October always feels a little quieter. The rush of September settles, routines begin to take shape, and we start to find our footing in the rhythm of fall.

If this was your first September out of school, you might have noticed that it felt a little… weird. That odd transition when everyone seems to be going back to school while you’re heading into work like any other day. It can feel like a season that once marked change now just… continues.

That shift from student life to the working world can be surprisingly emotional. For years, September symbolized a fresh start — new classes, new goals, a new chapter. When that familiar rhythm disappears, it’s normal to feel a sense of loss or even mild disorientation.

The Psychology of Transitional Seasons
Psychologically, transitions like these highlight how our minds rely on seasonal anchors and predictable rhythms. Research in environmental psychology shows that seasonal cues — like changing light, weather, and routine — influence not only mood but also motivation and productivity (Rosen et al., 2020). When the meaning we’ve long attached to a season changes, our emotional response shifts too.

In particular, recent graduates experience what developmental psychologists call an emerging adulthood transition — a stage marked by exploration, instability, and identity redefinition (Arnett, 2000). Losing the structure of the academic calendar can leave young adults feeling uncertain about how to measure growth or success in their new routines. Recognizing that this is a developmentally normal experience can ease some of the discomfort and self-criticism that often comes with it. 

Now that September has passed, October becomes a natural time to pause and reflect — to notice what that shift brought up, and how you can move forward with intention rather than pressure. 

Using Fall Energy to Reset
Even though the back-to-school season is behind us, you can still channel that “new year” energy. Fall has a grounding, clarifying quality — the perfect backdrop for slowing down, getting organized, and setting realistic goals for the rest of the year.

Research on seasonality and goal pursuit suggests that people are more likely to initiate positive habit changes during natural transition points — sometimes called “temporal landmarks” (Dai, Milkman, & Riis, 2014). October, following a month of change, can serve as exactly that kind of psychological reset.

If you’re finding your footing, try:
• Reflecting, not rushing: Journal about how September felt for you — what came up, what surprised you, what felt different. Awareness is the first step to feeling settled.
• Creating your own structure: Without semesters or schedules, build your own seasonal rhythms — set quarterly goals, plan Sunday resets, or schedule monthly self-check-ins.
• Reclaiming motivation: If you felt a September surge of productivity, carry it forward. Choose one or two habits that align with where you want to go next.
• Embracing the shift: Remember, it’s okay if things feel different now. Growth often feels unfamiliar — but that’s what makes it meaningful.

Leanne Silva, BASc.  

References

Arnett, J. J. (2000). Emerging adulthood: A theory of development from the late teens through the twenties. American Psychologist, 55(5), 469–480. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.55.5.469

Dai, H., Milkman, K. L., & Riis, J. (2014). The fresh start effect: Temporal landmarks motivate aspirational behavior. Management Science, 60(10), 2563–2582. https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2014.1901

Rosen, L. N., Targum, S. D., Terman, M., Bryant, M. J., Hoffman, H., Kasper, S. F., … & Rosenthal, N. E. (2020). Prevalence of seasonal affective disorder at four latitudes. Psychiatry Research, 93(3), 173–181. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0165-1781(00)00126-7 

*This information is not intended to replace psychotherapeutic and/or medical advice or practices. They are for educational purposes only.