If you’ve been following my column for a while, you may have noticed the shift that started last year and have quietly rebuilt everything. I have quit my job. I gave up on alcohol. I began reconnecting with movement and nourishing my body from a place of care rather than control. I have not embarked on an overhaul of my life, but one change in habit leads to the next, and a year later, the transformation feels realistic and lasting. writer. strong. More clearer. This self-care guide reflects the practices that helped me get here. And we continue to return to what will be the season after the season.
Your End of Summer Self-Care Guide: 10 Habits That Changed My Life
We often think of January as a season for a fresh start, but here’s a little secret: August might even be even better. Whether you are preparing for a new grade (your child, or simply a seasonal rhythm), or a craving structure after a slow summer, this moment is ripe for reflection and reinvention.
Below are 10 self-care habits that will help me feel more connected, more energetic and more secure in my daily life. This is not perfect, it’s about creating a rhythm that’s nourishing, sustainable and honest.
1. Gutter alcohol (temporarily)
What started as a 30-day break has turned into one of my most meaningful lifestyle shifts. At the time of writing, it has been over a year since I last drank my drink. A sunny morning. Deeper sleep. More intentional social time. And above all, there is a sense of trust in yourself.
Where should you start:
- Find your community through podcasts, newsletters, or group texts
- Select a time frame (30 or 60 days is the best place to start)
- Have a sparkling water or non-alcoholic bev on hand
- Create a calm social plan (walk, coffee, training)
- Track your feelings, including energy, mood, sleep, clarity
2. I prioritize sleep like your job
When I removed the alcohol, my sleep was easier. Now it’s the anchor of my routine. I go to bed early, get caught up in intentionally, treat my sleep schedule as unnegotiable. It made me sharp, calm and made me more enjoyable to be around.
Where should you start:
- Finish dinner 2-3 hours before going to bed
- Power your screen (especially social media) 1-2 hours before sleep
- I’ll take magnesium in the evening
- Get back on track soon after midnight
- Treat your bedroom like a sanctuary
3. Commit to daily movements
Previously, it was about changing what I looked like. Now I move to feel strong, present and grounded. That change in thinking – from punishment to care – has changed everything. I’m not afraid of training anymore. I look forward to them.
Where should you start:
- Find the movements you love (strength training, walking, dancing)
- Block and protect calendar time
- Don’t discount your daily movements – groceries count
- Invest in gear that helps you stay consistent
- Track your steps as well as how it makes you feel
4. Rebuild your relationship with food
I stopped labeling food as “good” or “bad.” Instead, I ask: How do you want to feel? That question has led me to a more nourishing choice, but it also allows for room for joy. I eat dessert when I want it, and I don’t when I don’t. It’s easy and its simplicity is powerful.
Where should you start:
- Add fruit when sugar cravings hit (berry is my favourite)
- Learn what you fuel – track how food affects your energy, digestion and mood
- Understanding your cycle (apps like flo help)
- Let go of the food guilt. It’s not serving you
- Adjustment: What do you do? you I want it, not something that’s in front of you
5. Get ready
The plan is one of the greatest kindness I’ve expanded to myself. Whether you’re traveling or navigating through a busy day, having a healthy default helps me to align.
Where should you start:
- Keep portable snacks in stock (wallets, cars, desks)
- Plan your workout before you go on a trip
- Pack resistance band or Rose bangle For hotel training
- Use calendar blocking to protect charging times
- Always predict your future self-needs
6. Understand social batteries
The major changes in my life showed not only how much I need community, but how much solitude I need. The key was to learn to communicate it clearly without an apology.
Where should you start:
- Seek support when you need it
- In advance about your energy: “I want to come, but I might leave early.”
- We propose hangouts that allow you to feel energy: coffee walks, morning hiking
- Keep an eye on which relationships feel mutual and nourished
- Let go of the “shoulder” related to socializing
7. I’ll get back the morning
My days began to change when I first stopped reaching for the phone. Now I spend the first few minutes grounding myself. There is no notifications and no noise. Just breathe, lightly, and think a little.
Where should you start:
- Leave your phone in another room overnight
- Start with a simple ritual: tea, journaling, light stretching
- Open the window or go outside first
- Avoid social media until after breakfast
- Stick your mornings with something that will make you feel your
8. Curate the input
What you consume shapes how you feel – distance and emotionally. I cleaned up my social feed, quieted the noise, filled the gap with beauty and calm. What’s the difference in my headspace? Noon and noon.
Where should you start:
- Unlock an account that doesn’t match your value
- Save uplifting content in the “Moodboard” folder
- Read it before going to bed instead of scrolling
- Turn off push notifications
- Protect your peace like it’s a limited resource – it
9. Make rest a ritual
I only rested after winning it. Now I’m resting Because I am a human. Breaks are not lazy, so you need them. Incorporating small pauses throughout the day helps me stay creative and grounded.
Where should you start:
- Schedule a 5-10 minute break window between tasks
- Take a “no multitasking” lunch break
- Instead of reaching for your phone, light up the candle or stretch it out immediately
- Give me one screen-free night a week
- Make it default, not reward
10. Let go of perfection
This is ongoing. But every time I lower the pressure to do things perfectly, I feel there is more. More creative. More free. “Sufficient” is enough.
Where should you start:
- Replace all-or-nothing thinking with progress
- Celebrating a small victory
- Try it on yourself even if you’re not good at it
- Talk to yourself with the same kind of compassion you give to your friends
- Remember: Perfection is the enemy of growth
Final thoughts
This self-care guide is not about becoming a “better” version of yourself. It’s about creating a life that feels true. One small, intentional shift at a time. As you move into this new season, invite us to reorganize this from one of the possibilities, not from a place of pressure.
You don’t need Mondays or a new year to start again. August works well.
This post was last updated on August 7, 2025 to include new insights.
Source: Camille Styles – camillestyles.com
