The Beauty of Grey: September Reflections
🍂 Mixed feelings
September often brings mixed emotions. The seasonal shift is here: cooler breezes, earlier evenings, the occasional hoodie spotted in the street. And yet, everyone feels differently about it. Sometimes, we even feel conflicting things ourselves.
🕶️ Sandals, Suncream… and Hoodies
In sessions this past week, people have been remarking on the change: transitioning from straps and shorts into oversized comfort. Nostalgic for the smell of suncream, but already packing away sandals. Still applying the suncream and grabbing the hoodie, just in case. Not quite ready to say goodbye to slow mornings, but craving the structure of routine. Loving family time, while also secretly glad to hand over a few hours of responsibility to another adult.
⚖️ Both/And, Not Either/Or
We seem to live in a culture that pressures us to “pick a side.” Maybe it started with politics (I still blame Brexit here in the UK), but now it’s everywhere: sport, music, social media, aesthetics. It can feel weak or wrong to hold two truths at once, but of course, both can be true.
You can be sad to say goodbye to summer and excited for autumn.
You can be gutted waving your kids off at the school gate and thrilled for six hours of peace without hearing “muuuum!” or “daaad!”
You can miss the quiet of an empty office and be glad for the bustle when everyone returns, or even vote for a party and be irritated by their practice.
🎒 School Days, Mixed Feelings
For young people, school often comes with that same love/hate duality. Returning can be stressful, exciting, and full of contradictions. Reminding them that this is okay can help normalise their feelings. Some will struggle more than others, whether because of their needs, those around them, or how well the school environment fits. Making small, practical plans together can make the days easier, even if it doesn’t solve the “tyranny of education.” That might mean:
help getting up in the morning
setting reminders for PE days
a comfort object tucked in a pocket
sparkly highlighters for revision
checking in with a supportive staff member
sensory supportive clothing
a tasty snack
or simply a shared cuppa at home afterwards. (for little ones)
And where the environment is the barrier, advocate for reasonable adjustments such as quiet spaces, timetable tweaks, etc.
Recognise that for some, they will need bigger adjustments up to alternative specialised provisions.
🌈 Embracing Human Contradictions
And this isn’t just about school; it applies to all of life.
We can laugh and still feel low.
We can adore someone and also resent them.
We can love our career and dislike the daily grind.
Humans are gorgeously complex. Embrace it!