September is a major transitional month in my life. It’s the start of a new school term for all three of my kids, which marks another emotional parental milestone. It’s also my birthday month.
36 years around the sun feels both significant and insignificant. I had an idea to write 36 life lessons I’ve learnt, but I reached 10 and my head hurt, so I chose to abandon that very boring idea.
A cursory social media inspo scroll instead led me to the concept of “locking in.”
“Lock in” generally means to commit to something, secure it, or make it definite. Everyone influential on the internet seems to be telling us to LOCK IN – focus, cut the excuses, get serious and make the most of these final four months of the year.
Apparently, September is the new January.
A fresh start. A final push to take us all the way to 2027.
The concept of locking in scares me a little because it feels like yet another thing to add to the to-do list. Another version of myself I’m supposed to unleash so I can convince myself that this year was, in fact, meaningful and productive.
But I think I’m starting to understand that locking in doesn’t necessarily have to mean doing more.
Sometimes it means getting honest about what is already on your plate.
Today, Disa and I sat down and did a very nerve-wracking, but necessary, exercise.
We went through all of my Bunch of Keys listings, reviewed the information, took stock of how long each property had been listed, and wrote to every single vendor and landlord with honest feedback about pricing, the current market and whether or not we felt we could continue to confidently represent the property.
This audit took a long time. Composing each honest message took careful consideration.
We deleted roughly 8 listings, adjusted 6 prices and left all the others as they were.
And I FELT SO INCREDIBLE AFTER.
These are exactly the types of exercises I avoided while Disa was away—the tedious, time-consuming tasks; the uncomfortable conversations; the things that are easier to procrastinate than actually deal with.
But practicing crystal-clear communication with each owner and cleaning up our sales and rental inventory felt incredibly empowering.
It felt like the version of “locking in” that I actually want to practice for the rest of the year.
Not becoming a completely new person.
Not waking up at 5am.
Not squeezing 47 new habits into my life.
Just getting a little more intentional about what deserves my time, energy and attention.
And it got me thinking:
What are you ignoring in your everyday life that actually needs your attention?
What have you been putting off while simultaneously looking for a new trend, a new habit, a new system or a new addition to your routine to make you feel like you’re moving forward?
Chances are, there are a few very simple things sitting on the furthest back burner.
The email you’ve been meaning to send.
The cupboard you’ve been meaning to clean out.
The decision you’ve been avoiding.
The conversation you’ve “been meaning to have.”
There is something strangely freeing about doing the thing you’ve been avoiding. The anxiety surrounding it is often much bigger than the task itself. And once you finally face it, you wonder why you carried it around for so long.
So perhaps locking in can also mean unlocking.
Unlocking ourselves from the fear, anxiety and avoidance that have quietly attached themselves to certain parts of everyday life.
Maybe my version of “locking in” for the rest of 2026 isn’t about becoming a more disciplined, productive or optimized version of myself.
Maybe it’s simply about stopping the avoidance.
So, for the final four months of 2026, I’m locking in…
Locking in – to honest communication.
Locking in – to listings I feel confident about marketing.
Locking in to – decluttering and paring down our inventory.
Locking in – to focus.
Locking in – to doing the things I already know need to be done.
And maybe most importantly:
Locking in – to making space for the things that actually matter.
On the Barbados front,
8 Kid-friendly places to add to your list!
I just got back from an epic family + work vacation in Barbados, and one thing is for sure, Barbados really is an island that has something for everyone.
The kids had an absolute ball, and we managed to pack eight amazing kid-friendly experiences into just five short days!
From exploring caves and nature trails to sunset backed water trampolines and plenty of good food, there was never a dull moment.
So, if you’re planning a family getaway to the coral isle, here are 7 kid-friendly places we visited and absolutely loved.
Save this guide for your next Barbados adventure!
8 PLACES. 5 DAYS. SO MANY MEMORIES.
🍔 Chefette | Eat • Play • Laugh
🌿 Welchman Hall Gully | Explore caves • Hike • Adventure playground
🐒 Blue Monkey Beach Club | Swim • Dine • Sunset
🌊 Bathsheba + Round House | Rock pools • Spot Sea life • Epic views
🏖️ Pier One | Pool time • Beach access • Swim-up bar
💦 Boatyard | Inflatable slides • Water trampolines • Snorkel
🌴 JuJu’s Beach Bar | Easy beach day • Local food • Idyllic vibes
🚂 St. Nicholas Abbey Steam Engine | All aboard • Explore the Estate • Views from Cherry Tree Hill (highest point on the island)
Zoë
