Back-to-School Survival Kit (Nervous System Edition)
Early September sunshine, Catherine and Lola on their habitual morning stroll — a small, predictable anchor in the day’s rhythm, grounding both human and dog alike.
Written from the corner of my sofa, surrounded by crumbs, coffee rings, and a dog who considers every surface, sock, and snack fair game.
Happy September! One minute you’re still in flip flops, slurping ice cream and soaking up summer. The next, you’re scrambling to remember passwords, jotting down schedules, and silently wishing biscuits were an acceptable currency for surviving week one.
And if you’re like me, September doesn’t just bring new shoes - it brings new worries.
Will the children settle? Will we all remember our passwords? Will caffeine become its own food group before lunchtime?
Our nervous systems? Not thrilled. Chaos, uncertainty, new routines, new colleagues, new timetables, even the weather that can’t make up its mind…no wonder we all feel a bit wobbly.
Lola’s Guide to Chaos Management
Enter Lola: English Cocker Spaniel, professional chaos manager, and my furry life coach. She doesn’t check the diary, stress about next Thursday, or colour code her world. She just…anchors herself in rhythm.
Breakfast. Sniff every lamppost. Walk. Nap (like it’s an Olympic sport). Repeat.
Even when seasons shift, routines wobble, and life suddenly feels like juggling fireballs while wearing roller-skates, Lola leans on those tiny, predictable anchors. And somehow, her nervous system stays steady. Watching her, I think: Why do we humans make this so hard?
Tiny Anchors That Actually Work
You don’t need 47 slides or a colour coded spreadsheet to survive September. Lola approved anchors are simpler than that…and far more fun.
Breakfast of champions – Whether it’s toast slathered in marmite or porridge that looks like cement, pick one and stick to it. It’s like telling your brain, “Chill, we’re just eating the usual, no dragons to slay yet.”
Micro naps / dance breaks – Before you dash out the door, hop on a Zoom call, or face that ‘we need to talk’ moment, give your brain a quick boogie break. Take five for a deep breath, a slurp of tea, or a silent rendition of Baby Shark (no judgement).
Check in rituals – A cheeky morning wink, a “laters!” wave, or a post school “spill the tea” chat with your kid. These tiny moments are like a warm hug for your frazzled soul.
Transition talismans – A smooth pebble in your pocket, a mug that’s basically your best mate, or that one pen you swear has magical powers because it never smudges. Adults need their lucky charms just as much as kids do!
Wiggle breaks – Channel your inner pup with a stretch, a skip, or a full on kitchen dance off to ABBA. Get that body moving, and watch your brain stop throwing a tantrum.
The beauty? None of this is rigid. Lola changes her walks, her snacks, even her nap spots. The rhythm matters more than the route.
Survival? Nah. Thrival.
September doesn’t have to eat you alive. You don’t need the term planned in 47 PowerPoints. You don’t need to pretend it’s all fine while silently screaming into your tea.
You just need one anchor at a time. One steady moment. One rhythm that whispers: “We’ve got this.”
And that, my friends, is not just survival. That’s how you start to thrive.
Closing Thought
So whether you’re a teacher dodging staffroom politics, a pupil facing new classmates, or a parent waving through tears, do it Lola style: anchored, steady, and with a snack stash for emergencies. Chaos optional, custard creams mandatory.
Calm isn’t perfection. Calm is rhythm. And rhythm? That’s what carries us through the chaos.
#BeMoreLola #AllIsWellApproach #BackToSchool #GentleRoutines #NervousSystemSupport
