Summer arrives with its particular energy. Longer days, altered routines, vacations, travel. Everything changes.
For many, this means the end of habits built during the year. "I'll pick it up again in September."
But it can be exactly the opposite.
The September trap
"I'll start in September" is the "I'll start Monday" of seasons. It's procrastination disguised as planning.
Every time you "pause" a habit, you don't pause it. You abandon it. Resuming will require almost the same effort as starting from zero.
Summer's opportunity
But summer also offers something unique: flexibility. Without the rigid routines of the rest of the year, you can experiment.
Summer is the perfect laboratory to try new versions of your habits.
More time outdoors. Can you do your habit outside?
Different schedules. Early sunrises are perfect for morning habits.
New environments. Traveling doesn't have to be the end. It can be proof that your habit is portable.
Strategies for summer
1. Vacation version. Create a reduced version of each habit for vacation days.
2. Traveling anchors. Identify cues that exist anywhere: after coffee, before sleep, upon waking.
3. Keep tracking.
4. Summer companions. Share your habits with someone you'll spend time with this summer.
Choose wisely. Your September self will thank you.