September Means a Fresh Start

September always feels like a reset button.

But a fresh start doesn’t mean everything will suddenly be perfect.

That’s been one of my biggest struggles in life. I’ll declare a relaunch or a bold new commitment, and the moment I stumble, even slightly, I label the whole thing a failure and retreat back to the starting line.

If I keep running back to the beginning, I’ll never truly enjoy the hills, valleys, and majestic scenery of the journey. The scratches, falls, and crashes are part of the adventure, and often, they’re the most memorable and meaningful parts.

This September carries extra weight. Danika is entering Grade 5. Everett is now a high school student. Emily is preparing for a much-needed surgery that will bring a 4–6 month recovery. This is a significant chapter in the Spicer family story, and one filled with new responsibilities and challenges

It feels like the right moment to focus and strategize my next steps. I want to treat this as a fresh start for Beyond the Balcony with a chance to finish the year strong by actually writing about pop culture and reviewing the intriguing 2025 movies I’ve missed (and the ones I’m still excited to see). I want to re-establish myself not just as a critic, but as an essayist with a distinct voice: weaving together pop culture and my experiences as a neurodivergent dad and creator.

I’m determined to get The Movie Breakdown podcast back into a weekly rhythm. Hopefully, something goes live this Monday, even if I haven’t watched anything new to review yet. I’ve also long promised a chronological review series of every MCU movie and every animated Disney theatrical release. And then there’s the serialized fiction project, which excites me and terrifies me in equal measure—probably the best reason to finally do it. On top of that, I want to experiment with videos, explore launching a newsletter, and seriously look into ways to monetize my work beyond the occasional kind soul donating to my PayPal.

Of course, there’s also my freelance career. Unless a miracle drops from the sky, I’m still years away from my creative projects generating a sustainable full-time income. That means pitching, writing for clients, and keeping the hustle alive. I already have one client lined up, and I’m hopeful that with momentum and confidence, more opportunities will follow.

The fall will be crucial in managing and building the site and creative project, like books with a sustainable income, with Emily not working for a significant amount of time. But also balancing all that with the increased responsibilities at home with Emily, once again recovering from knee surgery, where standing and walking aren't part of her first few weeks of plans. 

Promotion and networking are another big area I need to improve. I’ve joined forums and boards, but most sit dormant because I never know what to contribute beyond plugging my own work (a frowned-upon move in most spaces). I want to get better at making genuine connections, not just shouting into the void.

I also want to be a better friend. To invest more in my community. To build lasting relationships and enrich my life, and hopefully the lives of others, through shared activities and connections. I want to live more fully.

Being neurodivergent, this is all tricky. Even the best intentions can leave me burnt out after just a couple of days. But the goal isn’t perfection. The goal is progress.

It is a fresh start, but it won't be a clean one for long. There will be mistakes. A post or two might be missed. Some pieces will flop. But that’s part of the ride.

As September begins, I want this space to show real signs of commitment to this site, to my work, and to a new chapter in my life.