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5 Simple Ways to Reset This Summer

Today, we’re sharing 5 simple ways to reset this summer!

Recently, we were enjoying a relaxing brunch when for the millionth time, I said a version of these words out loud…

“I can’t believe it’s already July! December 31st seemed to hold so much promise. I swear, I must have been in a haze of fireworks and festivities because it really felt like a magical year was on the horizon. In some ways though, this year hasn’t turned out like anything I had imagined.”   

Most everyone at the table nodded in agreement.

Some said they thought they would be further along with their goals by now.

Others confessed they had lost all motivation.

A few were excited to reevaluate their goals because they were finally ready to embrace necessary changes.

2 had already reached their goals and were starting new ones.

Despite all the ups and downs though, I think we all still feel hopeful about this year.  

How are you feeling about it?

I know a lot of us are still feeling the effects of the pandemic.

In some respects, it seems like a million years ago.

In other respects though, there were so many changes happening at once it’s perfectly normal for things to feel like they’re just now falling into place.

You might be still trying to find your way and that’s ok too.

I know it can be hard sometimes to figure out where to start with a summer reset.

But the easiest place to start is at the beginning. 

Here’s a look at 5 Simple Ways to Reset This Summer…  

Create a Weekly/Daily Task List

Whether your days look a little different or they’re all starting to run together, we can only control (and I use that term very loosely) today.

On Sundays, I sit down and do a brain dump of all the tasks I know we have coming up for the week. I write down everything from “order party supplies” to “create a grocery list” to “sign and confirm upcoming contracts.”

Once I have everything written down, I start delegating specific tasks to specific days. This not only helps to keep our week organized but it also allows the flexibility to move things around from day to day. 

This Sunday ritual doesn’t take very long to complete yet it buys me extra time during the week and helps to cut down on daily decision fatigue too. 

Embrace 10 Minute Tasks and a 15 Minute Clutter Catcher

Your summer work schedule might not allow you a full day to complete a huge project or to tackle an entire day of cleaning. 

Rather than blowing the tasks off altogether though, consider committing 10-15 minutes towards a specific chore each day. 

That way by the end of the week, you’ll have dedicated 70-105 minutes to your goals or projects.

If you have kids at home or are working from home, you already know how quickly the piles can start adding up around the house.

Set the timer and include a 15-minute clutter catcher in your nightly routine so you can wake up with clutter-free spaces and a fresh start for the day.

Reevaluate and Reprioritize Your Yearly Goals

At the end of every season, I sit down with my original goals list and reevaluate and reprioritize our yearly goals.

As you sit down with your goals or a bucket list of things you want to accomplish, reset your goals for the way things are now, not the way you want them to be, or think they will be in the future. 

That way, you’ll have a more realistic chance of actually reaching the goals you set for yourself this year.

Commit to Reinvesting in Yourself

This might be the hardest one on the list for some of you.  Especially, if you have a demanding job or family life.

If reinvesting in yourself seems too overwhelming to think about, here are some simple ways you can reset this summer…

Leaving White Space in Your Schedule

I know firsthand how easy it can be to overcommit and watch those things that fill your cup get pushed further and further down the list because there is just not enough time in the day. 

This issue is one of our biggest struggles.

It’s not easy to say no to things that sound fun or to feel like you’re missing out or like you’re letting someone down. 

But the truth is, if you show up distracted, tired, overwhelmed, or stressed out – you’ve already let yourself down and you’re likely letting others down too. 

I would much rather be with someone that is fully engaged than with someone who’s worked on a major house project, hosted guests for a week, gathered friends and family for a long holiday weekend then tried to “fit in” a coffee date.

Leaving white space in your schedule means you *make and take* the time to refresh your needs so you can be fully present when you’re called to tend to the needs of others.

Create a Healthy Menu

I plan our menu by the month then map out our weekly menu and grocery list while I’m writing out our Daily/Weekly tasks list on Sundays.

Creating a healthy menu does take a bit of extra time and research but the effort is always worth it!

Finds Ways to Eat More Greens

Incorporating more greens into your diet doesn’t have to be complicated at all. 

You can have a green smoothie for breakfast or a snack, add salads to your lunch menu and pile on extra veggies to your dinner menu.

Drink More Water

Drinking water is an easy way to hydrate your body and reset this summer.

I place a filled water bottle in the refrigerator each night at the same time I’m prepping the coffee for the next morning. 

That way, it’s ready to go every morning!  

Get Moving

Finding ways to exercise with a busy job and family life is not always easy.

And if we’re being completely honest here, neither is finding the motivation sometimes.

Exercise is one of the most important things you can do for your physical and mental well-being though.

Whether you’re walking on the beach, hiking, swimming laps, going for a run, biking around the neighborhood, doing yoga, rebounding, or doing Zumba videos via Zoom there are a ton of resources available online now.

Fill Your Cup

Every day no matter how big or small, do at least one thing to fill your cup. It’s another super simple way to reset this summer. 

This could be reading a magazine from cover to cover, exploring a new novel, tending your garden, writing letters to friends and family, taking a hot bath, listening to motivational podcasts, tackling projects or tasks you’ve been putting off, journaling, or engaging in a craft or hobby.

Practice Everyday Grace

If there’s one thing we’ve discovered about the pandemic years, it’s that things don’t always go as planned. 

We’ve been challenged to let things go, learn new ways of dealing with daily stressors, push through times of discouragement and frustration, and find peace in distractions and joy in the unknown. 

It certainly has not been easy.

But I know we’re strong enough to make it through these uncertain times.

Everyday grace is allowing yourself room to make mistakes.

It’s knowing that while every day counts, it’s also an opportunity for a fresh start.  

As you’re reevaluating what you want to focus on and prioritize for the rest of the year, think about those things that are currently working well for you and those things that you want to change. 

Making positive changes in our lives is not always effortless.

It requires consistency, commitment, motivation, focus, and grace.

But if there were ever a year to find simple ways to reset this summer, it’s this one.  

And I’m definitely here for it, how about you?

Let us know how you’re finding simple ways to reset this summer!    Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.

Many blessings,

CoCo

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23 Comments

  1. Fill my cup and everyday grace are my biggest take-always. Thank you

    1. You are so welcome, Gail! It’s so nice to have something to look forward to every day. Even small things during this time have helped to make a huge difference. And I would lost without a daily dose of grace 🙂 Hope your week has been a blessed one, CoCo

  2. Making healthier choices has also topped my list of priorities this year! Plus, I loved your ideas about getting organized on Sunday to help “cut down on daily decision fatigue.” I need to try this!

    1. That is so great to hear, Heidi. It’s not always easy to stay on track but the effort is always worth it. Even a little bit each day (more greens, better sleep, more water) makes a difference. Taking a bit of time on Sundays to plan out the week ahead has been a HUGE game-changer for us. I pour myself a cup of tea and give myself some uninterrupted time to plan out everything from errands to the grocery list. I can’t wait to hear how you like it. Hugs for a happy week, CoCo

    1. Love you too, Patty! I hope you’re having a peace-filled and relaxing summer 🙂 Big hugs and lots of love, CoCo

  3. Loved this CoCo! I really want to start reinvesting in myself again. I have really been in a funk lately! I’m missing the normalcy as well! I do find that making a list at the beginning of the week is helpful!

    1. I really appreciate it, Kim. I think the pandemic and uncertainty all around has really thrown people for a loop. While I’m so thankful for the slower pace, I’ve really struggled to find consistent motivation and creative energy which is super weird to even say that out loud. It’s been super helpful to give myself permission to just “be” lately. When I feel like I need to take a nap, I do. When I need a shot of creativity, I pull out my favorite books and magazines and look through them again. When I feel like I need to “accomplish” something I look for tasks that can easily be completed in a day. They all seem like such small things but together they’ve helped me make a big difference. Hang in there, we’ll get through this! Thinking of you and sending you lots of hugs, CoCo

  4. I found myself relaxing the moment I started reading this post. The combination of the photos and ever so wise words has turned my day around for sure! This pandemic certainly has changed everything (including ourselves) and has left us in a definite limbo. I touched on this briefly this week too and how it has affected my creativity. Your advice is amazing and I’m going to try and incorporate much of it into my daily life. Thank you for this post, CoCo.

    1. You are so welcome, Christine! I know we are all trying to deal with the uncertainty as best we can and goodness it is not easy. One minute I feel all empowered and the next minute I’m struggling down the rabbit hole trying to find motivation. The struggle is real. Hope these ideas help you too! Big hugs, CoCo

  5. I love all of your organization and resetting tips. I definitely need to work on the movement and hydration! Just getting my water ready the night before might be the key to help me. Thanks for sharing this!

  6. Wow this came at the perfect time, it’s just how I am feeling after reflecting on yesterday (July 4th) thanks for the inspiration

    1. You are so welcome, Debbie. I promise, I’m right there in the trenches with you too! Hope your weekend is filled with all good things and you find a way to rest and reset, CoCo

  7. Loved all five tips you shared with us today! This is the perfect time to re-evaluate and reset! Thanks for the reminder and for sharing your wisdom with us! Blessings, Donna

  8. Do you know how refreshing it is to hear others have muddled through since the pandemic? In our area, folks are like it never happened. I admit, while things affected me differently than most health wise, I find myself wishing I could move forward, but feel I am stuck in a rut I just cannot seem to pull out of. I lost my voice a little over two years ago, amongst other issues, and would just like to sing, no matter how bad I am at it, I just want to sing a song from beginning to end. LOL. Thank you for your refreshing perspective CoCo, as always. <3

  9. Like Cara, it hasn’t been the best year healthwise. But, letting friends help was a good decision. Thanks for being a bright spot in the day.
    Reminder: Christmas in July at Marge’s Specialities is the last Sunday in July. As I remember, you live in FL and went once before.

    1. Thanks so much for you kind words, Myrna, and the sweet reminder about Marge’s Specialities too! It’s such a beautiful place filled with tons of inspiration. I can’t wait to tell my Mom and aunts that they have announced the open house event. Big hugs and thank yous, CoCo

  10. CoCo, your tips to organize and reset during the summer months are so healthy and helpful. I am happy to feature your post at this week’s Tuesday Turn About. Thank you for sharing, my friend!

  11. Love this!!!
    Your photos are amazing, CoCo. I’m SO hoping that I can get back to the ocean within the next year.
    Also, Grace is one of my favorite words. It’s the word that is engraved on my grandparent’s headstone and one thing that I try and practice each and everyday. Thanks so much for sharing your perspective on Grace, too!!

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