Today’s guest author, Clare Kumar, has a few tips for conquering the end of summer blues and getting ready for fall.

In early August, with just less than half the summer remaining, I started to feel a little anxious about September coming.  It’s not so much the back-to-school part that bothers me. In fact, as a work-at-home mum to two, I’m quite looking forward to having the whole of my “home” office in its normal, quiet, concentration-supporting state.

It’s the busyness that I know returns in September, with the launch of not only school schedules, but numerous activities and the impending increase in traffic. It’s simply more people doing more of the same things in the same space and the same twenty-four hour window. More pressure on the system, if you will.

I can never last long worrying about something though – it’s unproductive energy. Better to move quickly to figuring out ways to address expected challenges. So here are a few ideas that might help if you’re feeling some of the same end-of-summer angst.

1. Keep summer alive during the year.  It’s the feeling of summer that we want to hang onto. Find ways to remind yourself of the warmth, relaxation and joy of hot summer days. It may be incorporating visualization of summer memories into a yoga meditation. How about enlarging a photo and displaying it in a prominent place. Grow fresh herbs indoors to remind you of your summer garden.

2. Establish smooth routines to avoid stress during morning and after-school stress. Involve your kids in figuring out how long it takes to get ready. Teach them to be responsible for as much of their own routine as appropriate for their age.

3. Make sure the activities subscribed to are sustainable. Kids and adults have varying stamina for long days. Is there a chance you’re signing up for more than you can handle?

4. Meal plan to the degree that it helps take the stress out of your week. Find meals that everyone likes – okay, that might be a dream – rather find dishes where it’s easy to pick out the things kids don’t like! Identify healthy takeout options for nights when there isn’t time to cook. Have breakfast for dinner for a change. Take the pressure off.

5.  Plan for next summer. Nothing keeps the feeling alive more than thinking about what you’ll do to enjoy next summer.

Hope this helps you feel more ready to dive into fall. Isn’t it a good thing summer comes round again every year?

About the Author

Clare Kumar “takes the bumps out of life.” Using organizing principles to solve a multitude of problems, Clare helps people become more organized at home and at work. Since creating Streamlife®, an organizing company in 2005, Clare has coached residential, small business and corporate clients to improve productivity and achieve greater peace of mind, while creating inspiring spaces in which to live and work.  

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