As Summer Slows Down, Let’s Not Forget to Breathe
As the golden days of summer begin to shorten and the buzz of back-to-school season rises, many of us feel like we’re being swept into the fast current of fall. Supply lists. Calendar invites. New routines. Deadlines and decisions. It can feel like we’re being asked to go from 0 to 100 overnight.
And then there’s the weight of what’s happening around us… ongoing national debates, injustice in our systems, communities still recovering from loss, and the daily emotional labor of simply staying informed and engaged. It’s a lot. For many of us, it’s too much.
So before we dive headfirst into the season of busyness, let’s pause.
Let’s breathe.
Let’s talk about rest, not as a reward for productivity, but as a right. A necessity. A form of resistance in a world that constantly tells us to push through, even when we’re running on empty.
Let’s talk about mental health, especially for Black and Brown communities, parents, caregivers, teachers, and advocates who often carry more than their fair share. Let’s normalize saying, “I need help.” Let’s make space for joy, softness, and slowness, even when everything around us says hustle.
Let’s talk about preparedness, not just in terms of checklists and school supplies, but in spirit. How are we preparing ourselves to protect our peace? To move through fall with intention, not just obligation? To say yes with clarity and no without guilt?
Here are some gentle, grounded tips to carry with you:
REST
Build in buffer time between work, school pickups, and commitments, even 15 minutes of quiet can shift your nervous system.
Protect your sleep like it’s sacred. Try dimming lights, setting a bedtime alarm, or putting your phone in another room.
Say no to over-scheduling. You don’t need to prove your worth through exhaustion.
MENTAL HEALTH
Check in with yourself daily: How am I feeling? What do I need today?
Find your people: whether it’s a therapist, a group chat, or a trusted friend. Community care is self-care.
Consume media mindfully. Stay informed, but give yourself permission to unplug when needed.
PREPAREDNESS
Plan ahead, but hold it loosely. Leave space for life to be life.
Create a soft start to your mornings: music, breathwork, a mantra, or a warm drink before the rush begins.
Revisit your values. Let them guide your commitments this fall, not guilt or urgency.
As we move into this new season, may we all find ways to reconnect with what matters most. Whether it's taking a slow walk without your phone, journaling before the day begins, laughing hard with people who love you, or just going to bed early; honor the practices that refill your cup.
Fall will bring its own kind of beauty, power, and purpose. But we don’t have to meet it exhausted.
Let’s go in rested. Let’s go in rooted. Let’s go in whole.
