If you have been walking around Target lately, you have seen the aisles of crayons and backpacks sprouting up like daisies. We have all felt it, either years ago or today! In the haze of long summer nights, it is hard to imagine the transition to a more rigid schedule. The mental load that is already full just gets more added on.

Even if you aren’t directly tied to the back-to-school season, the impacts are still there! From lower flexibility to traffic buildup, there is an overall shift into the school season often reminds us of the goals or tasks we put on the back burner during the summer.

To help get ahead of burnout, here is a list of our top tips and mindset shifts to help you proactively manage burnout triggers during the back-to-school season.

If you’re a fan of lists, check out our Boring Self Care Checklist to help stay on top of all those to-dos and feel less overwhelmed!

Time Management and Schedules

Now that you have found your rhythm for summer, it only makes sense that it’s time for a new schedule! It’s hard to dismiss the urge to soak in summer while we have it, and we all know what that first week of the BTS reality feels like. Time is our most valuable asset, which takes the biggest hit during the transition. Between the tips and mindset shifts, your mindset will be your biggest support when changing schedules. Here’s what to try and keep in mind!

Practical Tips and Tools:

• Home Command Center: Using tools like a dry erase calendar questions and offer a one-stop “command center” for schedules.
• Clocks and Visual Timers: Having easy to read clocks around the home and visual timers can help with time awareness.
• Visual Schedules: For recurring tasks like hygiene routines, pair a laminated list with a dry erase marker or use a pre-made visual schedule offers that boost when we cross the task off.
• Shared Calendar Apps: Sharing a schedule on apps like Google Calendar or Cozi can be an ongoing reference without the texts.
• Daily To Do Lists: Items like the Nine to Kind Daily Notepad offer a space to take what is on those bigger calendars or planners and gives you a birds eye view of the day ahead.
• Sunrise Alarm Clock: Get an alarm clock that is easier on your nervous system and helps with shifting your sleep routines.
• Protected Time Blocks: Having specific blocks of time weekly that cannot be occupied can create space for down time or self care.

Areas of Planner to Review

• Review your Year at a Glance section and fill in any major events (weddings, vacations, conferences, etc).
• Save or print everything that is a released schedule (School Year, Syllabus, Game Schedules, Work Deadlines, etc) and either have in your planner or saved on your desktop
• Write down “looking ahead” lists on each monthly or weekly section of the planner

Mindset Shifts

• Phasing: Divide the weeks between now and your transition day as phases for adjusting. These phases can be for bed/wake up times and daily obligations (drop off/pick up, sports schedules, etc).
• No 2 Days: If you have a tendency to stay up late, procrastinate, sleep in, etc-instead of focusing on consistency as a whole, focus on reducing the “off” time. For example, want to wake up by 8am? Focus on not sleeping in 2 days in a row, which can lead to 3-4 days a week waking up at the ideal time.
• Remember: It’s Not Life or Death: When we are overwhelmed, everything becomes important. Remember that emergencies are rarely not emergencies. Slow down and take perspective.

Communication

With the added tasks and changes, maintaining consistent communication is a way to maintain collaboration. Most of the time, ur frustrations are less about what did or didn’t happen but more about the communication (or lack thereof). Here are strategies to keep you and your people on the same page.

Tips and Stategies:

• Establish consistent check in times: Create an alarm for a daily check in text. These check ins are more logistics based for the present moment. Any bigger discussions need to be tabled for another time.
• Weekly Schedule Review: Review your schedule and write down where you have questions or need support. Either use a group message or meeting to review altogether.
• Collaborative Apps: Using an app like Slack or Group Me offer space from the text threads and have features that make it helpful for sharing (attaching PDFs, etc).
• Teachers/Staff Introductions: Send a quick note to teachers and support staff with an introduction and preferred means of communication. Make note of any potential concerns or focuses you will follow up about.

Mindset Shifts:

• No one can read minds: We are responsible for asking the questions and stating our point of view. Assuming one knows what’s happening is not fair for you or others involved. When in doubt, be clear and repetitive.
• Give the benefit of the doubt: If they are active but mess up, see it as a problem to solve collaboratively rather than a personal attack.
• Make “meetings” fun: Sit outside, grab a snack, or review schedules with your favorite beverage!

Task Management

So many things!!! The juggling act is so real and honestly it never gets easier. Bringing in creative solutions to manage our tasks can help reignite confidence in our own personal problem solving.

Outsourcing Tasks

• Lawn Care: Ongoing lawn cutting or single task support (mulch, cleaning debris, etc) can reduce the stress of making time or waiting for the right weather to get a task done.
• Laundry: Drop off or pick up laundry services can be a life saver if you are constantly moving through your laundry. Poplin or a local service are solid options!
• Organization: Some people hire an in-person or virtual assistant to help with organizing spaces (including email, etc) and streamlining their homes.
• Research: Use ChatGPT or a virtual assistant to research things like travel needs, getting quotes for services, gift ideas and more.
• Homecare: Having an ongoing relationship with a handyperson can be helpful when the DIY task is more complicated or time consuming. This can be helpful for repairs, painting, etc.
• Gas/Car Care: Apps like EZFill help you schedule a time where someone can fill up your car with gas while working or at home. Mobile car detailers are also a great option to get that crossed off your list while doing something else.
• Bookkeeping: Working on a budget? Hire a bookkeeper to get a baseline of your budget or for ongoing management.

Mindset Shifts:

• Just because you can doesn’t mean you should: There might be seasons of life (like this transition time) where having extra support is necessary. The goal here is to reduce burnout triggers, and these services exist for a reason.
• You are not lazy if you can’t do it all: No explanation needed.
• Supports might be more affordable than you think: Poplin’s laundry service is $1/lb of laundry! Do your research before assuming it is out of reach.

Meal Prep

I don’t know if back to school helps or makes meal prep even more overwhelming. The tactics listed here apply to most busy seasons in our lives so keep these in mind!

Hacks and Tools:

• WorkWeekLunch: WWL is a go-to for many busy people looking for low lift meal options. They have a subscription, book, and blog to help with meal planning.
• Bulk Orders from Restaurants: Many places are now offering family meal deals or bulk ordering. This can be helpful to reduce cooking time or stress!
• Grocery Delivery: Most groceries now have pickup or delivery options! Apps like HungryRoot also build their list off of meals so you have the chance to try new things.
• Pinterest Freezer Meals: Look up crockpot dinners or freezer meals on Pinterest. Make a double batch for current meal options and freeze the other portion.

Mindset Shifts:

• Simplify: Keep things simple during the transition. Eat the same meal if that helps. Make plans for a to-go/dinner out 1-2x a week.
• Collaborate: If you are part of a sports team, company or collective–consider collaborating on catering, community pot-lucks, or shared meal prep services for the times you are out of the house or staying late.

Physical Health

Y’all know everyones about to have the sniffles! There is often an influx of doctor’s visits in the Fall due to requirements for physicals and sicknesses. Here’s how you can get ahead of the BTS rush.

Tips and Tools

• Bundle or Bulk Order: Grab all of your necessities ahead of time. Make a shopping list in one of your apps so you don’t forget.
• Check prescriptions: Review your medication lists to see if any need renewal or a doctor’s visit. Consider mailing pharmacies to reduce pharmacy visits.
• WASH THOSE HANDS! Maintain consistent hand washing routines to reduce passing of illnesses and reduce likelihood of getting sick.
• Review and schedule appointments for the rest of the year: There is a rush during back to school followed by another rush of people trying to utilize their benefits at the end of the year. Get on the books before there is a major delay.

Stress Management

This is probably one of the biggest factors that impact the back-to-school transition. Stress is inevitable, so this is about how to maintain openness and flexibility during the transition time. This is where we focus on activities and tasks that bring ease into our daily lives.

Tips and Ideas

• Have a daily down time: Everyone goes to their quiet space or hangs out in the same room. Put on a timer for “doing nothing” or a grounding activity (drawing, reading, etc). Make this a non-negotiable.
• Get outside: Make an effort to have some outside time.
• Movement: Therapists and Doctors recommended consistent exercise/movement because it works. Find what you enjoy most and choose a secondary option when your favorites can’t happen.
• Don’t skimp on incorporated self care: Taking small breaks through your day or pairing a self care task with an obligation (ex: sparkling water while in pick up line) can bring ongoing ease into your day.

Mindset Shifts

• Radical Acceptance: Refocus on what “should” be and acknowledge that this time is stressful. Recognizing that the stress is part of it reduces feelings of shame.
• Keep it time-limited: Recognize that this stress will relieve itself and note actions you’re taking to support your future self.
• Prioritize: You have to establish a ranking system to assist with decision making. Levels of importance can vary and it will be context dependent.

Now that you have this list, make a commitment to 1-2 things you will try this coming week. If it feels over the top to start this early, you’re probably right on time.

The Nine to Kind Possibility Planner and Daily Notepad are your tools for navigating all the ups and downs of a busy life. Learn more about how Nine to Kind can be part of your burnout management routine.