8 Steps to an End-of-Summer Reset

With a little intentional preparation at the end of summer, the transition to autumn can be stress-free and rewarding.

Small changes to a living space, such as adding fresh flowers, can create a sense of renewal. Anastasiia Krivenok/Getty Images

The final weeks of summer offer the perfect opportunity to reset your environment and your life before the months start ending in “-ber” and normal life starts up again. Here are eight ways to set yourself up for success through the end of the year.

Take a Moment to Dream

Take a quiet moment to yourself and think about what you’d like to accomplish and how you’d like to show up in the coming season. How can you do well the things you hope to do? How can you support the people in your life? How can you best play the roles you’re responsible for? How can you find joy and goodness in the coming season?

Audit the Status Quo

Consider the areas of your life and how they’re going. What is going well? What could use improvement? What might you focus on in the coming months to ensure that you make progress where you believe that you should?

Declutter and Clean

Go through each room in your home and audit the items that have accumulated there. Donate or toss those items that are no longer needed and give each room a thorough cleaning. Celebrate completion with a simple touch to bring beauty to the space—perhaps fresh flowers, a lovely candle, or a meaningful decorative element.

Decluttering creates more peace of mind and makes homes easier to maintain. Halfpoint/Shutterstock

Set for Success

Make sure your environment is set up to support your priorities. For example, if you want to live a healthy lifestyle, your kitchen should be stocked with healthy foods. If you want to dial in your sleep habits, you might ensure that your bedroom is kept at a low temperature at night, that you have window coverings that allow the room to remain dark, that you keep digital devices out of the room, etc. Ensure that your space supports your aims.

Review Finances

Back to school and holiday time can come with additional expenses. It’s a great time to review your finances, make any adjustments that would prepare you well for the months ahead, and ensure that you’re on track with your financial goals.

Review Your Calendar

Take a look at your calendar and record any new scheduled items you’ll be managing in the coming season. Make sure you’ve got room for your highest priorities and that those you need to coordinate with are in the loop.

Coordinating schedules ahead of time reduces stress by helping family members understand upcoming commitments and responsibilities. bernardbodo/Getty Images

Craft a Holiday List

If you’re the magic maker each holiday season, you know that it’s never too early to begin preparing. Make a list of the holiday tasks you’ll be taking on this year along with a gift list to get you started. If travel will be a part of your holiday plans, it’s a great time to begin those plans as well.

Stock Up

Make sure you have what you need to navigate the coming season successfully. If your kids are heading back to school, they likely will need supplies. If your coats have seen better days, perhaps it’s a good time to purchase new ones. Strategically consider what you need and stock up to feel prepared for what’s to come.

Take advantage of the remaining relaxing summer days to calmly reset and prepare, and you’re sure to feel on top of things come Labor Day.