Sun, Schedules, and Sanity: Summer Self-Care Strategies for the Working Woman Who’s Doing It All
Let’s be honest—summer isn’t always the breezy, sun-kissed fantasy Instagram would have us believe. For working women, especially mothers, it can feel more like a three-month-long juggling act featuring a cast of feral children, client deadlines, sunscreen battles, and melting popsicles (mostly on your couch).
If you're reading this, there's a good chance you’re trying to do the impossible: maintain your professional responsibilities and be present for your children during their break from school. You’re planning playdates between meetings, answering emails during swim lessons, and trying to remember if you put deodorant on this morning. (Did you? Don’t worry. We won’t tell.)
In all of this, where do you fit in?
If your self-care this summer has dwindled down to a single cold cup of coffee and five minutes of silence in your parked car, it’s time to recalibrate. Below are some self-care strategies tailored for you—the ambitious, compassionate, and slightly-overcaffeinated woman doing her best to balance it all.
1. Redefine Self-Care (Spoiler: It’s Not Always a Bubble Bath)
Let’s clarify something right away: self-care isn’t a luxury. It’s not just spa days or a yoga retreat in Sedona (though if you can swing that, do it and take us with you). Real self-care is whatever replenishes your energy and reconnects you to yourself.
That might mean:
Setting boundaries on work emails after 6 PM
Saying “no” to the third birthday party this weekend
Asking your partner, babysitter, or co-parent to take over for an afternoon
Choosing a quiet night in over one more social obligation
Give yourself permission to do less, so you can actually enjoy more.
2. Schedule Yourself Into the Calendar
You wouldn’t skip a meeting with your boss or a parent-teacher conference, right? So why does your own time keep getting bumped?
Block off time for yourself the same way you would a Zoom call. Maybe it’s 20 minutes to read a book with no pictures. A midday walk. A solo Target run (we know that counts as therapy). Whatever the activity, put it on the calendar and protect it like it’s sacred—because it is.
3. Trade Perfection for Presence
Your kids do not need a Pinterest-perfect summer. They need a version of you that isn’t completely fried. So let go of the pressure to be the magical summer cruise director and opt for being present.
Yes, they'll remember the beach trip. But they’ll also remember the backyard sprinkler, the popsicles on the porch, and you actually laughing at their knock-knock jokes instead of stress-scrolling your inbox.
Presence over perfection, every time.
4. Embrace the Power of the Micro-Moment
Waiting for a full day off or a child-free weekend to relax? You might be waiting until Labor Day.
Instead, practice micro-self-care—tiny rituals that take 2 to 10 minutes but offer real relief:
Deep breaths while the kids argue over popsicle flavors
Five-minute stretch before bed
Listening to your favorite song while folding laundry
A mid-morning iced latte that feels like a tiny victory parade
These moments are small, but their impact adds up.
5. Delegate Like a CEO
You are not the default everything-doer. Start outsourcing what you can:
Ask your partner or kids to take on more responsibility
Hire a high schooler to help entertain the little ones a few afternoons a week
Use grocery delivery, house cleaning apps, or anything that buys you back time
You don’t have to earn your rest by doing it all. You’re already doing enough.
6. Connect With Other Women Who Get It
There’s something incredibly validating about talking to other women navigating the same chaos. Venting, laughing, sharing survival tips—it all helps you feel less alone.
If you don’t have this circle yet, build it. Text a colleague-turned-friend. Join a local mom group or working women’s support network. Or, if you’re feeling emotionally stretched thin, consider connecting with a therapist who can help you untangle the mental knots of trying to be everything to everyone.
(Spoiler: You don’t have to be.)
7. Ask Yourself: What Would I Tell My Best Friend?
If your best friend came to you saying she’s overwhelmed, exhausted, and stretched too thin, what would you say? Probably something gentle, supportive, maybe even a bit fierce in its compassion.
Now say those things to yourself. Write them down. Stick them on your fridge. You deserve the same tenderness you offer others.
You Deserve to Enjoy Your Summer, Too
This season isn’t just for your kids to make memories—it’s for you too. You’re allowed to feel joy, rest, and freedom. And if you’re not sure where to begin? That’s okay. The first step is simply deciding you’re worth the care you so easily give to everyone else.
At Revive, we specialize in helping women like you navigate the complex terrain of modern life—especially when it feels like you’re juggling too many balls and dropping yourself in the process. Whether you’re struggling with burnout, identity, anxiety, or just the weight of doing it all, we’re here to help.
Contact Us Today
Ready to reclaim your time, your calm, and your joy this summer? We’d love to support you.
📞 Call us at: 312.809.8702
📧 Email us at: info@revivelincolnpark.com
🌐 Learn more at: https://revivelincolnpark.com
Let this summer be the season you start showing up for yourself.