A September Check-In: What Might You Need More Of, Less Of, or More Space For?
Updated: Sep 15
September can be a great time to pause and notice where you are at right now.
With the final months of the year approaching, you may find yourself reflecting on how the year has been unfolding. Perhaps you've been busy with work, relationships, family, study, or everyday responsibilities. Perhaps things have unfolded differently from what you expected, or perhaps you simply haven't had much opportunity to think about it.
There is no particular way you are supposed to feel at this point in the year.
Rather than turning September into another deadline for achieving, changing, or “getting things together”, it can simply be an opportunity to check in with yourself.
How have things been feeling for you lately?
Not a Year-End Review — Just a Moment to Notice
When we think about wellbeing, it can be easy to focus on what we should be doing more of: things like exercising, sleeping better, being more productive, spending more time with others, or making healthier choices.
These things can contribute to wellbeing, but our psychological wellbeing is much broader. Our psychological wellbeing can be influenced by our relationships, circumstances, physical health, thoughts, emotions, environment, sense of purpose, and our connection with others.
The World Health Organization describes mental health as a state of mental wellbeing that supports our ability to manage life's stresses, recognise our abilities, learn and work well, and contribute to our communities.
Our needs can also change over time. What supported you earlier this year may not be what you need now. Your priorities may have shifted, your circumstances may have changed, or you may simply have a different perspective than you did a few months ago.
That isn't necessarily a sign that something needs to be fixed. Sometimes, it is simply part of being human, and being on a human being journey.
What Would You Like a Little More Of?
Instead of asking yourself what you should be doing, consider asking:
“What would I like to make a little more room for?”
For some people, this might be more time with people they care about. For others, it might be more time for rest, creativity, movement, time outdoors, meaningful work, quiet moments, or activities that help them feel connected to themselves.
It could also be something less tangible — such as more confidence, clarity, flexibility, support, or space to think.
There is no universal answer. What contributes to one person's wellbeing may be quite different from what another person needs. And - what you need may change across different stages of life.
A Gentle Reflection
Take a moment and complete the sentence:
“I would like a little more ______ in my life.”
Don't worry about finding the perfect answer. What’s the first thing that comes to mind? Perhaps it’s rest, connection, time, support, confidence, play, purpose, or simply space.
You don't need to turn your answer into a goal. Sometimes noticing what you need is enough and can be meaningful in itself.
What Could You Make a Little Less Room For?
Sometimes caring for ourselves isn't about adding something else to an already full schedule. It can be about noticing what has been taking more energy than we would like.
Perhaps there has been ongoing pressure, overcommitting, constant comparison, difficulty switching off from work, or a tendency to place other people's needs ahead of your own.
These patterns often develop for understandable reasons. Being dependable may be important to you. Staying productive may give you a sense of structure. Saying yes may be part of how you show care for other people.
Rather than asking, “Why am I like this?”, you might gently ask:
“Is this still working for me?”
That question can create room for curiosity rather than self-criticism.
What Have You Been Making No Space For?
There is a difference between needing more of something and needing space for something.
You may not need another activity, commitment, or goal. Perhaps you need space to think about a decision, notice how a relationship is feeling, process a change, or reconnect with something that matters to you.
Or perhaps you need space to simply rest without feeling that you have to earn it.
Mindfulness and reflective practices can support this kind of awareness by helping us pay attention to our thoughts, feelings and experiences with greater curiosity and less judgement. Healthdirect provides information about mindfulness and how it can be incorporated into everyday life.
You might ask yourself:
“What have I been meaning to make space for?”
You don't have to know immediately.
Your Needs Can Change
One of the useful things about checking in with yourself is recognising that your needs are not necessarily fixed.
Life changes, and we change alongside it.
A period of increased responsibility at work may require different boundaries from a quieter period. Changes in relationships, family life, health, work, or personal circumstances can influence what feels important and what kind of support may be helpful.
Psychological wellbeing isn't about feeling positive or calm all the time. It can involve recognising and responding to a range of emotions, maintaining meaningful connections, adapting to change, and making choices that are consistent with what matters to you.
If something that mattered to you six months ago feels less important now, you don't necessarily need to judge that change.
You might simply be learning more about yourself, or things may have changed.
A Few Questions to Carry Into Spring
If you have a few quiet minutes, you might reflect on one or two of these questions:
How have I been feeling lately?
What has been taking most of my attention?
What has been giving me energy or a sense of connection?
What, if anything, has felt different lately?
What would I like to make more room for?
What could I make a little less room for?
What matters to me at this stage of my life?
Is there something I would like to understand a little better?
You don't need to answer all of them. This isn't a test, and there is no “right” way to reflect. Just ask one or two and then notice.
You Don't Have to Change Everything
Reflection can sometimes turn into another form of self-improvement. We notice something and immediately think, “I need to fix that.”
But awareness doesn't always have to lead straight to action.
Perhaps you realise you've been giving a lot of your attention to other people. Perhaps you've noticed that work has been occupying more mental space than you'd like. Perhaps you've recognised that you want more connection, rest, or time for yourself.
Or perhaps you realise that, despite life's challenges, there are parts of your life that feel meaningful and worth appreciating.
All of these observations can be useful.
You don't have to turn them into a list of things to accomplish before December.
If You'd Like Some Support
Sometimes, taking a moment to reflect brings up questions that are easier to explore with another person.
You may want to better understand a recurring pattern, navigate a period of change, develop strategies for managing stress or anxiety, explore relationship or workplace concerns, or simply have space to reflect on where you are and what matters to you.
Psychological support can be a collaborative process. You don't need to have everything figured out before beginning. Together with a psychologist, you can explore your experiences, consider what matters to you, and identify approaches that are appropriate for your circumstances.
At Your Local Psychologist, Dr Nat provides evidence-based, compassionate online psychology services for adults across Melbourne and Australia.
If you would like to learn more about psychological support or make an enquiry, you are warmly welcome to visit:
A Thought for September
As the year continues, perhaps you don't need to ask yourself:
“What else do I need to achieve before the year is over?”
You might instead ask:
“What would I like to make space for in the months ahead?”
There may be something you want more of, something you want less of, or something you simply want to understand a little better.
You don't have to have all the answers.
Sometimes, giving yourself a little space to notice where you are can be enough for now.
REFERENCES:
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2025). Australia's health 2024: Mental health.
Provides Australian data and information about mental health, wellbeing and the broader factors that influence health and wellbeing.
Australian Psychological Society. (2023). Protect your physical and emotional wellbeing with self-care.
Provides information about caring for physical and emotional wellbeing and recognising the demands that can affect wellbeing.
Beyond Blue. (n.d.). Wellbeing.
Provides practical information about mental wellbeing and ways of supporting wellbeing in everyday life.
Healthdirect. (n.d.). Mental health and wellbeing.
Provides Australian health information about mental health, wellbeing and factors that can support psychological wellbeing.
Healthdirect. (n.d.). Mindfulness.
Provides information about mindfulness and ways it can be incorporated into everyday life.
World Health Organization. (2025). Mental health.
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