10 Simplified Ways to Make Your August Calendar Less Overwhelming

When I was a kid, August was fully summer, climaxing with the country fair, endcapped with the livestock encampment at the Minnesota State Fair. The years that state fair trips bled into September, we started school after life settled. You get that kind of flexibility when you’re homeschooled. But now, my August calendar is filled with back-to-school orientations, haircuts, last-minute shopping, gymnastics carpools, football games, and adjusted bedtimes–not pine shavings, horse races, and freshly fried donuts.

It’s a big ask to pretend the sun’s not still out late and the weather isn’t still pleasant, to shift from outdoors to in, to rein in sleepovers and lemonade stands and unscheduled play. 

I’d guess from your extra errands and erased white space that you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed by your August calendar as well. 

If meal-prep sounds exhausting . . .

If your quiet time is inconsistent (or non-existent) . . .

If you’re already wondering how to clone yourself . . .

If you want meaningful moments in the midst of the busy . . .

If you long for authentic community . . .

If you wish you could just slow August down a tad . . .

This list of tips is for you.

They’re practical. Easy to implement. Gifts from my actual life to you.

Is your August calendar overwhelming? Here are some ideas!

1–Shorten your quiet time.

If quiet is hard to find, you don’t have to forgo meaningful time with God. Dial back your expectations and commit to just five minutes a morning. This handy, 5-minute quiet time guide from Jennifer Dukes Lee is free to download.

2–Grill extra meat.

My husband is eating a carnivore/keto diet, and one of my daughters eats dairy-free, so dinner is often grilled meat, a vegetable or two, and a simple, often re-warmed side for everyone sans my husband. Keeping extra grilled meat in the fridge makes packing lunches and dinner-on-the-go nights easier.

3–Put away one load of laundry a day.

The challenge for me isn’t starting a load of laundry a day, it’s emptying the dryer before my girls need to dry a load of their clothes. If the dryer isn’t available, the clothes get added to an already full laundry basket, and I need to dewrinkle before I can fold (or hang) them. So my staying-on-top-of-the-laundry tip is to put away one load a day.

4–Use a daily or weekly spray for the shower.

Save yourself some time and spritz your showers with a no-scrub spray. Both daily and weekly options for maintaining a clean tub are available on Amazon, if not also locally.

5–Keep an extra battery pack in your purse.

If you’re on the go a lot the next few weeks, keep a portable charger with you. Drained phone batteries can add unnecessary stress. Stay one step ahead, and you won’t even have to worry about where to recharge your phone.

6–Add cayenne and lime to your water bottle.

Not only does this combo boost metabolism, but it’s also invigorating. Especially later in the afternoon, when you’re limiting caffeine, this is a great way to stay awake!

7–Take a fresh-air break.

Sometimes a few minutes with the sun warming your face or the wind stirring your hair is the best way to decompress. If you resist slowing down, like I do, set a timer and take a fresh-air break. Plus, spending some time where you are visible to neighbors (like your front yard) makes it much easier to grow friendships. Double win!

8–Do a short-burst workout.

If your regular walk or workout feels overwhelming to fit into your August calendar, temporarily shorten your exercise routine. Speed up to a run for a shorter amount of time or do a few power-paced rounds of HIIT (high-intensity interval training). Modify rather than miss your workout because a clear mind and energized body will be helpful for the rest of the day.

9–Chat with a neighbor.

When margin feels minimal, we tend to sacrifice our need for genuine connection. And yet, as Nichole J. Suvar writes in I Don’t Have to Hold it All Together, “Community is more than just a nice-to-have; it’s a critical component of our health, woven into the fabric of our well-being.” Proximity is on your side when it comes to small pockets of time. A short, meaningful conversation with a friend who lives within walking distance can refuel both of you!

10–Loosen the reins.

If you have kids, consider age-appropriate ways you can encourage them to practice independence. Let them eat dinner with a neighbor friend and return the favor another day. Trust them to pack their lunch or make an afternoon snack for them and their friends. Encourage them to get creative when they’re bored, take responsibility for their laundry, or initiate a playdate. Not only will they welcome the freedom, it also takes a little pressure off you.

Did you find any of the tips helpful? If so, share with a friend who may also feel overwhelmed by her August calendar!

August is an exciting time of fresh starts, settling into familiar rhythms, and finding new ways to navigate. When you find yourself feeling squeezed, remember this is just a season. But you don’t have to hold your breath all month or stretch yourself to snapping point. Similarly, you don’t have to disengage from community, shelf your dream to get to know your neighbors, or let your faith fizzle out.

Embedded into the everyday moments are opportunities for your burgeoning faith to ripple into your neighborhood. These time-saving tips will give you breathing room to keep leaning in.

The truth is, you don’t need to superhuman your way through August. Instead, show up imperfect. Let the real-life ways you’re learning to trust and follow Jesus seep into your neighborhood interactions. 

Admit where you’re struggling–especially when God gets the glory.

Grow fluent in apology–even when there’s an audience.

Praise God out loud for the little joys that fill August. 

You may not even realize it, but you’re pointing the people around you to the God who carries you through the busiest months.

And when you feel especially overwhelmed, pray this short prayer:

Lord, I trust You, minute-by-minute, because You are with me every single moment.

Just a friend over here in your corner,

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