How to Improve Your Productivity and Happiness This Autumn

A new Pinterest report reveals how people are getting organised after the summer break

Posted on

28 August 2019

| Last updated on 29 August 2019

4 Ways to Improve Your Productivity and Happiness This Autumn

All Credits: PA

As anyone who’s ever tried to stick to a New Year’s resolution can tell you, it’s hard.

January is a challenging month anyway, what with the post-Christmas slump, dreary weather and a lack of sunlight. Throw in an attempt to cut down on booze or get to the gym more and it’s no wonder so many of us fall at the first hurdle, giving up within weeks, if not days.

Maybe that’s why September now being called ‘second New Year’, the time when people decide to make positive changes in their lives, knowing that they’re much more likely to succeed when it’s still relatively sunny and we’re feeling refreshed after a summer holiday.

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That’ll do. September is kinda like a second new year isn’t it?! It’s just around the corner and feels full of potential. New term, new projects, new impetus to move forward with things before the end of the year. But here’s the bit that makes my head spin: being the actual adult who has to make the decisions all by yourself! Especially when it comes to the big stuff like moving house or job changes!! Life was so much easier when there was a grown-up to decide for you! I can’t help but thinking ‘it’s better to regret the things you’ve done, than regret the ones you haven’t’... doesn’t make it less daunting though.

A post shared by CLEMMIE TELFORD (@clemmie_telford) on Aug 26, 2019 at 12:48am PDT

According to research from Pinterest, searches for terms such as ‘organisation’, ‘positivity’ and ‘goal setting’ spike twice every year, first in January and then in September, as users of the social site start to get in gear after the summer break.

“Over the years, we’ve seen the end of summer become a distinct and significant moment on Pinterest when people want to make personal changes to refresh their routines, set goals, get organised and most importantly, stay positive,” says Enid Hwang, culture and community manager at Pinterest.

“We call this mindset ‘back to life’ and find that people have a specific intent around what they’re thinking and feeling.”

The Back to Life report reveals that 66% of respondents feel more joyful and energised in the summer and 55% are looking for ways to maintain their positive summer mindset throughout the following months.

Are you one of them? Then you’ve come to the right place, because we’ve got some suggestions for how to use summer as a springboard for a happier, healthier autumn.

Inspired by Pinterest, here are four ways to embrace New Year in September…

#HappyNewYear #September the second ‘unofficial ‘ new year.....because admit it, many of you start your #newyearsresolutions over again.

— Gloria-Anne Richards (@gloannerichards) September 4, 2018

1. Budgeting

Feeling a bit thrifty after an indulgent summer? You’re not alone. The Pinterest report shows that searches for ‘budgeting finances’ are up a massive 3,298% this year compared to last, with 26% of those surveyed saying they would like to better manage their finances as they prepare for autumn.

Just like getting into a routine with exercise or your diet, it takes time to form healthy money habits. Using a household budget chart can help to identify any bad habits and avoid them in future.

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August Budget With Me is up on zee youtubes! Happy weekend guys, I hope you all have a good one! . . #budget #budgeting #everydollarbudget #budgetwithme #budgetplanner #monthlybudget #planner #planning #planwithme #erincondren #deluxemonthlyplanner #budgetspread #writtenbudget #daveramsey #debtfreejourney #babystep2 #householdbudget #financialpeace #august #youtube #plannercommunity #debtfreecommunity #planneraddict #plannerstickers

A post shared by Caffeinated Cait (@caffeinated_cait) on Jul 27, 2019 at 6:28am PDT

2. Body positivity

Feeling good about yourself doesn’t have to involve attempting to change your body or appearance, it’s about self-acceptance and learning to love yourself outside and in.

To that end, there has been a spike in searches on Pinterest for ‘acne positivity’ (up 193%), stretch marks positivity (163%) and body hair positivity (158%).

If you’re feeling insecure about something, seek out social media accounts that promote positivity and self-love – you’ll find whole communities of supportive, like-minded people sharing their own experiences and offering advice and encouragement.

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So my acne isn’t that bad...anymore. Some of it healed naturally with time. What I have left, I believe is hormonal and because of my poor skin routine. Yes, lately I’ve been forgetting to remove make-up before going to sleep. And I’m wearing make-up like every day. I forget to wash it off at night, then I wake up, wash it off and put it on again. Today is kindoff my first day off of make-up I’ll start this journey with you guys. From the beginning. Let’s cure acne naturally together. I’ll start with taking off my make-up every night and having more days off. Also changing my diet. (Less junk, more veggies, water, good fats) And taking vitamin c & zinc effervescent tablets. I’m willing to try everything. So if you have any recommendations, comment below #cureacne #skin #glowingskin #acne #acnepositivity #acnetreatment #pimples #f4f #l4l #beautiful #skincare #healacne #vitaminc #vitamind #water #love #nomakeup #womanpower #acnejourney #noaccutane #iwokeuplikethis

A post shared by @ justmyskinstory on Aug 27, 2019 at 2:42am PDT

3. Home organisation

The Marie Kondo effect is still in full force as people attempt to follow the Japanese author’s advice for decluttering their houses – searches for ‘organisation videos’ are up 230%.

Want to do the same? Kondo says that clothing should always come first, so start by going through your wardrobe and pulling out all the clothes that don’t fit or you never wear anymore then give them away to friends or charity. Once you’ve got your wardrobe sorted you can start on other areas of your home.

4. Travel planning

You may have just come back from your summer holiday, but it’s never too soon to start planning your next big trip. Searches for ‘travel dreams’ have risen by 2,178% on Pinterest as users compile their destination bucket lists

Having a holiday ‘mood board’ on a social site can help to narrow down your choices, and if you’re looking at a pricey long-haul trip you might want to combine it with some budget planning to stay on track with your travel goals throughout the year.

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Inspiring photos from our inspiring employees. Vietnam through the lens of @BrentTraut #WorldPhotographyDay Inspiration by Brent Traut. : Link in bio

A post shared by Pinterest (@pinterest) on Aug 19, 2019 at 10:21am PDT