Staying Organized in the Busy Summer Months

Image Credit: Kampus Production

It’s summertime! For many of us, summer seems like the perfect time to sit back, relax, and bask in the glorious weather… but let’s be real, that’s rarely how it goes down!

Summer is BUSY—arguably the busiest time of the year. With kids' activities, family plans, FOMO, your day job, and those never-ending bucket lists, it’s easy to slip out of routines and get overwhelmed by all your moving parts. The sunshine months are packed with so much fun and chaos that keeping track of everything can feel like a Herculean task.

So, how can we juggle it all and still have a blast? Here are some tips to help you streamline your busy summer schedule and stay organized:

1. Create a Master Calendar

Get all those plans out of your head and onto paper (or a screen). A master calendar is your summer BFF, giving you a bird’s-eye view of all the activities, trips, and events. Whether you use a digital app or a good old-fashioned wall calendar, having everything in one place can save you from double-booking disasters and last-minute scrambles. We recommend a digital calendar that’s easily shareable, especially one where you can tag family members and friends to specific events! Think of it as your summer command center.

2. Set Weekly and Daily Priorities

Sure, the summer bucket list is long, but not everything needs to happen at once (and some things don’t need to happen at all!). Break down your big plans into weekly and daily priorities. Focus on a few key activities each week, and allow some wiggle room for spontaneous adventures. This approach keeps your schedule manageable and your stress levels low. Don’t sweat it if you can’t get to everything (like, maybe you DON’T need to go to that amusement park this year). Instead, focus on what you CAN do, and make the most of it! For example, prioritize a beach day with the family over a distant cousin's BBQ that no one is excited about (sorry, Jimmy). 

3. Stick to a Routine (Sort Of)

Even though summer is about breaking free from the usual grind, maintaining some semblance of a routine can be a lifesaver for your mental and physical health. Simple things like consistent meal times, bedtimes, and chore schedules can provide structure amidst the summer whirlwind. For instance, aim to have dinner around the same time each evening, or establish a morning routine that includes a quick tidy-up session. That said, be sure to remain flexible and open to spontaneous plans. Let summer be summer! And don’t forget to carve out some “me time” for a little self-care—because you deserve it. Maybe it’s a weekly yoga class, just 30 minutes with your favorite book, or staring out at the sunset.

4. Embrace the Power of Lists

Lists are oh-so magical. They keep you organized, focused, and give you that sweet satisfaction (aka dopamine hit) of checking things off. Create packing lists for trips (don’t forget the sunscreen!), grocery lists for barbecues (hello, s’mores!), and to-do lists for summer projects (finally painting that fence). Keep them handy, and let them guide you through the season with ease.

Image Credit: Ryan Jacobson

5. Get the Whole Family Involved

You’re not in this alone! Enlist the help of your family to keep the summer chaos in check. Assign age-appropriate chores to the kids (like watering the garden or setting the table), share the planning duties with your partner, and consider having regular family meetings to discuss the week ahead. We know that summer can be particularly tough on parents, so be sure to create space for yourself to come up with a game plan. Maybe Sunday evenings can be your time to sit down with a cup of tea and plan out the week ahead.

6. Use Technology to Your Advantage

There are tons of apps and tools designed to help you stay organized. From shared family calendars and to-do list apps to meal planning and budget trackers, technology can be your summer sidekick. Find the tools that work best for you and let them do the heavy lifting. Psst… we’re creating a one-stop-shop tool that takes everything we just mentioned and organizes it all in one place. Check out eeva for more info!

7. Prioritize Downtime

Amid all the busyness, remember to prioritize downtime. Nothing will get done if you’re overworked and exhausted! Schedule lazy afternoons, family movie nights, or simply time to do nothing. These moments of rest are crucial for recharging and fully enjoying the hustle and bustle of summer. Block out a few hours each week where there’s nothing on the agenda except chilling by the pool or having a picnic in the park.

Image Credit: Andrea Piacquadio

8. Plan Ahead for Back-to-School

While summer is in full swing, the school year will be here before you know it. Start prepping for the transition early to avoid last-minute stress. Gather school supplies, plan out routines (and communicate them to those kiddos!), and ease back into the school mindset as summer winds down. Consider having a “back-to-school” prep day where you and the kids pick out new supplies and organize their study spaces.

9. Enjoy the Moment

Above all, remember to enjoy the moment. It may be a SUPER busy time, but Summer is truly for making memories, having fun, and soaking up the sunshine. Embrace the chaos, laugh at the little mishaps, and cherish the time with your loved ones. Whether it’s an impromptu water balloon fight or a surprise trip to the ice cream shop, these are the moments that make summer special.

With these tips, you can conquer your summer schedule and have a blast doing it. Here’s to a fun, organized, and stress-free summer!

P.S. — Ever wished there was one centralized place to keep track of all things life? Well, eeva is gonna do exactly that. Sign up for our waitlist below to stay up-to-date and get first access when we’re up on the app store (very, very soon).

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