If you’ve been following my column for a while, you may have noticed a shift that started last year and quietly reshaped everything. I left a job. I gave up alcohol. I reconnected with movement and started nourishing my body from a place of care rather than control. I didn’t set out to overhaul my life—but one habit change led to the next, and a year later, the transformation feels real and lasting. Lighter. Stronger. Clearer. This self-care guide is a reflection of the practices that helped me get here—and the ones I continue to return to, season after season.

Your Late-Summer Self-Care Guide: 10 Habits That Changed My Life

We often think of January as the season for fresh starts, but here’s a little secret: August might be even better. Whether you’re prepping for a new school year (your kids’, or simply the rhythms of the season) or craving structure after a looser summer, this moment is ripe for reflection and reinvention.

Below, you’ll find 10 self-care habits that helped me feel more connected, more energized, and more at ease in my daily life. This isn’t about perfection—it’s about creating a rhythm that feels nourishing, sustainable, and honest.

1. Ditch Alcohol (Even Temporarily)

What started as a 30-day break turned into one of my most meaningful lifestyle shifts. At the time of writing, it’s been well over a year since I last had a drink, and the benefits keep compounding. Clearer mornings. Deeper sleep. More intentional social time. And above all, a sense of trust in myself.

Tips for where to start:

• Seek out community through podcasts, newsletters, or group texts
• Choose a timeframe (30 or 60 days is a great place to begin)
• Have sparkling water or a non-alcoholic bev on hand
• Make sober-friendly social plans (walks, coffee, workouts)
• Track how you feel—energy, mood, sleep, clarity

2. Prioritize Sleep Like It’s Your Job

When I removed alcohol, sleep became effortless. Now, it’s the anchor of my routine. I go to bed early, wind down intentionally, and treat my sleep schedule as non-negotiable. It’s made me sharper, calmer, and way more fun to be around.

Tips for where to start:

• Finish dinner 2–3 hours before bed
• Power down screens (especially social media) 1–2 hours before sleep
• Take magnesium in the evening
• Get back on track quickly after a late night
• Treat your bedroom like a sanctuary

Read more: The Secret to a Good Night’s Sleep? We Asked the Experts 3. Commit to Daily Movement

It used to be about changing how I looked. Now, I move to feel strong, present, and grounded. That mindset shift—from punishment to care—changed everything. I don’t dread workouts anymore. I look forward to them.

Tips for where to start:

• Find movement you love (strength training, walking, dancing)
• Block time on your calendar and protect it
• Don’t discount everyday movement—grocery runs count
• Invest in gear that helps you stay consistent
• Track how it makes you feel, not just your steps

4. Rebuild Your Relationship with Food

I stopped labeling food as “good” or “bad.” Instead, I ask: How do I want to feel? That question has led me toward more nourishing choices, but it’s also allowed room for pleasure. I eat dessert when I want it, and I don’t when I don’t. It’s simple—and that simplicity is powerful.

Tips for where to start:

• Add fruit when sugar cravings hit (berries are my go-to)
• Learn what fuels you—track how foods affect your energy, digestion, and mood
• Understand your cycle (apps like Flo help)
• Let go of food guilt—it’s not serving you
• Tune in: what do you want, not what’s in front of you

5. Stay Prepared

Planning has been one of the biggest kindnesses I’ve extended to myself. Whether I’m traveling or just navigating a busy day, having healthy defaults helps me stay aligned.

Tips for where to start:

• Keep portable snacks stocked (purse, car, desk)
• Plan workouts before going on trips
• Pack resistance bands or Bala bangles for hotel workouts
• Use calendar blocking to protect recharge time
• Always anticipate your future self’s needs

6. Understand Your Social Battery

Big shifts in my life showed me how much I needed community, but also how much I needed solitude. The key was learning to communicate that clearly and without apology.

Tips for where to start:

• Ask for support when you need it
• Be upfront about your energy: “I’d love to come, but I may leave early”
• Suggest hangouts that feel energizing: coffee walks, morning hikes
• Notice which relationships feel mutual and nourishing
• Let go of “shoulds” around socializing

7. Reclaim Your Mornings

My days started changing when I stopped reaching for my phone first thing. Now, I spend the first few minutes grounding myself—no notifications, no noise. Just breath, light, and a little space to think.

Tips for where to start:

• Keep your phone in another room overnight
• Start with a simple ritual: tea, journaling, light stretching
• Open a window or step outside first thing
• Avoid social media until after breakfast
• Anchor your morning with something that feels yours

Read more: 30 Morning Routine Ideas for Energy and Productivity 8. Curate Your Inputs

What you consume—digitally and emotionally—shapes how you feel. I cleaned up my social feeds, quieted the noise, and filled the gaps with beauty and calm. The difference in my headspace? Night and day.

Tips for where to start:

• Unfollow accounts that don’t align with your values
• Save uplifting content in a “mood board” folder
• Read before bed instead of scrolling
• Turn off push notifications
• Protect your peace like it’s a limited resource—because it is

9. Make Rest a Ritual

I used to rest only after I’d earned it. Now, I rest because I’m human. Because breaks aren’t lazy—they’re necessary. Incorporating little pauses throughout the day helps me stay creative and grounded.

Tips for where to start:

• Schedule 5-10 minute rest windows between tasks
• Take a “no multitasking” lunch break
• Light a candle or take a quick stretch instead of reaching for your phone
• Give yourself one screen-free evening per week
• Let rest be a default, not a reward

10. Let Go of Perfection

This one is ongoing. But every time I drop the pressure to do things perfectly, I feel more present. More creative. More free. It turns out, “good enough” is more than enough.

Tips for where to start:

• Replace all-or-nothing thinking with progress-over-perfection
• Celebrate small wins
• Let yourself try things without being good at them
• Speak to yourself with the same compassion you’d give a friend
• Remember: perfection is the enemy of growth

Final Thoughts

This self-care guide isn’t about becoming a “better” version of yourself. It’s about building a life that feels true. One small, intentional shift at a time. As we move into this new season, consider this your invitation to realign—not from a place of pressure, but from one of possibility.

You don’t need a Monday or a new year to begin again. August works just fine.

This post was last updated on August 7, 2025 to include new insights.