Summer can be a bit of a whirlwind, especially if you’re balancing work, family, travel, and all the extra demands that come with a change in routine. That’s why June is the perfect time to pause, reset, and get intentional about how you want the next few months to feel.

With a little planning now, you can set yourself up for a summer that’s both productive and enjoyable—without the stress.

Here are five simple strategies to help you prepare:

Revisit Your Yearly Goals

We’re halfway through the year—how are your goals holding up?
Now is a great time to do a mid-year review:

  • What goals have you met (or dropped)?

  • What’s still important to you?

  • What needs to shift based on your current season of life?

Even 30 minutes of focused reflection can help you realign with your bigger vision and move into summer with clarity and purpose.

Create a Seasonal Calendar Overview

Summer brings changes – new routines, kid activities, vacations, and shifting work demands.
Before the calendar fills up, map out your known commitments:

  • Camps, vacations, special events

  • Project deadlines or launches

  • Time off (yes, actually schedule it!)

Use a visual calendar (digital or paper) to spot busy weeks early and create buffers where possible.

In our house, we use a big dry erase family calendar in the kitchen, and each family member has their own marker colour. It’s a simple system, but it makes it easy to see who’s doing what at a glance and keeps everyone on the same page.

And I know I’ve mentioned this before, but we also use the Family Wall app as our shared digital calendar, which is especially helpful when we’re on the go. Having both a physical and digital system means fewer surprises and better communication across the board.

Tip: I love using color-coded categories so everything’s easy to scan at a glance.

Plan for Gaps and Downtime

Let’s be honest, summer can throw off even the best routines. Instead of fighting it, build in flexibility:

  • Create a short list of “quick win” tasks for low-energy days

  • Batch work during quieter periods so you can unplug later

  • Have backup activities ready for kids or yourself during unplanned downtime

It’s not about being perfectly productive, it’s about staying adaptable without losing momentum.

Reset Your Systems

When life shifts, your systems should, too. June is the ideal time to clean up:

  • Digital clutter (files, emails, desktop chaos)

  • Your task management system (are your lists still realistic?)

  • Any recurring routines (meal planning, admin tasks, etc.)

Consider this your permission slip to simplify anything that’s gotten overly complicated.

Set Clear Summer Boundaries

Whether it’s blocking time off, limiting weekend work, or creating focus blocks in your day, clear boundaries are essential for a sustainable summer pace.

And if you’ve got teens at home like we do, you know how important it is to set boundaries there, too. Since we live in the country and aren’t within walking distance of their friends, we’ve had to be really clear that I’m not available to drive them around at the drop of a hat. Planning ahead and setting expectations has helped reduce frustration – for them and for me.

Try asking yourself:

  • What do I not want to carry into the summer?

  • What will protect my time and energy?

If boundaries are a struggle (you’re not alone), check out my course Balanced Boundaries: Building Healthy Limits for Personal and Professional Success.

Final Thoughts

June doesn’t have to be a scramble to “get everything done before summer hits.”
Instead, it can be a thoughtful, calm reset point. Your chance to create a season that supports your life and goals.

A little intention now = a whole lot less chaos later.