7 Simple Summer Goals to Help You Slow Down and Enjoy Life More

Want an easy, relaxed summer that helps you slow down and enjoy life more? Here are 7 simple summer goals to make the most of your summer.

HOW TO SET SIMPLE SUMMER GOALS THAT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO YOU

Summer is a great time to reset, take a breath, and enjoy the little things. Whether life feels busy or more relaxed right now, setting a few simple summer goals can help you use the season well—without adding pressure or stress.

However, I also know from years of juggling work and kids, that summer isn’t always that slow, calm and free schedule that we hope or expect it to be.

So the goals I’m talking about today aren’t about doing more. They’re about living with more intention. That means being clear on what matters to you, letting go of things that don’t, and making time for what helps you feel your best – in easy, manageable and realistic ways – and that will actually make a difference to your body, mind and daily life.

Here are 7 simple summer goals to help you feel more calm, more present, and more in control—plus tips to help you get started today.

WHY SET GOALS IN SUMMER?

Most people set goals in January, but summer is actually a great time to reflect and make small changes. Life often slows down a little—there’s more daylight, school holidays, maybe a lighter schedule.

Setting summer goals helps you:

• Stay focused on what really matters to you
• Stop drifting through your days feeling distracted or overwhelmed
• Make the most of your time without overfilling it
• Feel calmer, clearer, and more in control
• Be in a good place mentally for autumn busy season

But this article isn’t about trying to do everything. It’s about planning to make the most of your summer in a simple, more strategic way.

7 SUMMER GOALS TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR SUMMER

So, for the busy, overwhelmed amongst us, or if you’re just looking for a few easy ideas to weave into your every day, let’s keep it simple. One or two small goals can make a big difference.

1. Spend More Time Outside

Spending time in nature can boost your mood, help you sleep better and lower stress.

Ideas to try:

• Take your morning coffee into the garden
• Go for a short walk after dinner
• Eat lunch in the park or on a bench
• Plan a nature day out—woods, beach, lake or fields

Even 10 minutes outside a day can help you feel more refreshed and peaceful in body and mind.

2. Clear Some Clutter

Yes, many of my articles about simplifying and living more intentionally also include a reminder to declutter. That’s because research has shown that a tidy, decluttered space helps you think more clearly and feel less overwhelmed. Summer is a good time to clear out what you no longer need. Especially so you can head into the busy season after holidays with a clearer mind and home that’s easier to run.

Start decluttering in a small way:

• One drawer or shelf at a time
• Clear your car, your bag, or your kitchen surfaces
• Donate or recycle what you don’t use

Less clutter at home = more calm in your mind.

3. Switch Off From Screens

It’s easy to lose hours scrolling, especially in the summer when routines shift. But too much screen time can leave you feeling tired, flat or like you’ve wasted the day.

Try this:

• Set screen-free times (like after dinner or first thing in the morning)
• Keep your phone in another room during family time
• Leave your phone at home for short walks

Use the extra time for something that recharges you—reading, resting, chatting, or just being quiet.

4. Create a Summer Routine That Works for You

Summer often means a change in routine—but it’s still helpful to have a loose structure to your day.

Think about:

• When you’ll wake up and go to bed
• When you’ll rest or have quiet time
• When you’ll eat, move your body or get outside

Keep it flexible. The goal isn’t to control every hour—it’s to feel steady and supported in your day.

One of the reasons I like (flexible) routine is that helps me check in with how I’m feeling. If I’m struggling with a habit or routine that I do every day then I’m more likely to notice that and then be able to do something about it.

For example, my usual practice is to sit quietly before bedtime and reflect on my day, how it went and what I’m grateful for. I just sit and think for about 10 minutes. And I do this every evening without fail. On an evening where I struggle to focus, or to sit quietly without fidgeting, I know that it’s because, for example, I’ve got something weighing on my mind, or I’m wired from the day and need to unwind. That in turn tells me I need to deal with whatever issue is on my mind, or plan for an easier day day tomorrow.

Why don’t you try it for yourself? Create a routine for your day, try to keep it up for a couple of weeks or a month, and notice the days when that routine is more difficult to keep to. Appreciate how this increases your awareness and use it as a tool to explore what might be contributing to the difficulty.

5. Do Something Just for You

Life can feel full of responsibilities, especially during school holidays or busy seasons. Make space for something that fills your cup.

Some simple ideas:

• Try a hobby you’ve been curious about
• Go for a solo coffee or walk
• Read a book just because you want to
• Say yes to something fun—or no to something draining

Even 20 minutes a week just for you can boost your energy and mood. The key is to actively plan and make space for yourself. It often won’t happen unless you make it happen!

6. Choose One Health Habit to Focus On

You don’t need a full health overhaul—just one small step that helps you feel better in your body.

Pick one:

• Drink more water
• Move your body every day (walks count!)
• Eat more fresh food (try these tips for healthier eating)
• Get to bed a little earlier

Small habits add up over time. Choose something that feels doable, not difficult.

7. Set One Intentional Goal

Think about how you want to FEEL this summer. Then set one small goal that supports that feeling.

Examples:

• Want to feel calmer? Set a goal to journal 3 times a week.
• Want to feel more connected? Plan one catch-up with a friend each week.
• Want to feel more present? Leave your phone behind during walks.

A good goal fits your season of life and helps you live more how you want to feel.

CONCLUSION

Summer goals don’t need to be big, perfect, or complicated. Just one or two gentle goals can help you enjoy your days more and feel like you’re living with purpose—not just getting through.

Do you have any summer goals? Maybe you set yourself a challenge for each summer? Or do you prefer to just let summer dictate its own rhythms and routines? I’d love to hear from you so please leave a comment below.

SUMMER GOAL-SETTING FAQs

Perhaps you’ve been reading this article and have a few questions. Here are some which come up quite often.

1. Do I really need to set goals in summer? Isn’t that just for New Year?

Summer is actually a great time to set goals! Life often slows down a little, and the longer days can give you more space to reflect. Setting simple goals now helps you stay focused on what matters and enjoy the season more—without the pressure of New Year’s resolutions.

2. What’s the difference between a summer goal and a regular goal?

Summer goals are usually more seasonal, flexible and focused on how you want to feel. They can be lighter, more playful, or more about rest and reflection than hard deadlines or big changes. Think: “spend more time outside” instead of “run 5k every day”.

3. I always forget my goals. How can I stay on track?

Keep it simple and visible. Try writing your goals on a sticky note, using a printable tracker, or setting a phone reminder. It helps to check in weekly—just 5 minutes to ask, “How’s it going?” and “Do I need to adjust anything?” You might find this article helpful on weekly planning and goal-setting.

4. I’m really busy—what if I don’t have time for summer goals?

You don’t need lots of time. A good summer goal can take just 10–15 minutes a day (or week!). The key is choosing goals that support you, not stress you. Even something like “rest for 10 minutes each afternoon” is a powerful goal if it helps you feel better and gives you more energy for the rest of your day.

5. What if I don’t stick to my goals?

That’s totally normal. Life changes, and goals should be flexible. If something’s not working, adjust it. The point isn’t to be perfect—it’s to pay attention to what matters to you and take small steps towards it. And that can change with the ups and downs of life.

6. How many goals should I set for summer?

One to three is plenty. Too many goals can feel overwhelming. Choose one that energises you, one that supports your wellbeing, or one that helps you enjoy summer more. Less is more—especially in a season meant for slowing down.

7. How do I choose the right goal for me?

Ask yourself:

• What’s feeling hard or heavy right now?
• What would help me feel lighter, calmer or more like myself?
• What would I love to do just because? Feel uncomfortable with this one? I did too because much of my life has revolved around feeling like I have to do more, do everything and do it perfectly. It was about responsibility, commitment and hard work. Now I practice being comfortable with, and giving myself permission to do, something just because.)

Pick a goal that feels meaningful, not just impressive. You don’t even need to tell anyone else about your goals. The best goals support your wellbeing, not your To Do list, or just which sound good.

READ THESE NEXT…

I really hope you enjoyed this article and it’s helped you begin thinking how to make the very most of your summer. Here are some more resources to help you set some great summer goals.

• How to Exercise Regularly Even If You Don’t Want To
• How to Plan for a Simple and Stress-Free Summer
• 10 Things I Do Before Checking My Phone First Thing Every Morning
• 6 Self-Care Habits for Your Daily Routine
• 30 Things to Declutter in July So You Can Enjoy Summer More

And just a friendly reminder, checking in with your goals regularly is vital because life changes and you change. We’ve looked at some of the benefits of setting goals in this article already, but think about this…

If you’re trying to meet a goal that you set last year but life and you have moved on, that goal might not be as important or relevant as it once was. That’s not much of an incentive to work hard at the goal is it and maybe it’s even not the best use of your time and energy?! That’s why refreshing your goals is vital.

TRY THIS FREE CHALLENGE

Sometimes we don’t know what goals to set or what we’d like to learn more about or change or discover so goal-setting feels a bit overwhelming. So why not go back to basics with this free 30-Day Personal Growth Challenge?

It will help you learn a little bit more about yourself, what you enjoy and makes you happy. Then you could go on to set your own goals based on what you’ve learned about yourself. You could even take this challenge as one of your own summer goals. Just take one prompt a day each day for the next month.

Pop your details in the box below and I’ll send you all the information you need right away!