There are seasons where I’ve always felt more productive and on my game. They tend to be right after big transitions. Most notably, for me? The transition from the school year into the summer.

When I was younger, right after school ended, I would dive into a fresh routine, moving my body more regularly, eating more vegetables, drinking more water, and getting up at the same time each day. Once I graduated from college, I lost the seasonal marker that told me it was my time to start anew. Without this noticeable transitional period, I found it harder to ground my days in the comfort of structure and routine.

I’ve been thinking lately about why these periods of transition can be so transformative for people. I think it’s because they encourage us to pause, reflect, and create intentional spaces for ourselves to reset. Whether they’re at the end of the school year, the end of a season, or the end of the calendar year, they give us an opportunity to refresh our routines and our lives, to go back to the basics that serve us so well.

Our August theme is all about getting back to basics. It’s about taking stock of what happened in the summer, what we want to keep as we move forward, and what we need to let go.

As we move toward the end of summer—and the transition into fall that comes along with it—our August theme is all about getting back to basics. It’s about taking stock of what happened in the summer, what we want to keep as we move forward, and what we need to let go. Consider this your own opportunity to decide what your core needs are and what your ideal routine looks like; to do your own version of emotional, mental, and physical housekeeping; to mark the impending end of the season and shift forward into the next.

This August, our contributors will be writing about tips for getting (and staying) organized, how to decide on artwork that complements your home, and the magic of taking a solo retreat. I’ll be sharing what a day in my life has looked like lately (remodel chaos and all), a reveal of the kids’ room design (including the yet-to-be-seen painted beds!), and a shortlist of the tried and true beauty products I’ve relied on for years on end. Stay tuned for this and plenty more throughout the month ahead!

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Kate Arends

Kate is the founder of Wit & Delight. She is currently learning how to play tennis and is forever testing the boundaries of her creative muscle. Follow her on Instagram at @witanddelight_.