Month-in-Review Highlights: September 2021

The entrance to the Circus Knie in Lausanne. Yes, the circus is back in town! September 29, 2021.

I postmortem each month shortly after it ends, reflecting on what happened in general and, more specifically, in the context of my goals. Though I don’t share all my insights here, I have made it a practice to share at least one key highlight or insight. (To read previous months’ reviews, click here.)

Finishing my monthly postmortem, wherein I rank how my activity tracked against goals, and seeing more wins than losses always feels good.

Win.

In terms of highlights, as I look over my notes and down my two columns, wins and losses, I see a big trend upward at midmonth across several different facets.

Life came back to Lausanne in mid-September, when people returned from their summer vacations and school had reached full swing. Last year, the back-to-school and -work and -life season had a more muted feel—given the lingering COVID situation, not much could happen.

However, this year, we have slowly increasing vaccination rates and COVID-pass requirements, which have opened more possibilities than we had last year. A few weeks of nice weather that made outdoor events and activities possible only helped the situation.

The sun helped my mood, too. Spring and summer in Switzerland and France this year were cold, rainy, and windy.

I took advantage of the reopening and the nice weather to engage and reengage with groups and activities, from going on walks and hikes to attending in-person language exchanges (got to keep working on that French!) and joining a weekly yoga class outdoors along the lakefront.

Also, I set up and hosted a small group of writers for a writing session in late September at a patio café not far from me. I rejoiced at the opportunity to connect with other writers in the Lausanne area and write a bit together.

The arrival of the fourth quarter often brings a lot of work-related musts and stresses. I hope October won’t unfurl too harshly on that count, allowing me to keep up the good work I’ve just started in the past few weeks.

Oh, and if the nasty European fall and winter weather can hold off a few more weeks, I’d be thankful for that, too.