The Realistic August Reset for Working Women
August holds a special type of power within it. The sun still lingers late into the evening, summer still simmers, but as the end of the month draws closer, something shifts in the air. For many ambitious women, working moms, and female founders, August feels like a second New Year. The kids are about to go back to school, the teammates are returning from vacations, a reenergizing buzz is in the air, and as September nears, it’s a perfect time to pause, reflect, and gently begin again.
However, the August reset is just a little different from January’s bold resolutions and goals; August invites something softer. It’s a recalibration, a reset that doesn’t demand perfection from you. If you’re craving more mental clarity, smoother routines, or a check-in with your goals (without the guilt), this is your invitation to press reset in a way that actually honors your capacity. So, let’s begin.
Reclaiming Mental Bandwidth
If your brain feels like there are 52 tabs open, you’re not alone. As working women and career moms, we often carry around an invisible mental load that doesn’t get to clock out at 5 pm. August is a perfect time to check in: Where is your energy going? What’s draining you? What do you enjoy most?
Why not try this?
Schedule a ‘white space’ day. A day with no meetings, errands, or obligations. If you’re a mom who needs space away from the kids and your spouse, consider getting a babysitter. If you’re just overscheduled, cancel your meetings and commitments. It’s a day for you to fully rest and recharge without the pressure of having hundreds of tasks to do.
Clear out your inbox. Set aside some time to clear out your inbox, unsubscribe from digital noise, and subscribe to things that truly matter to you. The key here is not to let yourself get distracted by every new email that arrives, or conflicting responsibilities you deem of higher importance. Because if you can even commit an hour to this digital clean-up, you’d walk away feeling lighter, more organized, and calm.
The art of saying “no.” You want to take on everything, every opportunity, and every client, as well as every project. Am I right? But sometimes you have to say, “not right now.” It might not align with your brand, or you just don’t have the time to give it your all.
Unwrapped Wisdom: Clearing mental clutter creates more room for creativity, calm, and clarity. It isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing less but better.
Refreshing Your Routine
Not all routines need to be totally reset; this is a refresh. We are touching up what already works while rethinking what doesn’t work, making a series of micro-adjustments, instead of a massive and unnecessary overhaul. During your day, make a note of the things that are working and what feels heavy, outdated, or unnecessarily complicated.
My Recommendations:
Rebuild (or establish for the first time) a morning or Sunday reset ritual that supports you and your family. These can be updated depending on the season! This can be as simple as sitting down and looking through your calendar for the following week, and scheduling in “time for a walk,” “journaling,” or “lunch with a friend,” in addition to the necessary appointments. Or, it can be as complex as writing out your weekly list, and booking your workout classes in advance. You choose.
Choose one task to automate or delegate, whether it’s meal planning, carpool drop off, or content batching. Whatever it is, stick with it. I know you love control, but releasing one additional task will give you space for insight and inspiration.
Add a small joy trigger to your day, a playlist, a scented candle, or a 10-minute walk without your phone. It’s amazing what 10 minutes, or one playlist, can do!
Take a few minutes a day to journal, whether it’s to simplify what happened in your day or use it as a time to reflect. You might be surprised by what surfaces when you let yourself reflect without pressure!
Create a routine that supports your energy, not restricts it. It might take a couple of tries to get it right, but that's normal.
A Gentle Goal Check-In
Can I ask you something? How are your 2025 goals feeling? But really, how are they feeling?
August isn’t the time to grind harder; it’s the time to ask yourself some honest, compassionate questions.
Ask yourself:
What still feels aligned?
What have I outgrown or completed?
What has been successful so far this year?
What was a total miss because I’ve a) changed direction, or b) realized the goal was unrealistic?
This is permission granted to revise your goals, or just release them entirely. Growth isn’t a straight line; sometimes it’s a messy road to get there.
Need a Helping Hand?
If part of your reset includes finally giving your personal brand the energy it deserves, I see you, and I am here to help. Whether you’ve been DIYing things for years or waiting for that perfect time to start, your voice deserves to be heard. Your brand is more than just the logo - it is your story, your voice, and your impact.
In collaboration with Helen Thompson Design, we have created the DIY Branding Course. It is a step-by-step, self-led program designed to help women entrepreneurs, creatives, and small business owners craft a brand that truly reflects their vision.
There has never been a better time to take the step to elevate your brand’s presence online and offline. Led by expert guidance, you’ll learn everything from branding fundamentals to defining your brand's personality to create a polished visual identity that stands out in a crowded market.
Click here to sign up.
Your Reset Doesn’t Have to Be Radical
You don’t need a complete life makeover to feel better. You don’t need to hustle harder to feel caught up. All you need is a little space, intention, and self-trust. You’ve got this, one small step at a time.
