Soft Systems Sunday: The Re-entry

The backpacks are unpacked. The lunchbox containers have already gone missing. There are forms, I think I turned in. And it’s only been a week.

One full week post-back-to-school, and I’m realizing it wasn’t just the kids adjusting. I was, too.

This week wasn’t about getting everything right. It was about feeling everything shift: schedules, energy, expectations, and the nervous system that has to hold it all.

Truth? I showed up with a solid plan. And softness still had to step in. I pivoted. I slowed down. I let some things stay undone.

And I’m proud of that.

The Aftermath of the First Week

There’s a strange kind of tired that hits after the adrenaline wears off. It’s not burnout. It’s the come down after high alert. And it’s real.

So if you found yourself:

• Forgetting something you swore you'd remember

• Emotionally overstimulated by drop-offs, emails, or even group texts

• Wondering how you’re supposed to keep this pace for 9 more months

...you’re not alone.

This post is your permission slip to reset gently, not because you failed, but because your rhythm deserves a tune-up.

What I/O Psychology Reminds Us

Industrial/Organizational psychology (the soft science behind work and wellness) reminds us that:

• Transitions burn cognitive fuel. The brain works overtime to adjust to new patterns. No wonder you’re tired.

• Feedback loops build sustainability. Weekly check-ins with yourself help reduce long-term decision fatigue.

• Emotional labor is real. Managing your emotions and your kids’ emotional worlds is work, even when it’s invisible.

Soft Systems aren’t fluffy. They’re strategic.

My Gentle Re-entry Plan

This week, I’m not pushing. I’m realigning. Here’s what that looks like in my house:

1. 15-Minute Nightly Recalibration Just enough time to review my calendar, prep one thing for the next day, and note what I actually need (not just what’s on the to-do list).

2. Journal Check-In Before Scroll Mode: A few honest lines in my notebook before I go numbing with my phone. The prompt: "What needs to come out before I check out?"

3. Sunday Reset with a New Tool This week, I made something for all of us: a printable Mini Re-entry Reset Card to guide your Sunday wind-down.

Paid readers receive:

• The full printable card

• A guided Sunday flow

• A soft rhythm re-check, you can repeat every week

✨ Want it? Become a paid subscriber or Founding Member for instant access →

4. Releasing the "Didn't Get To It" List Instead of shame-dumping all the things I didn’t do, I’m naming them and letting them go. They’re not evidence of failure, just reminders of capacity.

5. Repeating What Worked

• One outfit laid out each night = easier mornings

• 5-minute stretch before making breakfast = less back tension

• Reframing school convo as a connection instead of a checklist = better after-school vibes

I’m doing those again. No need to reinvent what already feels good.

Music, Mood, and Movement

This week’s gentle soundtrack:

• India.Arie – Back to the Middle

• Cleo Sol – Don’t Let Me Fall

• Snoh Aalegra – INDECISIVE

• Lianne La Havas – Bittersweet

Tell Me

What threw off your rhythm this week? Where did you surprise yourself? What soft reset are you claiming for the week ahead?

Drop it in the comments. Or screenshot your reset card and tag me if you’re using it!

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Thank you for being here.

We're not aiming for perfection; we're building rhythms that hold us, even on the messy weeks.

If this post landed softly, share it with a friend who needs a little structure and a lot of grace.

Until next Sunday, Kay LeShea