Photo by Maksim Goncharenok

If you’re reading this while hiding in your office, counting down the days until school starts, or feeling that familiar “ready to bust it” energy that comes with late summer – you’re not alone. That restless, activated feeling so many mothers experience between summer camp ending and school beginning isn’t just in your head. It’s actually your body responding to natural seasonal and cyclical rhythms that most of us have never learned to understand or work with.

The Real Reason Summer Leaves Us Depleted

Summer promises magic, and it delivers – but it also leaves many of us feeling completely drained. Between the endless snacks, the twentieth lemonade your kids won’t actually drink, and the complete lack of routine that felt so freeing in June, we’re now experiencing what I call “the end-of-summer buzz.”

This isn’t just about being tired of managing constant entertainment and sugar crashes. There’s something deeper happening here that connects to how our bodies naturally move through seasonal cycles.

Understanding Your Body’s Seasonal Wisdom

Here’s what most women don’t know: the four seasons mirror the four stages of the menstrual cycle, and late summer corresponds directly to the luteal phase – that longest stage right before your period. Just like in the luteal phase, late summer has two parts. The first part is energizing and buzzy – you feel organized, ready to tackle projects, maybe even excited about fall planning.

But as late summer progresses, just like in the second half of the luteal phase, your body temperature naturally rises. You become more activated, more easily irritated, and ready for a release. It’s not coincidence that so many moms feel like they’re about to explode right before school starts – your body is literally heating up and building energy that needs somewhere to go.

This isn’t something wrong with you. This is your body following ancient wisdom and natural rhythms.

The Problem with Ignoring Our Natural Rhythms

When we don’t understand these cyclical patterns, we tend to fight against them instead of working with them. We push through the activated energy, suppress the irritation, and wonder why we feel so scattered and overwhelmed. We might even feel guilty for not being more grateful for summer “freedom” or for counting down to school starting.

But here’s the truth: your body is designed to have rhythm, structure, and routine – especially when it comes to practices that actually nourish you. The lack of routine that feels so fun initially eventually becomes destabilizing for your nervous system.

What Your Body Actually Needs Right Now

Instead of pushing through or feeling guilty about this activated state, this is the perfect time for what I call a “begin again” moment. Whether you had self-care routines before summer that fell by the wayside, or you’ve never had consistent practices for mothering yourself, seasonal transitions offer natural reset points.

The key is distinguishing between practices that truly nourish you and activities that just make you feel productive. Real self-care isn’t organizing another drawer or catching up on tasks. It’s intentionally connecting with practices that bring you into states of joy, pleasure, ease, and rest.

This might look like:

• Taking phone-free walks in nature
• Practicing yoga nidra (a rest practice)
• Rolling on therapy balls to release physical tension
• Gentle movement that feels good in your body
• Meditation or breathwork practices

The magic number? Just 10 minutes a day of truly intentional practice.

The Power of Community in Creating Change

One of the biggest differences between sustainable self-care and sporadic attempts at “me time” is community support. When we try to create new habits in isolation, it’s incredibly easy to skip days, make excuses, or abandon practices when life gets busy.

But when we’re part of a supportive community all working toward the same goal, something shifts. We become more likely to show up for ourselves, more motivated to try new practices, and more forgiving when we have off days. There’s also something powerful about sharing what works and learning from other mothers who are navigating similar challenges.

Working with Your Inner Wisdom vs. Inner Anxiety

As you think about what practices might nourish you, pay attention to the voice that’s guiding your choices. Is it your inner planner, trying to check boxes and be “productive”? Is it anxiety, pushing you toward activities that feel urgent but don’t actually restore you?

Or is it a deeper wisdom that knows what your body, mind, and spirit actually need right now?

Learning to distinguish between these different inner voices is crucial for creating practices that actually support you rather than just adding to your to-do list.

Your Invitation to Begin Again

If you’re feeling that late summer activation, that “ready to bust it” energy, or that longing for routine and structure – this is your moment. Instead of waiting until you feel completely overwhelmed or until New Year’s resolutions roll around, you can use this natural seasonal transition as your reset point.

Consider this your invitation to prioritize 10 minutes a day for practices that actually nourish you. Whether you’re someone who likes specific guidance or prefers the flexibility to choose what feels right each day, the most important thing is making the commitment to yourself.

Your future self – the one who’s moving through the Fall with more ease, joy, and resilience – will thank you for starting now.

Remember: you’re not alone if you are feeling activated right now. You’re not ungrateful for wanting routine back. You’re simply human, responding to natural rhythms that have been guiding women for thousands of years. Trust that wisdom, and give yourself permission to begin again.