10 Tasks to Get Back on Track After a Busy Summer
If you are struggling to get back into routines after a busy summer, you are not alone. My clients across the country are feeling the pain of the "back to school" transition. I find that getting back to basics is the best way to navigate this time of year, so I created this checklist to simplify the process.
1.Read or listen to a new book. (I'm currently reading Unmasking Autism by Devon Price.)
2. Declutter your office.
3. Donate clothing you no longer wear
4. Have a date night
5. Have a tune-up session with trusted provider (If you don't have one, consider me!)
6.Meal prep healthy snacks for the week. (I like putting together smoothie bags)
7.Clean-up your inbox
8. Spend time in nature (20 minutes a day gets you Vitamin D)
9. Write down 3 personal & professional goals (There's still time left in the year)
10. Schedule self-care for the rest of the year.
WHY THESE TASKS?
Sometimes people book a free consult and tell me how terrible they are because they feel so overwhelmed by the change of routines. But the truth is, it's okay to feel out of sorts when you've got one foot still soaking up summertime and the other foot marching into fall. In fact, it might be rather odd if you weren't feeling a little off your center. Remember, managing two routines is actually a hard thing to do. There's nothing wrong with you.
Transitioning between two routines creates chaos and chaos can lead to feeling unorganized, spacey, and overwhelmed. It's important to remember that YOU ARE NOT unorganized and spacey, the chaos you are IN is just making you feel this way. (if you happen to be personally unorganized or spacey, just remember the chaos of your current schedule is making it WORSE!)
So I chose these specific tasks to help you feel more in control of the chaos while you navigate this time.
WRAP-UP PROJECTS or SELECTIVELY START NEW ONES
Nothing creates chronic low grade stress like having a task or a chore hanging out there. Anything you can do to wrap-up a task is ideal right now. This is why decluttering your office, organizing your inbox and donating old clothes you no longer wear are such effective tasks. The minute you finish - you get a dopamine hit of success!
I know my inbox got a little wonky this summer so I spent about 2 hours last weekend unsubscribing from newsletters, creating new filters for inbox organization and marking items as read or sending them to trash. Just this one task, made me feel more like my "back to business" self.
And if you are going to start something new, make sure it is something that is easy and can be completed quickly.
For instance, go ahead and schedule all your hair appointments, nail appointments, facials, doctors visits, routine car maintenance, and house cleaning services until the end of the year. You will be able to book the people you want on your preferred dates (think holiday hair appointments!) and have a feeling of success for taking such good care of yourself.
Same is true for weekly meal prepping. Just knowing you've got ready to go healthy snacks, quick and easy breakfasts or weeknight dinners ready will not only save you a tremendous amount of money and time (just in clean-up alone) but you will immediately feel accomplished and grounded when you complete the task.
There are times to begin long, complex, ongoing projects and this is NOT one of them. If you are transitioning routines, only start things you can quickly finish which will give you the feeling of a quick win!
WHAT IF I FEEL SAD?
Many clients report feeling a little sad this time of year. For some, summertime is the only time they give themselves permission to take a vacation day from work or play hooky, stay up later, start the morning a little bit more leisurely, or eat one too many cookies. If this sounds familiar, it makes sense you might grieve losing your fun when summer ends.
But I say, just because summer ends doesn't mean your fun has to!
I've chosen tasks I hope you can look forward to like spending time in nature, getting lost in a new book or planning a date night! Making sure you have some fun in your day to day life helps minimize the feeling that you are going back into a "grind". And this is also a great topic to explore with me (step #5) or your trusted provider. Any time spent learning how to lead your best life all year round is time well spent. (Your family will thank you!)
HERE'S HOW TO USE THIS CHECKLIST
For fastest results, I suggest you allow 1 task per day, for 10 days, in order to get back into the swing of things. However, you will feel centered and productive by doing just some of these things in a 10 day span. Fight the urge for perfectionism, do what you can, knowing every step you take, will help you sink a little deeper and more comfortably into your fall routine.
If you'd like my help with any work/life balance issues or if you would like me to work with your team members, please book a free consult with me here. I would love to be of service!
And don't forget, follow me on Instagram @clairepearsoncoaching!