Finding Joy and Balance in the Chaos: How Mums Can Thrive This Autumn Term

The holidays are always a whirlwind — family adventures, picnics, endless sunscreen, and the occasional drama over who ate the last biscuit. Fun, action-packed, and at times exhausting, they can leave us feeling frazzled and off balance.

When the children finally head back to school, it’s a mix of relief and overwhelm.

How will we navigate the long autumn stretch as the nights draw in? For mums, especially during perimenopause, the days can feel longer and energy harder to manage.

Reset After the School Holidays: Finding Balance in the Chaos

Perhaps the reset we really need isn’t about routines or ticking off lists. Maybe it’s about shifting how we see our time, especially as autumn term begins and the pace of life picks up.

For so long, the “working week” has been defined as 9–5 — hours that belong to work, responsibilities, and other people’s needs. But what if the true reset comes when we start valuing the 5–9 instead?

Those evening hours, so often lost to autopilot, could be where life actually happens. It doesn’t have to be big or complicated. Sometimes it’s grabbing a pizza with one of the kids and realising the real treat isn’t the food, but the chance to hear their stories when they finally open up.

Other days it might be stealing half an hour to yourself — a quiet gym session, a solo walk, or even just closing the door with a book and ha face pack — and remembering that your energy matters too.

Even the most ordinary routines can shift when you look at them differently. Walking the dog, for instance, could be just another task to get through — or it could become a moving family meeting, where jokes, ideas, and plans for tomorrow bubble up naturally.

Ending the day by checking in with each other — asking, “What’s one thing you appreciated today?” — can transform bedtime from a blur of chaos into a moment of calm reflection, gratitude, and connection.

Perimenopausal Wins for Mums This Autumn

Small shifts create real wins:

• Anchor Your Evenings: Quiet tea, a short walk, or a few pages of reading signals self-care.

• Celebrate Tiny Victories: Getting everyone out the door on time or finding a moment for yourself counts. Celebrate it- you’ll start to see your perspective change in a short space of time.

• Reframe Tasks: jobs can become connection moments — chatting while tidying or cooking together.

• Share Gratitude: Asking your family what brought them joy today sparks calm, focus, and closeness.

These little practices help you thrive rather than just survive, turning the autumn term into a season of energy, connection, and joy.

Simple Steps to Reclaim Energy

• Own the 5–9 hours: Focus on moments that bring laughter, connection, or calm.

• Prioritise basics: Sleep, hydration, movement, and nourishing food matter most.

• Notice the small things: Fresh eyes on familiar routines can transform daily life.

🌸 If you’re ready to explore what’s really holding you back in midlife, start with my free workshop: An Introduction to Coaching: Reclaim your Spark and Ignite your next chapter. A simple first step to find the reset that’s right for you.

Perimenopause Doesn’t Have to Hold You Back — Here’s How to Thrive

Perimenopause can feel like a whirlwind — physically, emotionally, and mentally. For me, it became a time not just of change, but of growth. Navigating this stage has been about taking small, deliberate steps to rewrite my story and rediscover joy, confidence, and balance.

Here are three key areas that have helped me keep moving forward:

1. Mindset: Your Story is Yours to Write

“Life is a mirror and will reflect back to the thinker what they think into it.”

My journey began with how I viewed myself. I imagined who I would be in 20 years if I didn’t change — and I didn’t like what I saw. That realization sparked a choice: to rewrite this next chapter intentionally.

Perimenopause became an opportunity to see myself differently, to embrace a version of me I didn’t fully recognize, and to learn to love her. Each day, symptom, and change became a chance to move forward — no looking back.

2. Me Time: Exercise as a Non-Negotiable

“Nothing will work unless you do.”

Exercise has always been a cornerstone of my emotional and physical wellbeing. But with family responsibilities, I had to rethink what was realistic. I asked myself: If I can carve out hours for everyone else, why can’t I find 30 minutes a day for me?

That became my non-negotiable. Yoga, mindful movement, or a quick weights workout wasn’t just about weight management — it was about stress relief, confidence, and showing myself I mattered.

30 minutes a day for me is my non-negotiable. What’s yours?

3. Kindness: Be Your Own Ally

“Love yourself enough to take the actions required for your happiness.” — Dr. Steve Maraboli

As I prioritized mindset and movement, I learned the power of kindness toward myself. Perimenopause is a transformation — physically, emotionally, and mentally — and I needed to approach it with patience.

Instead of punishing myself for low energy, anxiety, or changing appearance, I started listening, understanding, and working with my body. Gentle, holistic practices like yoga aligned mind, body, and soul, and reminded me that progress doesn’t have to be extreme or instant.

By reframing my thinking, carving out time for myself, and practicing kindness, I began to truly thrive in this chapter of life.

Imagine yourself in 20 years: what story do you want to tell?

Perimenopause isn’t just a stage to endure — it’s an opportunity to grow, love yourself, and live intentionally.

Blog Post Title Three

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.

Blog Post Title Four

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.