Give your life a refresh this summer.
A new season is an opportunity to shake things up. If you’ve been feeling stressed or stuck or just plain “blah,” the changing of the seasons can inspire you to make changes to your own life as well.
Summer’s warmer temperatures and longer days practically beg us to slow down and rethink our usual way of life. Summer invites us to let go of the things that weigh us down and opt for something lighter. This can mean swapping your coats and sweaters for lightweight clothes, or decluttering your home and schedule to streamline your life.
So instead of going at our usual frenetic pace, use this summer to rethink your routines and habits, do less of what weighs you down, and spend more time doing what feels good for you.
Here are some of the ways that you can embrace the changes that summer brings and transform your home, work, routines, and even your goals.
Reflect on your current habits and state of life
First, it will help to reflect on your current lifestyle and habits to figure out what changes you’d like to bring in this summer.
You can use the following prompts as jumping off points. Feel free to answer all of them or just the ones that resonate for you.
What are some of your current habits or routines that are holding you back? For example, maybe your current work schedule is overwhelming. Or maybe you’re tired of spending money on dining out. Or you’d like to spend less time on your devices.
What would you like to do less of this summer? What are some of the activities, social events, or work obligations you’d like to spend less time on? Do you want to spend less time eating lunch in front of your computer? Or to stop saying “yes” to a work obligation?
What would you like to do more of this summer? Think about the hobbies, trips, projects, and outdoor activities you’d like to embark on once the weather gets warmer.
What would be your ideal summer day? It always helps to know exactly what you want so that you can start making plans to achieve it. Maybe your ideal summer day consists of relaxing with a good book. Or spending your entire day exploring the outdoors. Or maybe it’s going to outdoor concerts with friends. Define your ideal summer day and you’ll be guaranteed to have one.
Summer refresh for your home
Transition your clothing. Put your coats and sweaters away and break out the dresses, skirts, shorts, and tanks. Swap the heavy fabrics for lighter, breathable material like cotton, linen, and silk.
Declutter your home. We know that spring cleaning is a thing but summer is also a great time to tidy and deep clean your home. This will help prepare your home for the colder months, when you spend a lot more time indoors. Donate, recycle, or toss items you no longer need. Clean out your fridge and pantry. Sanitize your bathroom. And open the windows to let in the summer breeze.
Summer refresh for work
Set up an auto-response. When you’re on summer vacation, the last thing you want to do is answer emails and texts from work. So put your phone on “do not disturb” and set up an out of office message. Setting these little boundaries will put your mind at ease and help you actually relax on your vacation.
Sign up for a class. While you may have loathed summer school as a kid, as an adult, it gives you a chance to brush up on some skills and meet new friends at the same time. So take a class on graphic design or creative writing. Or take a class that’s outside of your skillset.
Summer refresh for your health and well-being
Protect your skin. Summer means spending more time outside. So make sure to protect yourself from sun exposure. Always apply sunblock, wear wide brimmed hats, and don’t forget to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV rays.
Find a low-key workout. Summer also means heat and humidity. So on those scorching hot days, swap your workout for something gentler on your body. Activities like swimming, yoga, or cycling will make you feel great without also making you feel like you’re in a sauna.
Nurture your skin and hair. While nothing beats a day at the pool or the beach, the exposure to sun, chlorine, and salt water can take a toll on your hair and skin. So take extra care with gentle shampoos, moisturizing conditioners, and after-sun lotions. And if you go for regular swims, make sure to protect your hair with a swim cap.
Summer refresh for your goals and routines
Transition your goals for summer. You already know to transition your home and clothes for summer, but you should also think about transitioning your goals for the season as well. Some people like to use the summer months to reflect on their goals and figure out their plan for the fall/winter. Others prefer to take advantage of summer’s slower pace to fully immerse themselves in their goals. Choose which camp you fall into. You could even devote May/June to going full speed on your goals and July/August to rest and reflection.
Have your morning routine outside. Maybe you have a solid morning routine or maybe you’re feeling bored with it. Why not switch things up by taking your morning routine outside? Drink your cup of coffee on your balcony or out on your stoop. Bring your journal with you to the park. Do your morning workout at the community pool. Adding an outdoor element to your morning routine will make you feel invigorated for the day ahead.
Make a summer bucket list. Whether it’s pursuing your dream goals or craving more solo time, make a list of all the things you’d like to do this summer. A summer bucket list is so much fun to create, as you imagine all the possibilities that a new season can bring. Get creative and use colorful pens to decorate your list. Hang it up somewhere as a reminder to take advantage of all that summer has to offer.
Written by JiJi Lee
