Today is the first day of August, which means if you turn on the TV or open a newpaper, you’re likely to see ads and commercials for back to school sales.
It’s my favorite time of year.
Ever since I was a child, there was something about that pre-back to school period that was so exciting to me. I loved imagining what the year would be like, and going shopping for new clothes and school supplies. Each outfit, each blank notebook felt full of possibility, and I could create a story in my head around each one.
In college, I couldn’t wait to get my class reading lists and I would line up the new books on my shelf, eager to get lost in them.
Of course, I ended up slogging through half of them, praying they would just end already. My writing rarely lived up to the shiny promise of those cute notebooks, and the Huk-a-Poo shirts my mom, sister and I waited on line outside an Orchard Street store to buy at a discount? Really?
But there was also always at least one book that impacted me, one notebook that housed words I wrote that impacted others, one outfit that empowered me.
So, every single year, although my kids are grown and I can’t even live vicariously through them any more, I still feel that same sense of anticipation and optimism when August comes.
I know spring is the season of renewal but, to me, that’s just the time when you reap the benefits. After all, spring is followed by “the lazy days” of summer. The flowers and vegetables are simply the “A” you get for having planted the seeds and tended the garden. The real work started back in the fall.
It makes sense to me that the Jewish New Year takes place in September. The air is crisp, invigorating and energizing. It’s the perfect time for a fresh beginning.
By January 1, after a chaotic holiday season, I’m more interested in hibernating than acting on a list of seemingly impossible resolutions.
As an empty nester, I love the idea that I literally can go back to school if I want to. There are thousands of classes available online, at local colleges and through groups like Road Scholar, which I’m planning to look into right now. What a luxury to be able to immerse myself in subjects that interest me without worrying about grades.
And I’m going to head to Staples to buy myself a new Moleskine notebook. They’re not shiny or cute but they’ve got a storied past and nice, thick pages that beg to be filled.
I’m also going to write my own reading list. This alone could fill that Moleskine, so maybe I’ll buy two.
And then I’m off to Anthropologie, although I doubt they’re having a back to school sale.
This post is supported by Life Reimagined, your guide to rethinking what’s possible and seizing your “what’s next” in work, relationships, health, personal finance and more. All opinions are my own.
I always started to get really nervous this time of year when I was a kid in school. I don’t like change.
Even though it’s a sign the summer will soon end, there’s also that feeling of hope at back-to-school. For me, anyway.
I’ll admit to wandering the back to school aisle in Target the other day…wistfully. Sigh. New note books and pencils, oh my.
This time of the year always gets me nervous because I always feel like there is so much to do and not enough time to do it in. There is a lot of preparation that needs to take place to get the kids ready for the first day of school in September.
I love Back to School time… As a homeschooler it means our favorite spots will soon be “Free” again lol
August 1st also happens to be our first day of school, we are taking it easy today and getting acquainted with what we will be doing the rest of the year.
I also love that “back to school” feeling but I’m not ready for it yet! I want more summer but it’s flying by like crazy.
I love BTS time, too. It’s diminished just a tad by having no kiddos nearby, but that just means I get to enjoy all the new opportunities myself. I think I’ll follow your lead and choose a class to attend, online or off. You’re never too old to head back to school, to learn new things, to expand your world and increase your knowledge.
Cheers!
Back to school was everything for me. I couldn’t sleep the night before. I was so excited to wear my outfit and show off my back to school gear too.
I am so glad there is not Back to School anymore in our house!
I love the fresh start the beginning of the school year brings. And I also love January 1. I get to start it off with a new planner. 🙂
I’m not looking forward to back to school. This has been a great summer with my girls. They have actually been nice to be around.
Usually summers are too hot and humid so I look forward to fall. Not this year!
I have to admit that I agree with you. Even though it’s a chore to make sure I’m getting everything on my kids’ lists, there is something really special about back-to-school season.
I feel like August is like “a new year” too. It’s a chance to get organized for school, work, or just home.
I’ve always loved Back to School season too. My Mom was a 5th grade teacher and there was always an excitement to getting back to school! New teacher, new classroom, old friends!
This is my son’s first “back to school” and I’m so nervous. I hope I do an okay job preparing him = )
I always looked forward to going back to school, I had an older sibling that was not nice at all so any time away from her was a blessing. Now that I am a mom, I dread it because I miss my oldest even though we argue a lot I love having him around.
My kids are grown, but I have fond memories of my daughter’s “fashion shows” with her new school clothes. Now, I get to take the grandkids shopping.
My daughter headed out this morning and she got some fantastic deals on back to school items! Shopping the sales has turned into a yearly hobby for us! I love shopping for back to school items – as a nana I buy the FUN stuff! Which makes it even more FUN for me!
I loved back to school when I was a kid too. Now it sadly means I see so much less of my grandkids.
This fall I do have a lot of changes to look forward too. I started doing some teaching last year and this year I will be facilitating workshops. I am nervously excited.
I have an obsession with pens, highlighters and notebooks. I love Staples.
Have a great weekend.
I loved going to school it was the one place I could always be invisible and no one cared i was around. I hid in the library all year.
When I was in school, I was always very excited for back to school time. This year is bitter sweet, all 5 of my babies will be in school. This will be the first time my house is empty and quiet in a long time.
This year is a change for our family now I will be homeschooling 3 children! It will be interesting!
I definitely don’t have that back to school feeling. It will be interesting to get back into the swing of things.
We’ve been doing back to school since July since school reopens in 2 weeks here in CO. Seems like just yesterday they were out now back they go.
I like this time of the year. I love buying stationary and pens and I love getting myself a new journal or planner at the same time.
I agree, getting everything ready again for school was always my favorite part of summer. You get to redesign yourself for the new upcoming year. New clothes, new materials, and a fresh start!
I have a love/hate relationship with this time of year. I hate knowing that summer is coming to an end, and that means less time to spend with my kids. However, I really do love shopping for all of the bts items!
I loved back to school as a kid all the way through high school & even undergrad. Grad school was a whole different story, haha!
I just finished back to school shopping (this is tax free weekend for us), and I’m not sure whether I enjoyed it or not….lol
That’s funny, I like Back to School, too, even though I’m not in school or have kids LOL Something about it just makes you feel like all is right with the world again LOL
Back to school was always my favorite time as a kid too. I loved school and getting all the new supplies I’d need for the year. This year my oldest goes to Kindergarten and I’m going back to college, so I’m feeling the same anticipation again and I love it.
Awesome post. My oldest will be going to school for the first time this year.
I remember being excited about back-to-school too. What fun it was to try on clothes and shop for school supplies!
I was the same way as a child. I looked forward to this time of the year. New stationery made me giddy with excitement. Nowadays, I still love stationery, but the excitement of a new school year slowly approaching wears off pretty quickly.
Thank goodness where I live it’s almost summer weather all year. I like getting all the back to school in motion. On the flip side, it reminds me how much more traffic there will be once school starts up. Yikes!
Back to school was always so exciting! I still love new school supplies.
I always loved back to school as a kid. My boys are less than thrilled to be starting in less than a month. LOL I don’t know why either.
Back to school was exciting for me too when I was younger! My kids share my enthusiasm!
Im currently doing my back to school shopping now.
It is time all the kids go back. Summer just got away from us.