Labor Day always seems like a beginning–often the start of the school year, but even for those of us way past that time, it feels like a new start. Summer is almost over and something different lies ahead of us. But, if you’re like me, it’s easy to get stuck in old habits, and that sense of newness evaporates as our routines take over.

Snakes go through an amazing transformation when they shed their skins. You may have come across an old snake-skin when you’re out hiking–a ghostly image of its former owner. Since burnout is often the cause of our resistance to change, take a moment today to think about one thing you could shed–one thing you no longer need. It might be resentment, or being overly responsible, or letting small things ruin the big picture. Maybe it’s something you’ve always wanted to do but haven’t had the courage to initiate, like taking a drawing class or signing up for singing lessons.

There are no simple solutions to a complex problem such as burnout, but if you take one small action today, one small step, you’ll be amazed by the power that has to help you shed your old skin and enjoy the present.