Who says fresh starts are only for the new year?

August carries its own kind of in-between energy. Although summer plans are winding down and the temperature is still hot, fall hasn’t arrived yet and "back to school" and pumpkin-flavored everything are creeping in. Consider this your gentle nudge to pause and reset—your way. No big overhaul and no pressure, just a few small shifts that can bring a welcome boost of clarity and calm.

Five Simple Resets To Try This Week:

1. Declutter your camera roll.

Delete the screenshots you’ll never look at, archive the blurry photos, and create space— for your phone and your mind.

2. Take a “fake commute.”

Even if you work from home, get out for a coffee, take the scenic route, or queue up a podcast that has nothing to do with work.

3. Audit your calendar.

Are you still honoring your boundaries? Clear out the obligations that drain you. Make room for what fuels you.

4. Do one thing purely for fun.

It doesn’t have to be productive to matter; for instance, catch a matinee, treat yourself to lunch away from home, or wander without your headphones.

5. Pick a word for fall.

Skip the goals and pick a guiding vibe instead: Centered. Brave. Rested. Focused. Choose which word feels right and let it shape your next season. Save it. Share it. Send it to a friend who needs a reset, too.

You don’t need permission to start fresh—but here it is anyway.