How to Best Adapt Your Schedule for Summer
Get ready to stay up until late, soak a ton of vitamin D, and get your tanning lines because…summer is finally here! And – while you might be excited about the fun and lighthearted vibes of summer – I’m sure there’s a part of you panicking, wondering how can you adapt your current schedule for summer to not lose all of your progress…
Just like for you, summer has always been one of my favorite periods of the year but also my biggest obstacle to staying consistent with goals and projects.
In this post, I’m going to share 5 ways you can adapt your schedule for summer to make the most out of it!
So, are you ready to discover how to be consistent in your self-growth journey throughout the summer? Then, let’s get started!
1. SIZE DOWN YOUR GOALS
The first thing you must do to adapt your schedule to summer involves sizing down your goals.
Nope, I’m not saying to give up on your goals! Nor to take three steps backward. Nor to screw up all the progress made so far.
I’m just inviting you to loosen your rope a little, to prevent setting unrealistic goals that are going to leave you defeated.
In particular, in “6 Ways to Prepare for Summer”, I mentioned the power that flexible goals will have on your overall level of (dis)satisfaction.
So, if you want to keep moving forward and be proud of your (small) achievements throughout the summer, you should definitely consider sizing down your goals.
Here are some examples:
CURRENT GOALS
- Work out for 1 hour, 6 days per week
- Meditate daily for 30 minutes
- Write 500 words every day
- Publish 2 blog posts per week
- Post daily on social media
SUMMER GOALS
- Work out 30 minutes, 3 times per week
- Meditate daily for at least 5 minutes
- Write one paragraph every day
- Publish 1 blog post per week
- Post on social media 3 times per week
The mantra that I’d like you to use over the summer is: “Small progress is better than none”.
Celebrate the small wins, rather than beating yourself up for not being where you want to be yet. Trust me: you will get there!
2. FRESHEN UP YOUR MORNING ROUTINE
If you want to adapt your current schedule for summer, you need to start from the basics.
Yes, it’s time to freshen up your morning routine!
As the sun starts rising earlier and the days get filled with last-minute plans, it’s important to create a morning routine that allows you to start the day in the best possible way.
Most people use their morning routines to focus on themselves and get done all the things they wouldn’t have time to squeeze in throughout the day.
As the season change, though, also your priorities and rhythms change.
So, to make sure you get the most out of your mornings even in the summer, there are some questions you could ask yourself.
Here are some questions that are a good starting point to check in with yourself:
- What is my number one priority at the moment?
- What things do I struggle to find time for during the day?
- Which habits can make me feel at my best?
- How much time do I have in the morning for myself?
- How many hours of sleep do I need to feel properly rested?
Once you define your priorities and outline the summer habits you’d like to do, you have to make sure you can really be consistent.
Figure out what is the ideal amount of time you’d like each task to take you, and then compare it to how much time you actually have available in the morning. Make adjustments where needed.
Ok, maybe you won’t have time for a 2-hour super aesthetic morning routine (like the ones you see on TikTok), but you can carve 30 minutes just for yourself.
“What would most improve my mornings?”. That’s all you need to answer.
3. ADAPT YOUR NIGHT ROUTINE
Obviously, the key to a good morning routine starts with the preparation the night before!
After freshening up your summer morning routine, it’s time to take a look at your night routine.
In the dark winter, it’s normal that your night routine starts way earlier – but you may want to postpone your bedtime when it’s bright outside until late!
In the summer months, it’s common to have more nights out with friends, but also to have dinner later in the evening, or just to stay up later to have ice cream for a midnight snack!
When you’re creating your morning routine, make sure you also take into consideration your night-routine steps.
Some questions to ask yourself to adapt your night routine for summer are:
- How many hours of sleep do I need?
- What is the number one thing I want to absolutely do in the evening?
- Are there any bad habits I should avoid wasting time on? (*cough* TikTok *cough*)
- How many nights do I think I will go out per week?
- What is the ideal time to start my night routine?
The process is always the same. First, you find what’s essential for you in your night routine. Then, you compare how much time it would take you and how much time you actually have. Finally, you make the proper adjustments.
NB. Never sacrifice your sleep! Either start your day later – or finish it earlier. And, if you must, skip some steps of your routines to give your body a proper amount of sleep.
4. SPONTANEITY OVER PLANNING
Every season has its beauty. What makes summer beautiful, to me, is its spontaneity.
During the summer months, everyone is just so much more likely to make last-minute plans, to say ‘yes’ to spontaneous invitations, or to let their ‘gut feeling’ guide them.
That’s why I love summer!
For this reason, my advice to you is to learn to choose spontaneity over planning (at least in summer).
If you’re used to working hard during the other seasons, the summer is the perfect time to give yourself a well-deserved break.
So say ‘yes’ to spontaneity!
For a second, forget about your planner and just “go with the flow”.
Were you halfway through your morning routine and your friend invited you out for brunch, and want to say yes? Then say yes!
Did you get invited for a bonfire at the beach, even if your night routine wants you in bed by midnight? Go to the bonfire if you’re dying for it!
The thing is that, for how much it’s essential to have a structure and a schedule to follow, the summertime is also one of the rarest periods of the year in which you shouldn’t feel bad for doing something spontaneous!
Go and enjoy yourself. You can get back to your routine tomorrow.
You will never regret creating new memories!
5. PREPARE IN ADVANCE
The last way to adapt your schedule for summer is by making sure that you’re well prepared for it in advance!
For example, if you already know that in the summer you’ll have less time than you do now to work on your project and goals, is there any way in which you can get the most done now?
Taking blogging as an example, some ways you could prepare in advance are:
- Creating a summer content calendar
- Writing all your blog posts for the summer
- Schedule all your blog posts
- Create graphics in advance
- Schedule Pins using Tailwind (link)
- Write your newsletter
- Generate social media content ideas
- Batch the filming of your videos
Work smarter, not harder by preparing yourself for summer in advance…so that you’re free to enjoy the sunshine! 😉
Those were the 5 steps you can take to adapt your schedule for summer!
By following those steps, hopefully, you’ll have a stress-free and enjoyable summer…knowing that you’re doing your best.
Reminder: “Small progress is better than none”.
How are you going to adapt your current schedule in sight of the summer? Let me know in a comment!
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I’ve just taken 5 days off from blogging because my brother and sister in law from out of town came for a surprise visit. It was a special time. Family will always come first for me.
That’s great to hear! I’m glad you had such a lovey time with your brother and sister in law 🙂
Oh, Summer! Although this is a time for vacations, rest, and relaxation. It would be best if you still ticked your boxes. Balancing goals and enjoying life is a must! SO indeed we need a fantastic schedule. Thanks for this post!
Yess, perhaps a more flexible schedule than the one we set for the winter 🙂 But indeed, as you said, it is still crucial to have a plan to stick to
I love your closing thoughts with a reminder that small progress is better than none, such a great way to approach so many aspects of life! Thanks for a great article!
Thank you! 🙂
I tend to switch up my exercise routine a bit in the Summer, so I’m exercising / walking etc in the morning and evening when it’s cooler!
That’s awesome! I do that too 🙂
My morning and night routines need adapting, thanks for sharing these tips
My pleasure!
Love this, especially as it’s written in acknowledgment of the fact that trying to blog through busy timed is hard! I’m a fan of the phrase, ‘move the needle’. Just one thing daily can make a big difference!
I agree 100% with this! It’s all about the small things that, if repeated consistently, can lead to the biggest changes! 🙂
Love these tips for adapting your schedule for the summer! Great tips about creating a routine and being spontaneous to make memories. I look forward to reading more articles!
Thank you! I’m so glad you liked it 🙂