Does your summer ever feel more chaotic than calm?
The season arrives full of promise. We imagine long, lazy days, quality time with loved ones, and finally tackling that project we’ve been putting off. But then reality hits. The days blur together in a flurry of errands, endless screen time, and a nagging feeling that the season is slipping through our fingers. Before we know it, it’s August, and we wonder where the time went.
I know that feeling all too well. For years, my life was a masterclass in chaos. I wasted entire seasons lost in unhealthy habits, feeling lazy and directionless. I believed that structure was a cage, not realizing it was the key to my freedom. It took a lot of trial and error, but I learned that organization isn’t about creating a rigid, joyless schedule. It’s about clearing out the clutter so you can make space for what truly matters.
If you’re ready to trade summer chaos for summer calm, here are ten simple steps that helped me get my life in order.
Define Your Summer 'Why'
Before you create a single to-do list, ask yourself one question: What do I want to feel this summer? Do you crave rest? Connection with your family? A sense of accomplishment? Maybe you want to strengthen your relationship with God. Get clear on your main goal. Writing it down makes it real. This isn't about a hundred different goals. It's about your core intention for the season.
Do a Brain Dump
Now, grab a piece of paper and write down everything you want or need to do this summer. Everything. The big stuff like a family vacation, the small stuff like cleaning the garage, and the fun stuff like hitting the beach. Don't organize it. Just get it all out of your head. It will look like a mess, and that’s the point. This step clears your mind and shows you everything you’re trying to juggle.
Pick Your Top 3 Priorities
Look at your messy brain-dump list. You cannot do it all. I repeat, you cannot do it all, and trying to will only lead to burnout. When I started my journey to lose over 110 pounds, I didn't try to change everything at once. I focused on a few key things: what I ate, moving my body, and being consistent. That’s it.
Apply the same logic to your summer. Circle the three things on your list that align most with your 'why'. These are your non-negotiables. Everything else is a bonus. This focus is what turns wishes into reality.
Create a 'Bare-Bones' Routine
A routine doesn't have to be a minute-by-minute military schedule. Think of it as a simple framework for your day. For me, this was a game-changer. I built a productive life not by working all day, but by focusing on short bursts of deep work. My routine is simple: I wake up, have my coffee, and spend time in prayer. Then I do 2-4 hours of focused work on my most important task. The rest of the day has flexibility.
What could your bare-bones routine look like? Maybe it’s just a consistent morning and evening rhythm. A simple structure frees up mental energy and prevents you from drifting aimlessly through the day.
Schedule the Fun Stuff First
This might sound backward, but it’s crucial. Before your calendar fills up with obligations, block out time for rest, hobbies, and family adventures. Put “Beach Day” or “Family Game Night” on the calendar just like you would a dentist appointment. This ensures you’re making time for joy and connection, not just fitting it in if you have leftover time.
Tame the Digital Clutter
Our phones can be the biggest time thieves of all. An hour of scrolling can vanish in what feels like five minutes. You don’t need a complicated digital detox. Just set simple boundaries. Maybe it’s no phones at the dinner table or putting your phone away an hour before bed. Reclaiming that time will give you back hours of your summer.
Use the 'One-Touch' Tidy Rule
Physical clutter creates mental clutter. Here’s a simple rule I use to keep my space manageable: the 'One-Touch' rule. If you pick something up, deal with it right then and there. Don’t move the mail from the table to the counter. Open it, sort it, and throw away the junk. Put the shoes in the closet, not by the door. This small habit prevents messes from piling up and saves you from a massive clean-up later.
Plan for a Weekly Reset
Set aside one hour every Sunday to prepare for the week ahead. Look at your calendar, plan your top priorities for the week, and maybe prep a few simple meals. This weekly check-in is your secret weapon. It keeps you on track with your goals, helps you adjust when things go off-plan, and lets you start each week with a fresh, clear mind. It's also a great time to celebrate the small wins from the week before.
Practice Daily Gratitude
This is the simplest but most powerful step. Each day, take a moment to thank God for a few specific things. It doesn’t have to be a long, formal session. It can be a simple prayer while you make your coffee or as you lay in bed. When I started truly practicing gratitude, my whole perspective shifted. It anchored me in the present and replaced anxiety with peace. A grateful heart finds the good in every season, even the imperfect ones.
Embrace Imperfection
Your organized summer will not be perfect. The kids will get sick, rain will cancel your beach day, and you’ll have moments of laziness. That’s okay. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s intention. My weight loss journey was full of setbacks. Some days I ate things I shouldn't have. Some weeks I didn't exercise. But I never quit. I just got back on track the next day.
Give yourself grace. An organized summer has room for spontaneity and messiness. The structure is there to serve you, not to control you. It’s a tool to help you build a summer that feels meaningful and restorative.
It all starts with one small step. You don't have to do all ten of these things at once. Just pick one.
So, what’s one thing you can do today to create a little more space for what truly matters this summer?
