The back-to-school season signals a change for everyone, not just students. The rhythm of summer, with its late nights and lazy beach days, gives way to structure. Author Amy Schmidt believes this is the perfect moment for a “fall reset.” Her new book, “Creating The Right-Sized Life,” offers a guide to adjusting your life to your current reality, not the one from five years ago. The core philosophy is simple: right-sizing is not about having less, it’s about having what fits.
Schmidt’s five steps are refreshingly practical. First, pick one small physical space, like a dresser drawer or a kitchen cabinet, and clear out what no longer belongs. Second, review your calendar commitments with a critical eye. Ask yourself if you would sign up for that meeting, that volunteer shift, or that dinner today. If the answer is no, it’s time to step back. Third, take stock of your energy levels. What drains you and what gives you fuel? Fourth, look at your relationships and make sure the important ones are getting your best time, not your leftovers.
Finally, Schmidt encourages you to claim something for yourself. A class at Ringling, a regular tennis game, or even just thirty minutes on the porch with coffee. These steps are low-effort and high-impact. For Suncoast residents, where the pace of life is a feature, not a bug, this reset is about protecting that lifestyle. Will you try any of these steps this September? What’s the one thing you’d want to reclaim for yourself?
