Finding the courage to make a fresh start in September

September has always signified a quiet shift for me. It’s evident in the crispness of the air, the softened light, and the way the days naturally fall into a steadier rhythm. Even though the calendar says the year is winding down, this month feels like a beginning. It’s not the noisy, resolution-filled start of January. It’s a gentler invitation, a chance to start over without the pressure to transform everything at once.

I didn’t always think of September as a fresh start. I used to save beginnings for the new year or life’s big turning points. But living with Huntington’s disease has shown me that I can’t wait for perfect timing. Change doesn’t always arrive with a dramatic announcement. Sometimes it slips in quietly, disguised as a small decision that shifts everything.

For me, the courage to start over rarely comes from sudden inspiration. It often begins with a quiet discomfort, a recognition that something in my life no longer fits. September amplifies that awareness. The season is built on transition. The air cools, routines steady, and nature reminds me that change is not only natural but necessary.

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Creating space for what’s next

When you live with Huntington’s disease, starting over can feel complicated. Some circumstances are fixed — my diagnosis won’t change — but that doesn’t mean I can’t begin again in other ways. I can choose to reframe my perspective, adjust my habits, or revisit a dream I’ve set aside. That’s where courage lives for me. It’s not about erasing what came before; it’s about believing there’s still room for possibility.

September’s change feels different from January’s because it isn’t fueled by pressure. Nature doesn’t rush. Trees let go of their leaves without apology, the sun sets earlier without hesitation. That natural rhythm gives me permission to let go of habits that drain me, routines that no longer work, and the idea that I have to hold on to everything I’ve outgrown. Letting go creates space for what’s next.

Sometimes my September fresh start is quiet, such as reshaping my morning routine, clearing my living space, or returning to a creative project. Other times, it’s bolder, such as making a decision about my personal goals, shifting how I manage my health, or stepping into a new advocacy role. The size of the change matters less than my willingness to try again.

I’ve learned that courage isn’t the absence of fear. It’s moving forward while fear still sits beside me. It’s picking up the pieces after disappointment, even when I’m not sure where they’ll fit. September gives me a softer space for that kind of bravery. The season doesn’t demand an overnight transformation; it offers a steady nudge that says, You can begin again now.

For years, I resisted starting over because I saw it as failure. If I had to try again, it meant I didn’t get it right before. But nature doesn’t see renewal that way. The leaves don’t apologize for falling. The seasons don’t apologize for changing. If the natural world is allowed to shift without shame, why shouldn’t I be?

Starting over is also about trust. Trusting that I’ve learned from the past, that I can carry those lessons forward, and that I am allowed to evolve. Some changes will last, others will fade. Both are part of the process. What matters is meeting myself where I am now, not where I think I should be.

This September, I’m leaning into that trust. I’m paying attention to moments when I feel ready to reset, and I’m letting myself follow them. I’m creating space in my life where hope feels at home, listening more closely to what I truly need, and accepting that change doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful.

The beauty of a September fresh start is its simplicity. It doesn’t ask for perfection. It asks for openness, for the willingness to step into the next chapter without erasing the one before it. The courage comes in saying “I’m ready to begin again” and trusting that even small shifts can alter the course of a season or a life.

As the air turns crisp and the days slow, I’m reminded that beginnings can happen anytime. They aren’t tied to the first day of the year or a grand moment. Sometimes they arrive in the quiet turning of a month, or in the soft decision to try again. That is the heart of September for me: a reminder that the courage to start over is always within reach, and that each new season holds the chance to meet myself in a new way.

Note: Huntington’s Disease News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Huntington’s Disease News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Huntington’s disease.