You've Made It to October – Here's How to Finish This Year Strong (Even When the Days Get Shorter)
- Brainz Magazine
- Oct 2
- 7 min read
Updated: Nov 7
Written by Amy Kelly, Strategic Life and Business Coach
Amy Kelly is a Breakthrough & Confidence Coach, the founder of The Dreamy Reset Life, helping young women rebuild after heartbreak or burnout and design a life rooted in self-worth, freedom, and a bold vision for a future they truly love.
Have you ever found yourself in early October, looking at the calendar and thinking, "Where did this year go?" Maybe you've been pushing aside moments of exhaustion or ignoring the voice that says you're not doing enough. Maybe you're beginning to question whether you'll ever feel like yourself again. Keep reading to discover why these next three months matter more than you think.
The reality check nobody's talking about
October hits differently when you're navigating your twenties or thirties. The leaves are changing, the year is winding down, and suddenly you're taking inventory. What have I even done with these past ten months?
But here's what I need you to remember as we head into the final quarter, you've already survived 275 days of 2025. You've weathered challenges that would have broken your younger self. You've made it through difficult conversations, sleepless nights, uncertain moments, and days when getting out of bed felt like a victory.
Nearly half of professionals in their 20s and 30s experience at least one major job change, and that's just in careers. Add in relationship endings, relocations, identity shifts, and the general chaos of becoming who you're meant to be, and it's no wonder you feel exhausted.
Here's another truth, according to CNBC, a report on workplace burnout shows that 48% of 18-to-29-year-olds said they feel drained, while women report higher rates than men, 46% compared to 37%. So, if you're feeling like you're running on empty as we head into autumn, you're not imagining it. You're part of a generation carrying an unprecedented load.
Related article: Burnout is on the rise worldwide – and Gen Z, young millennials and women are the most stressed
What does progress actually look like?
Maybe you're looking at your life right now, thinking you should be further along. Maybe the year didn't unfold the way you planned. Maybe you're dreading winter because the shorter days amplify everything you're trying not to feel.
If you're nodding along, you're not alone. And you're not behind.
The truth is, growth isn't linear, and progress isn't always visible. Sometimes the biggest transformations happen in the quiet moments when you choose yourself over people-pleasing, when you set a boundary that felt impossible six months ago, or when you stay home on a Friday night because you actually want to, not because you have to.
Take a moment, really take a moment, and think about January. Who were you then? What were you worried about? What felt overwhelming?
Now look at where you are today. I'm willing to bet you've:
Had at least one conversation you were terrified to have
Made a decision without asking everyone else's opinion first
Survived a day that felt unbearable at the time
These aren't small things. These are the building blocks of a life lived on your own terms.
What is the 1% method?
The 1% Method is a sustainable approach to personal growth that focuses on being just 1% better than yesterday. One small choice, one tiny shift, one gentle step forward. It's not about dramatic transformations or overwhelming yourself with change, it's about consistent, nervous-system-friendly progress that actually sticks.
How does the 1% method work in real life?
The 1% Method is a sustainable approach to growth that focuses on being just 1% better than yesterday. One small choice, one gentle step forward. Not dramatic transformations, but consistent progress that sticks.
Why it works:
It meets you where you are. Bad day? Your 1% might be drinking one extra glass of water. Good day? Maybe it’s the phone call you’ve been avoiding.
It builds evidence, not pressure. Every action is proof that you can trust yourself.
It works with your nervous system, not against it. Tiny changes don’t overwhelm your brain the way big ones do.
When does breathwork become part of the 1% method?
When overwhelm hits, your breath is the fastest route back to yourself. Research shows that slow, controlled breathing improves emotional regulation, reduces anxiety, and supports heart health.
Try this 1% practice:
Inhale for 4 counts
Hold for 4 counts
Exhale for 6 counts
Repeat 5 times
Two minutes is all it takes to calm your body before your mind even catches up.
What are the differences between quick fixes and sustainable change?
Quick fixes promise overnight transformations and dramatic results. The 1% Method promises something better, lasting change that doesn't require you to become someone you're not.
Quick fixes work with motivation, which comes and goes. The 1% Method works with tiny habits that build, regardless of how motivated you feel on any given day.
Quick fixes leave you feeling worse when you can't maintain them. The 1% Method meets you exactly where you are and builds from there.
7 ways to practice the 1% method this final quarter
For your mind: Five minutes of journaling before bed, or one voice note to yourself on your morning walk. Let your thoughts land somewhere outside your head.
For your body: Three deep breaths at your desk, or try the 4-4-6 breathing technique while your coffee brews. Movement doesn't have to mean the gym.
For your space: Clear one surface, light one candle, charge your phone outside your bedroom. Your environment shapes your nervous system.
For your relationships: Send one text to check in, or practice saying "let me think about it" instead of automatically saying yes. Boundaries are self-care.
For your joy: Notice one beautiful thing each day: the way autumn light hits your wall, the first sip of something warm, or a song that makes you feel alive.
For your future Self: Make one decision without polling your group chat, then honor it for 24 hours. Trust yourself first.
For your energy: Protect your calendar like it's currency. Not every event, every conversation, or every opportunity deserves your yes.
How do you navigate shorter days when you're already rebuilding?
The transition into autumn and winter hits differently when you're already in transition. Whether you've moved cities, ended relationships, started new jobs, or simply grown out of old versions of yourself, the darker evenings can amplify the loneliness.
Here's how to gently navigate through:
Create anchor points in your week. Sunday morning coffee ritual. Wednesday evening walk while there's still light. Friday night cooking experiment. Something that belongs to you.
Get strategic about daylight. Even ten minutes outside before noon can shift your entire day. Your mood follows light, work with your biology, not against it.
Build in white space. Rest isn't lazy. It's where integration happens. Protect time for nothing.
Does the 1% method work when you're exhausted?
Yes. Actually, that's when it works best. The 1% Method was designed for your lowest-energy days. When you're exhausted, burned out, or running on empty, you don't need a bigger goal, you need a smaller one.
When that voice gets loud and tells you you're not doing enough, not healing fast enough, or not figuring it out quick enough (it's lying to you).
Progress isn't always visible. Sometimes the most important work happens in the pause, in the breath, and in the moment you choose gentleness over forcing.
A 3-day reset to carry you into Q4
Keep it small. Keep it kind. Keep it yours.
Day 1: Reflection: Write down three things you've overcome this year. Really sit with how far you've come.
Day 2: Light: Go outside before noon, even if it's grey. Ten minutes of daylight can shift your entire nervous system.
Day 3: Nourishment: Cook one simple meal, eat at a table, no screens. Be fully present with nourishing yourself.
Early recognition matters
You've already survived the hardest parts of this year. You've already proven you can handle uncertainty. You've already shown up when it mattered most.
These next three months aren't about catching up or making up for lost time. They're about honouring the woman who got you this far and gently becoming the woman you're meant to be.
You've got this. Not because it's easy, but because you've already proven you can do hard things.
The evidence is in every day you've survived this year. The proof is that you're still here, still trying, still choosing to show up for yourself. That's more than enough.
If you've noticed any of these feelings in yourself, the exhaustion, the sense of falling behind, the dread of shorter days, it may be time to try something different.
Transform your final quarter into your comeback story
As your dedicated Life Reset and Confidence Coach, I'm here to guide you every step of the way. Let's work together to create a personalised roadmap tailored to your unique challenges, strengths, and vision for who you're becoming. With my expertise and support, you'll embark on a transformative journey towards self-trust, sustainable growth, and a life that feels authentically yours again.
You don't have to figure this out alone. You don't have to wait until January to feel like yourself again. The woman you're meant to be is already inside you. Let's help her emerge, 1% at a time.
Message "reset" on LinkedIn & Instagram today to receive your free 7-day gentle reset guide, designed specifically for the final quarter of 2025. Let's make these next three months count.
Follow me on Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info!
Read more from Amy Kelly
Amy Kelly, Strategic Life and Business Coach
Amy Kelly is a Life Coach and guide who created The Dreamy Reset Life a transformational platform for Women navigating heartbreak, burnout or major life transitions. After experiencing early divorce and personal reinvention through global travel and deep self-healing, Amy now helps Women reclaim their identity and confidence. Her signature Reset-To-Rise method guides clients to emotional clarity, empowered vision, and freedom-filled lives they are truly in love with. Her mission is to help every young woman recognize her worth, rebuild confidence from the inside out, and boldly chase the life of her dreams.
