The French call it la rentrée. But more than panic-buying school shoes and booking emergency haircuts, early September’s “return” in France signifies a broader reset for everyone.
Not all of us are lucky enough – or French enough – to have the summer off. Regardless, there’s something in the air at this time of year, whether you’re young or old, have kids or don’t: that delicious new-pencil-case feeling. For me, it’s a welcome return to order after the freewheeling anarchy of the summer holidays, a time to re-establish routines.
The traditional start of the school year (in England at least; Scottish kids have been back for a few weeks now) is the perfect time, as summer eases into autumn, to set new intentions – from getting in shape to spending less time on screens. Paddy Maddison asked Guardian readers for the thing that actually helped them get fitter. From a mini trampoline to a dog, the answers were surprising – and inspiring.
It’s also, let’s be honest, the perfect excuse to indulge your stationery fetish. As Kate McCusker says in her piece on getting back to the grind, a gorgeous notebook, such as this from Leuchtturm, is the perfect way to kick off the new (school) year. My personal favourite is from Hoxton Mini Press – not cheap at £17.95, but mine has lasted almost two years and meets my strict requirements: unruled paper, lies flat, great design. As Kate points out, pricey notebooks are probably unsustainable for most of us: these sustainably minded notebooks from Muji are a more affordable alternative.
September is a great time to refresh your own basics, as well as your kids’, from a stylish lunch bag and a classic striped shirt to a fresh pack of pens, writes Kate. And these classic pointelle school socks, as recommended by Jess Cartner-Morley in her September edit, are “an excellent style update for a fiver” and would look great with a pair of loafers.
And for those of us for whom September is, literally, back-to-school time, read our guide to making the transition easier: it’s packed full of tips from parents and school kids on everything from how to navigate parent WhatsApp groups to whether you need a backpack with an external or internal netting section for your water bottle (Isabel, 16, has the answer).
Bon retour!
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This week’s picks
Suri 2.0 electric toothbrush review: does this sustainable brush live up to the hype?
‘Melts beautifully on toast’: the best plant-based spreads, tasted and rated
Never put them in the dishwasher! How to make wooden kitchen utensils last longer
The best electric toothbrushes: prioritise your pearly whites with our expert-tested picks
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Editor’s pick
If you’re still using a scratched old non-stick frying pan, now’s the time to stop. Dale Berning Sawa has been flipping pancakes, scrambling eggs and making caramel to find the best frying pans. Whether cast-iron, ceramic or stainless steel, the pans included are all Pfas-free – and should be a joy to cook with.
Monica Horridge
Deputy editor, the Filter
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In case you missed it …
Looking to make the most of a late summer fruit or vegetable glut? Our beginner’s guide to fermenting talks you through all the kit you need – and what not to bother with. (Can’t be bothered to make your own but want a probiotic boost? We’ve also tasted and rated the best kimchi you can buy in shops.)
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Get involved
Whether you’re a lark or an owl, what makes your early mornings better? Waking to a radio alarm rather than a phone? A great coffee? A gentle stretch? Or is it an eye mask to give you another half hour’s sleep? Let us know by replying to this newsletter, or emailing us at thefilter@theguardian.com.
