September always feels like a reset month to me. Both of my parents have their birthdays this month, which makes it feel extra meaningful.
When I was little, I remember asking, “Did Dad used to be somebody?!” He was always around celebrities, and his face was even on mugs. To me, he was just my dad. Now I see he always has been somebody. He is inspiring, grounded, and one of the most loving dads and papas we could ever ask for.
Maybe that is why September feels like a good month to talk about self care. It happens to be National Self Care Awareness Month too. I love that because this time of year naturally invites us to slow down, reflect, and create routines that support us. And today is the autumn equinox so even better to practice slowing down this week.
For working moms, self care can feel impossible. But it really can be something simple. It might look like sitting outside for five minutes between meetings, starting the morning with a cup of coffee before the house wakes up, or saying no to something that drains you. It could be a short walk, a yoga flow, or just writing down three things you are grateful for at the end of the day.
These little practices matter, they add up, they help us let go of what is not serving us, just like the trees do when they release their leaves each fall. Nature is reminding us that releasing is part of growth.
That is the energy I want to carry this season. I don’t want to hustle through the rest of the year. I want to finish it with clarity, calmness, and feel my nervous system is regulated and peaceful.
So maybe September is not only about celebrating my parents’ birthdays, maybe it is also an invitation for all of us to pause and give ourselves permission to care for the person we usually put last on the list. Ourselves.
Self care is not selfish. It is how we keep showing up, season after season.
Nikki Lanigan
Nikki Lanigan is a yoga, HIIT, and Barre instructor, she is also a Holistic Health Coach through Institute of Integrative Nutrition. Nikki is trained in Yoga Shred, Yoga Psychology, meditation, chakra balancing, and EFT/Tapping. She has done trainings with Sadie Nardini and Ashley Turner. She got her 200 hour yoga teacher training in 2017 at the Carrie Treister School Of Yoga. Nikki takes a holistic view of health, helping her students and clients reach a place of self-love not just through movement, but with mindset and lifestyle guidance as well. Nikki is also show prep writer for The McVay Media Show Prep and host of the podcast Fit, Fun, and Frazzled. Connect with Nikki on Instagram. www.instagram.com/nikkilanigan.yogaandwellness www.instagram.com/fitfunandfrazzledpodcast
