The lazy rhythms of summer are starting to fade, and the school year is suddenly here.
Whether you’re a parent, a teacher, or a student yourself, shifting from “summer mode” to “school mode” can feel a little jarring.
Even if “back to school” means nothing more to you than a few extra sales on office supplies, the end of summer can stir up some complicated feelings.
The long, unstructured days are behind us, and there’s a twinge of sadness as the pace of life shifts.
Whether you’re heading into a classroom, back to campus, or just back to business as usual, fall always asks us to re-find our rhythm.
1. Soak up the sunlight (while you can). As the days grow shorter, many of us start feeling the lack of sunlight without even realizing it. That drop can affect your mood and energy, thanks in part to lower vitamin D levels. Make it a priority to spend at least 10–15 minutes outside each day — whether that’s a walk on your lunch break, morning coffee on the porch, or reading a book by a sunny window. If you struggle to get enough daylight, talk to your doctor about safe Vitamin D supplements or consider using a light therapy lamp to help brighten those darker days.
2. Keep a little summer alive.The end of summer doesn’t have to feel like slamming a door shut.
Just because the calendar flipped doesn’t mean you need to abandon the things that made the season joyful. Think about small ways to weave summer into your September routines — an outdoor dinner once a week, Saturday morning trips to the farmers’ market, or even keeping that beach play list in rotation during your commute.
These small holdovers act as a gentle bridge between seasons, reminding you that joy doesn’t belong to just one time of year.
The trick is to carry forward what fills you up, even as the air cools and schedules tighten.
3. Create intentional routines (with a little tech help). Fall is a natural reset point, but routines don’t always fall into place on their own. Luckily, there are tools that can help. A shared digital calendar — like Google Calendar or Cozi — has all schedules in one place, so practices, meetings, and appointments don’t sneak up.
For meals, apps like Mealime, Paprika, or Plan to Eat take the stress out of “What’s for dinner?” by letting you plan ahead, generate grocery lists, and even save family favorites. Whether it’s planning out your week or streamlining mealtimes, the right tools make routines easier to build — and easier to stick with. The start of the school year is as good a “new year” as January.
4. Keep the conversations and quality time going. I miss the lazy days of summer when my kids and I could stay up late to connect, binge watch our favorite show or just enjoy time as a family without the pressure of school schedules. Transitions can take weeks, and open communication is key. Instead of the usual “How was your day?” (which almost always gets a shrug), try more specific prompts like “What made you laugh today?” or “What was the hardest part of your day?”
If you need inspiration, resources like TableTopics: Family Edition (a deck of conversation cards) or the Big Life Journal (which has prompts for resilience and growth mindset) can spark meaningful discussions. Even free printable lists of “after-school questions” are widely available online. The important part is showing kids you’re truly listening.
5. Make room for joy — and embrace the season. As schedules tighten and to-do lists grow, joy can slip quietly to the bottom of the list. The truth is, it doesn’t take much to build it back in.
Schedule a weekly ritual that brings you happiness — Friday night pizza, a Sunday walk, or a midweek coffee catch-up with a friend. Joy is often found in the little things, not the big events.
And while summer has its charms, fall offers its own magic if you pause long enough to notice it: the crunch of leaves underfoot, the golden glow of earlier sunsets, cozy sweaters, or the smell of something baking in the oven.
The cooler weather also makes it easier to tackle chores that were unbearable in the heat — like cleaning out the garage, tackling yard work, or refreshing outdoor spaces. When you pair those accomplishments with moments of seasonal joy, the shift from summer to autumn feels less like an ending and more like an invitation to reset and thrive.
The end of summer doesn’t have to mean the end of joy — it just means a shift in focus. With a bit of intention, the transition from summer to fall can feel less like loss and more like a new start.
(Editor’s Note: Kristine George is a freelance journalist who resides in Easton.)
