Your Summer Reset
Simplify Your Life & Lighten Your Mental Load
It's mid-June and you're looking at a calendar packed with work deadlines, your teenager's shifting job schedule, and that family vacation you're supposed to be planning. Meanwhile, your kitchen counter is cluttered with sunscreen, golf balls, and random summer gear, and you realize you've been so busy trying to orchestrate the "perfect summer" that you haven't actually enjoyed any of it.
Sound familiar?
Summer often brings a slower pace—but it can also come with its own kind of overwhelm. Whether you're coordinating schedules with camp schedules, older kids who have jobs, managing travel plans, or navigating a shift in work routines, this is the perfect moment to pause, reset, and intentionally create more space for what matters.
This reset isn't about doing more—it's about aligning your physical, mental, and emotional energy with the version of summer you actually want to experience.
Let Go, Streamline, and Create Space for What You Crave
Summer can stir up a lot of invisible "shoulds"—pressure to be productive, present, and perfect in all the roles you hold. Instead of trying to do it all, take a moment to step back and reset your expectations.
Last summer, I found myself constantly stressed about meal planning with my families’ unpredictable work schedules, workout routines and social plans. I was trying to maintain our regular dinner routine when what we really needed was flexibility. Once I let go of the expectation that we'd all eat together every night at 6 PM, summer became so much lighter.
Ask yourself:
What do I need more of this summer?
What do I want less of?
Use your answers to guide what stays and what goes—starting with your schedule. Identify the clutter in your calendar: Are there routines, commitments, or mental to-dos that no longer serve you?
Try simple streamlining strategies like:
Batching errands or appointments
Saying no with grace (try: "That sounds wonderful, but we're keeping our summer schedule light this year")
Rotating simple meal plans like Taco Tuesday, Pizza Friday, or "Fend for Yourself" nights for busy families with older kids
This kind of clarity makes space for rest, spontaneity, and those unexpected moments when your college kid actually wants to hang out.
Create Calm in the Places You Use Most
Summer is the perfect season to gently refresh the spaces you move through daily. Focus on light, high-impact areas:
Wardrobe – pack away bulky layers and simplify with easy summer staples
Fridge & Pantry – clear expired items and streamline snacks & go-to ingredients for busy teenagers
Outdoor & Entertaining Zones – declutter patio spaces, grilling supplies, summer sports equipment, or that collection of pool floats that somehow multiplied over the years
Create grab-and-go bins for summer activities (e.g., beach, pool, park)
Even small changes in these areas can create more breathing room and ease throughout your day.
Clear the Mental Clutter and End With a Simple Reset Ritual
Mental clutter isn't just in your thoughts—it's in your phone, inbox, and notifications. Give your mind a break by:
Unsubscribing from emails that no longer serve you
Unfollowing accounts that drain your energy
Taking a short digital pause (even one day a week)
To wrap up your reset, choose a small, intentional ritual. Last summer, I wrote the word "flow" on a sticky note and put it on my bathroom mirror. Every morning, it reminded me that flexibility was more important than rigid plans.
Try:
Journal your intention or theme for the season (e.g., ease, presence, lightness)
Write it on a sticky note and place it somewhere visible
Light a candle, go for a walk, or simply breathe deeply to mark the shift
