein-rich breakfast isn't optional for midlife women…it's one of the simplest ways to fight muscle loss.

3. Extracurriculars

→ Yes, adults can have hobbies too

I am sure many of us working moms can relate to the Olympic sport that is anticipating, registering/queuing up for, then shuttling kids to their afterschool activities, but I am officially advocating for the same in adult size. I got back into tennis this summer after I stopped showing up to group classes last year because I was too stressed to enjoy it. Now mid-pivot, I am feeling amped to get back at it and I am not as rusty as I would have thought! I signed up for 10 duo lessons for the Fall to keep me accountable and engaged. And hobbies aren’t just an indulgence: they matter for healthy aging across sharper focus and cognition to IRL social connection.

4. Field Trips

→ A little bit of wanderlust never hurt anybody

Travel is so essential for inspiration for me. Even though we just got back, I am already making plans for little trips here and there. The novelty of discovering a new place genuinely helps boost mood and lowers stress hormones. When you start getting so caught up in work that summer vacation feels like it never happened, you can always look forward to the next trip.

5. Recess

→ Spontaneous open field picnic, anyone?

This summer, there were many days where I had absolutely nothing on the agenda. This is so rare for me and it was honestly so liberating. I need to incarnate this mantra: “unstructured time isn't wasted time.” And some days it just feels good to be a human being instead of a human doing.

*Extra Credit

No lesson or study here, just proof that noticing beauty in the small, in-between moments is its own kind of practice.

→ A little visual/aesthetic/creative fun

What are the summer rituals you are keeping this fall?