Summer gives you an opportunity to prepare for the months ahead, creating a foundation for a smoother, more enjoyable winter. Whilst it’s tempting to spend these sunny days entirely in relaxation mode, investing a bit of time now in practical preparation can boost your wellbeing when the colder months arrive.
1) Clear the Chaos (So You Can Breathe Later)
Decluttering your life during summer creates space—both physical and mental—for the busier months ahead. Start with your digital environment: unsubscribe from emails that no longer serve you, organise files on your computer, and delete apps you haven’t used in months. This digital decluttering can lower cognitive overload and improve focus. Move on to light home organisation tasks that will pay dividends later. Conduct your seasonal wardrobe changeover now, getting rid of items you didn’t wear last winter whilst they’re fresh in your memory. Book those essential appointments that become harder to secure during busy autumn months, such as eye tests, boiler services, and tyre changes for winter driving. Recent studies show that decluttering can reduce stress hormone cortisol levels and create a more calming environment, with organised homes producing positive emotions like calmness and well-being.
2) Lock in Something to Look Forward To
The psychological power of anticipation cannot be overstated. Having something exciting planned can improve your current mood and mental resilience. Research shows that anticipating positive events triggers dopamine release in the brain, creating feelings of pleasure and motivation that extend well beyond the event itself. Consider booking yourself a winter escape whilst summer deals are available and your calendar is clearer. Whether it’s ski holidays in Andorra with great alpine adventures, a warm-weather getaway, or even a special staycation, having something concrete to anticipate gives you what psychologists call “anticipatory joy”. Studies published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology reveal that people gain more benefits from anticipating positive events than from recalling past positive experiences, with anticipation helping lower anxiety and depression whilst increasing motivation to persevere through challenges.
3) Do One Thing You Always Say You’ll Do (But Never Do)
Summer’s relaxed pace offers the perfect opportunity to tackle that personal project you’ve been postponing. Whether it’s learning a new skill, starting a creative hobby, or finally reading that stack of books, now is the time to begin. The key is starting something that brings you joy instead of just productivity. This method of investing in personal fulfilment rather than mere efficiency creates what psychologists term “eudaimonic well-being”, which is happiness derived from meaningful activities instead of fleeting pleasures. Small, consistent steps taken now can change how you experience the entire winter season, providing indoor activities and personal growth opportunities when outdoor options become limited.
The beauty of summer preparation is not in creating an exhaustive to-do list but in making thoughtful choices that create breathing room, excitement, and personal enrichment for the months ahead. Your future self, navigating the challenges of winter with organised surroundings, exciting plans, and engaging projects, will thank you for these summer investments in wellbeing.