Turning Over A New Leaf

ByJulie Klassen
4 Comments

Hear that? That’s the collective sound of many people turning over a new leaf—myself included.

Some people think of January as the time for change and resolutions, but for me this year, it’s autumn.

I love autumn leaves—especially red ones! (Getty images)

Labor Day has passed, the symbolic end of summer, and the temperatures are cool and crisp (at least here in Minnesota). The new school year has started (although it looks different this year and presents many challenges to teachers, parents, and students alike). And it’s time to put away the white capris and pull out jeans again. Jeans that no longer quite fit.

Summer has always been a time I tend to fall out of routines and this year all the more with COVID extending our “time off,” so to speak. For me, it’s been months of too much junk food, too much television, too much self-indulgence and not enough self-discipline.

Love this quote and drawing. (Available as wall art from Etsy.)

Even though my sons are grown, I’ve resolved to “send myself back to school,” and return to something resembling normal routines: Cooking healthier meals (hello vegetables, I’ve missed you!), exercising more, spending more consistent time in God’s word, and working regular hours.

What about you—does the end of summer signal any changes for you this year? Are you ready to turn over a new leaf, too?

Discover more from Inspired by Life . . . and Fiction

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

JULIE KLASSEN loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. She worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. Three of her novels have won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in St. Paul, Minnesota.

4 Comments

  1. My kids haven’t been attending school AT school since March and I’ve found that, in some ways, that’s caused our healthy routines to blow away on the breeze. Like you, I think it’s time to return to some rhythms that benefit our well-being. For example, I’m SO EAGER to get out of this house!!

  3. this is a good post. Becky I totally get what you are saying. I have two nieces whos kids are in school at home. It has been tough and rewarding. I feel like every season is a new season to begin all over again. Something about each season has me taking another look at myself and around me.

  4. Gosh, Julie – it’s relief to know that someone else’s jeans are now “snug-ish” (too much ice cream, I’m sure). And in Eastern Washington I can only blame that lack of exercise on the heat. So I’m with you – I do love Fall and all that it brings – cooler air, lots of color and hopefully rain to put down our wildfires. You’ve expressed that wonderful and much anticipated change well.

Comments are closed.