Do you ever get to the end of August and wonder where all the time went? Those long, sun-drenched days you dreamed about in January somehow slipped through your fingers, filled with endless scrolling and the same old routines.
I know that feeling all too well. I used to be the king of wasted summers. My days were a blur of gaming, overeating, and putting things off until tomorrow. I was stuck. I felt lazy and disconnected from everything that truly mattered. The bright summer sun outside just made the darkness I felt inside even more obvious. But I learned that turning things around doesn’t require a massive, dramatic change. It starts with small choices. It starts with deciding to use the gift of extra daylight to build a life you love.
Summer offers us a unique opportunity. It gives us more light, more time, and a natural invitation to step outside of our ruts. Here are 15 simple ways you can grab hold of that opportunity and make this summer truly count.
Reconnect with Your Body and the World
Your physical health is the foundation for everything else. When you feel good in your body, you have the energy to pursue your goals and connect with others. The summer makes it easier than ever to get moving and nourish yourself.
Build Deeper Connections
Life can feel lonely when we live behind screens. The warm weather is a perfect excuse to break out of that isolation and invest in the people God placed in our lives. Meaningful relationships are what make life rich.
Grow in Purpose and Faith
A good life isn’t just about feeling good. It's about having a purpose. For me, that purpose is found in my relationship with God. Use this season not just for rest, but for intentional growth. When I felt completely lost in my old habits, this quiet time became my compass. It helped me find my way back.
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
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Take an Early Morning Walk. Before the world wakes up and the heat sets in, step outside. Listen to the birds. Feel the cool air. It’s a simple act of discipline that starts your day with peace and clarity instead of a phone screen.
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Cook with Fresh Food. Visit a local farmer’s market. Buy what’s in season. Learning to cook a simple, healthy meal with fresh ingredients is a skill that serves you for life. It’s how I began to heal my relationship with food.
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Get 15 Minutes of Sunshine. Don't spend all day baking in the sun. Just a little bit can lift your spirits and give you a dose of Vitamin D. I find it helps reset my mood on a tough day.
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Try a New Outdoor Activity. You don’t have to climb a mountain. Try swimming at a local lake, tossing a frisbee in the park, or finding a new hiking trail. When I was starting my 110-pound weight loss journey, a simple walk around the block was a huge win. Start where you are.
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Plan a Screen-Free Evening. Once a week, put all the devices away after dinner. Play a board game. Sit on the porch and talk. Read a book. Let your mind rest from the constant noise.
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Reconnect with One Old Friend. Life gets busy, and we lose touch. Send a text to someone you miss. Ask them how they’re really doing. A five-minute phone call can be better than a hundred likes on social media.
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Share a Meal with Family. Make it a priority. It doesn’t have to be a fancy event. A simple backyard barbecue or a shared pizza can create memories that last longer than the summer.
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Help a Neighbor. Offer to mow an elderly neighbor’s lawn, water their plants while they’re away, or help carry in their groceries. Small acts of service connect us to our community and reflect a core part of my faith.
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Tackle One Small Home Project. Clean out that cluttered closet. Organize the garage. Paint a room. The feeling of accomplishment you get from finishing a tangible project is a powerful motivator.
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Read a Book That Challenges You. Pick up a book on a topic you know little about, a biography of someone you admire, or a spiritual book to deepen your faith. Let your mind stretch and grow.
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Practice Gratitude Before Bed. This habit changed my life. Before you go to sleep, write down or simply think of three things you are thankful for from the day. It shifts your focus from what’s wrong to the blessings God has given you.
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Find a Quiet Spot for Prayer. Find a peaceful place in a park, your backyard, or even a quiet corner of your home. Spend a few minutes just talking with God. Share your worries. Give thanks for your blessings. This is the anchor that holds me steady.
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Use the Light for Focused Work. I discovered I don’t need to work eight hours straight. I’m most productive in short, 2–4 hour bursts of deep work. Use the extra morning or evening light to tackle your most important task without distractions.
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Learn One New Practical Skill. It could be as simple as learning how to change your car’s oil, bake bread from scratch, or start a small herb garden. These skills build confidence and self-reliance.
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Plan Your Week on Sunday. Take 20 minutes every Sunday evening to look at the week ahead. Schedule your priorities—work, workouts, family time, and rest. A little planning prevents the week from just happening to you.
You don’t have to do all of these things. That would be overwhelming. The goal isn't perfection. The goal is progress. It’s about choosing intention over inertia. It’s about honoring the gift of time we’ve been given.
My own journey from addiction and obesity to a healthy, purpose-driven life wasn’t one giant leap. It was a thousand small steps. It was choosing a walk instead of a video game. It was choosing prayer instead of despair. It was choosing one healthy meal at a time.
So, what about you?
What is one small thing you can do today to make the most of the light?
