Soak It Up: 3 Intentional Ways to Reclaim Summer

by Jennifer Swartley, Executive Coach

As we gear up for the summer months ahead, let’s set some intentions to make the most of this spacious season. Whether you work a job that offers more time off, you’re a caretaker with kids home from school, or you want to enjoy your weekends and the warm weather more fully, now’s the time to create a plan. One that ensures you’re soaking it all in, not looking up in September wondering where the time went.

Here are my top three tips for being intentional with your summer:

1. Determine how you want to feel, not just what you want to do

We live in a society obsessed with productivity. That mindset often spills into our downtime, filling even our leisure hours with tasks and to-dos. We become human doings instead of human beings. This summer, I challenge you to set a goal rooted in how you want to feel rather than just what you want to accomplish.

Let a specific emotion be your compass this summer, helping you recalibrate your nervous system and your priorities.

For me, this summer is about play. I want to tap into a sense of youthful fun and lightness. I’ll be saying yes to silly games with my kids, trying new hobbies just for fun, and picking up casual games like pickleball with a beginner’s mindset. I’ll chase fireflies and swing at the park because prioritizing play helps unlock a part of me that often gets buried during the structured year. Additionally, it aligns well with my core values of curiosity and learning.

Your Turn: What’s your word? How do you want to feel this summer? What’s one small thing you can do today to embody that feeling?

Soak It Up: 3 Intentional Ways to Reclaim Summer cont'd

2. Unplug. Really unplug

Lately, I’ve been craving a social media break and time away from my phone. Summer offers the perfect opportunity to reclaim some of that space. My phone holds my calendar, email, work apps, and so much more. It tethers me to responsibility and constantly interrupts my day with reminders of what needs to be done or what I should be paying attention to. While summer doesn’t erase those obligations, it does invite me to create more pockets of presence.

I’m starting with 24 hours of technology-free time each week and will build from there. Research shows unplugging reduces stress, improves focus, and enhances well-being. More importantly, it helps me be more present with my husband and kids, in my relationship with myself, and in the work that matters most. Presence is where joy lives. And when we practice it intentionally, even briefly, we start to feel more grounded, more attuned, and more alive.

Your Turn: When will you unplug this summer? Will it be a daily ritual, part of your vacation, or a tech-free weekend? Set the intention and make it happen.

3. Carve out more YOU time

Between work and family demands, our personal time often gets pushed to the scraps at the end of the day. It’s no wonder we default to scrolling or zoning out in front of the TV.

But summer gives us a chance to reset that rhythm. We can carve out more time for our own creative pursuits —those acts of self-expression that tap into our natural gifts, interests, and talents. It’s what my dear friend and mentor, Eve Rodsky, has coined as Unicorn Space

This summer, I’ll be returning to writing and sharing my articles more consistently with my community of burnt-out overachievers eager to rebalance their priorities and redefine success. Whether it’s writing, cooking, pottery, or joining a community choir, permit yourself to explore your creative spark. Protect it like it's your job.

Your Turn: What’s calling to you creatively right now? If you’re unsure, take a moment to reflect on what sparks your interest and passion. What would it take to make time for it? And can you believe, just for a moment, that you’re worth it?

I hope these simple shifts help you reclaim your summer with more presence, joy, and intention. I’ll be the one playing lawn games without my phone in hand, following my creative pursuits. I hope you will, too.

Jennifer Swartley

A World Coach Institute (WCI)-certified executive coach trained in the Fair Play method. She helps professionals redefine success on their own terms and avoid burnout. Connect with her at jenniferswartley.com, on Instagram @jenswartley, or via LinkedIn at Jennifer Toth Swartley.