My Summer Reset: Slowing Down and Moving Forward
Hey fellow joy seekers,
As this school year comes to a close, I can feel it in my bones. This deep, heavy exhaustion that only educators truly understand. This year has been full of change, challenges, and moments that stretched me further than I expected. And while there has been so much good, I’m stepping into summer feeling completely burned out. And honestly? I’m ready to unplug. Let go of the year. Not even think about next year until I truly have to. And I know, I know that may come across as a terrible teacher moment. But sometimes, as teachers we have to.
This summer, I’m choosing something different. I’m choosing a reset. To allow myself to do what I find fun and makes me feel good. I want this summer to be a season of balance, adventure, and reconnection. A couple of summers ago, I fell into this beautiful rhythm, waking up, picking a hike, and just going. No pressure. No overthinking. Just movement, nature, and freedom. By the end of that summer, I felt like myself again. Fully recharged. Grounded. Ready. That’s what I’m chasing again, not perfection, but that feeling. So this will be my summer of balance. A summer of saying yes to adventure. A summer of saying yes to rest. A summer of saying yes to myself.
Nature is calling me back, and I am ready to answer.
This summer will be filled with:
Trail runs
Mountain bike rides
Camping trips
Time with friends
And so many hikes across Colorado
I have a whole list of trails I’m excited to explore, from moderate scenic routes to challenging alpine climbs like Pikes Peak, Mount Elbert, and Greys & Torreys. I am so excited to just experience nature. And more than anything, I’m excited to just be outside again. Last summer, between injury and grad school, I didn’t get that time. I was so afraid of missing due dates, or making the injury worse. I missed out on the feeling of being completely at peace, out in the mountains, where everything feels a little simpler. This year, I’m taking that time back.
I’m also stepping into something new, mountain biking. Since I started dating my boyfriend, it’s become such a fun part of my life. This summer I want to grow my confidence, push myself onto more challenging trails, and fully embrace being a beginner again. Growing up I had a bike. Its how I got to the pool, to a friends house and school. But I nevere really took it seriously as exercise. Because I run and swim people always mentioned that I should do triatholons, but I always found road biking boring. When my boyfriend encouraged me to go on trail and mountain bike rides, I started to realized that it can be fun.
What I’m Working On
This summer isn’t just about doing, it’s about becoming.
I want to:
Build my confidence
Create space for mindfulness
Start journaling consistently
Reconnect with who I am outside of teaching
This school year took so much of my energy, time and of myself. And while I gave everything I had, I know I need to refill my own cup. That is trly the only way that I can come back in the fall and be the best teacher I can be.
This year, I’m also working toward reading 26 books in 2026 (I’m behind, but we’re not focusing on that 😅). Right now, I’m listening to Be Your Own Bestie by Misha Brown, and wow, I feel seen, called out, and inspired all at once. In his book he has journaling prompts at the end of each chapter and I really do want to do each prompt. I read books in the past that had that, but I never really did it. I want to lean into those journaling exercises, reflect more deeply, and build routines that actually support me.
I hear it all the time: “You’re a teacher, you get summers off! So stop complaining.”
And yes, we do. But what people don’t always see is why we need them.
Teaching isn’t just a job it’s emotional, mental, and physical. It’s pouring into others all day long. It’s answering hundreds of questions, navigating challenges, supporting students through their hardest moments, and showing up every single day no matter what. Our classrooms become little families. And even with all the joy, it takes a lot out of you. Summer isn’t just a break it’s recovery. It’s healing, catching up on life, and slowly coming back to yourself so you can return in the fall ready to give again.
This summer feels extra special because I’m finally returning to running. After dealing with a stress reaction injury, I had to defer my entry into the Pikes Peak Ascent last year. But this September? I’m doing it.
And I’m not just doing it, I’m finally am able to start training for it. I’m still in my return-to-run phase, but every step feels like gratitude. I’m so happy to be back in my running shoes.
This time around, I’m also doing things differently:
Focusing on fueling my body properly
Hydrating with intention
Treating my body with respect, not neglect
Before, I was eating just to eat. Now, I’m learning to fuel for strength, recovery, and performance. I am learning how to eat with intention. I am learning to know what is going into my body. What kind of nutrition is in the food I eat. I am also trying to let go of the “oh no I ate a cookie, now I have to run it off” kind of mentality.
And more than anything, I’m reconnecting with the mental side of movement. Running and hiking have always been my therapy, and I didn’t realize just how much I needed them until they were gone. So finally having it back feels amazing. And I am learning how to appreciate movement and how my body feels afterwards.
If my injury taught me anything, it’s this: Slow down. Listen. Rest.
I didn’t listen when my body needed a break before, and I paid the price. Its taken me almost a full year being sidelined to learn how to take care of my body. To appreciate it and listen to what it needs.
This summer, I’m protecting my energy. I’m letting go of the need to push myself to burnout. I’m learning that rest doesn’t mean doing nothing, it means doing what fills you back up.
For me, rest can look like:
A slow morning with coffee
A quiet hike
A weekend camping trip
Turning off work and being fully present
I’m also working on sleep, really learning how to let my mind settle and truly rest. For the past few weeks, I have truly felt like on days that I would get 7-8 hours of sleep, I would never wake up rested. I want to teach my body how to truly shut off. And thats where finding a night time routine is so important to me. And I am letting my body help me decide. I love my morning routine. I want to find a night time routine that I love just as much.
One thing that I am learning now that I am in my 30’s and its that not every moment needs to be big to be meaningful.
This summer, I’m paying attention to the small things:
Morning routines that set the tone for the day
Building a calming nighttime routine
Journaling and reflecting
Keeping my space organized in a way that feels good
I want to be more intentional, not perfect, just consistent. Because honestly, joy lives in those small moments. I like to think that I live for the small moments, but we can all improve.
If there’s one thing I’m being careful about, it’s this: I don’t want to compare this summer to the summer of 2024. That summer was special and I would love to repeat it. But this one gets to be its own. I’m letting go of the pressure to “make it perfect.” I’m choosing to let it unfold, while still chasing that feeling of adventure, connection, and peace. Because at the end of the day, that’s what I really want: To feel like myself again.
This summer is about returning, to movement, to nature, to stillness, to joy. It’s about healing what this year took out of me and stepping into the next season stronger, calmer, and more grounded.
So here’s to a summer of:
Balance
Adventure
Growth
And choosing myself again
And maybe, just maybe… finding that version of me I’ve been missing.
