Deciding what to wear the first day back at school each year was a critical task. It had to perfectly express the new version of us—the one who had blossomed and transformed into a cooler version over the summer, which means we couldn’t look like we were trying too hard (a task that proved to be difficult, because most of us were trying really, really hard to be anyone other than ourselves). 

September always ushers in a sense of new beginnings, one our whole team could relate to as we thought about the nostalgia we hold for back-to-school time. This year, back-to-school season looks different. With so many rituals and annual occasions being upended, many of us are feeling the tidal pull of reinvention more than in years prior. Maybe this will be the year we’ll be able to embrace a different kind of reinvention—one without the added pressure of public scrutiny.

When we strip away the approval of others, what does reinvention actually look like? Has there ever been a better time to ask yourself who you are becoming? And, even better, to ask whether who you’re becoming aligns with who you hope to be?

Reinvention requires just enough tension to usher in change, with the right amount of restraint to be patient and observant throughout the process. I’m reminded during times of change to not hold on to what an entire season may bring but what lies ahead in each day.

When we strip away the approval of others, what does reinvention actually look like? Has there ever been a better time to ask yourself who you are becoming? And, even better, to ask whether who you’re becoming aligns with who you hope to be?

As we settle into this new normal, we have choices about how we’re going to approach this time and the perspective we’re going to take going forward. This month, I encourage you to explore the intentional ways you’ve reinvented yourselves in your own lives, and ways you’ll pursue reinvention going forward. This isn’t about making hasty changes but rather consciously pursuing a life that reflects the truest version of ourselves and our values. It’s about making small tweaks that impact our lives for the better; about trusting that growth is occurring, even if we can’t always see it in the moment. 

In the month ahead, our contributors will be writing about the process of evolving into a person who takes action, and why our mental illnesses can also sometimes be one of our greatest strengths. They’ll be offering foolproof tips for styling a bookshelf, and sharing simple adjustments that can transform the way you work. I’ll be writing about how I’m getting back into running after a long hiatus (and how you can apply the process to any hobby) and sharing a look back at my personal evolution over the years (plenty of mildly embarrassing photos included!). We can’t wait to share these pieces and oh so much more with you in the month ahead!

As you think through your own stories of reinvention, remember the seeds we plant in this season will be ones baked in self-acceptance. I hope they will be strong enough to change the way we were living before COVID-19—to create a world with more humility and understanding of our collective human experience.

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Kate Arends

Kate is the founder of Wit & Delight. She is currently learning how to play tennis and is forever testing the boundaries of her creative muscle. Follow her on Instagram at @witanddelight_.