Don’t Break Your Routine During Summer Break

Written by:

Hahyeon(Summer) Kim

The moment finals end and summer break begins, it’s tempting to toss your planner aside and fall headfirst into “do-nothing” mode. And honestly? That rest is well-deserved. But here’s the thing when summer stretches into three unstructured months, it’s easy to lose your rhythm without realizing it.

You wake up later, eat at odd hours, scroll endlessly, and suddenly, the things that used to ground you—morning routines, regular meals, even socializing feel strangely far away. It’s not just laziness. It’s your brain quietly reacting to the loss of structure.

So here are a few gentle ways I’ve learned to stay grounded during break without giving up the freedom that makes summer so special.

1. Set a “Soft” Routine

No alarms at 6am, promise. But creating a loose rhythm to your day makes a big difference. I try to keep three things steady: when I wake up, when I eat, and one intentional activity. That could be a walk, journaling, or even watching a movie I’ve been meaning to see. This kind of structure isn’t about discipline, it’s about stability. Your mind thrives on gentle patterns, especially when the days start to blur together.

2. Move (Even Just a Little)

You don’t need a gym membership or a perfect yoga flow. Just move. A slow walk after breakfast. Ten minutes before bed. Dancing around while folding laundry.
Moving your body resets your mood, helps with sleep, and breaks the mental fog that sometimes lingers during long vacations. Plus, it reminds you: hey, I’m alive and this body’s pretty cool.

3. Keep a Low-Stakes Journal

     Your summer doesn’t have to be “productive” to be worth remembering. Write a few lines each day about how you’re feeling, what you’re doing, or what you’ve noticed. It can be messy, short, or totally random.
Some days I write about my lunch. Other days, it’s just a sentence like “I feel off, but the sky looked nice.” That’s enough. It’s a way to stay connected to yourself, even when the days feel slow.

4. Take Small Breaks from Screens

No guilt here, we all binge. But endless scrolling can sneakily drain you. I’ve started setting a timer for just one screen-free hour a day. During that time, I might take a nap, draw a doodle, or just lie on the floor and do absolutely nothing.
It’s awkward at first, but kind of peaceful, too. Like giving your brain a nap it didn’t know it needed.

5. Check In With Yourself

Sometimes I ask myself, “How do I feel right now?” and it surprises me how long I haven’t checked. Self-care isn’t always candles and tea (though those help). It’s also asking: Do I need a hug? A change of scenery? A snack? A moment alone?
Even just asking the question can help you reconnect with what you need, not what your feed tells you to want.

Summer doesn’t have to be a productivity race, but it also doesn’t have to be a void. Find your own balance between rest and rhythm. Listen to yourself. Your mind deserves a vacation too, but the kind that refuels, not one that leaves you feeling lost when September comes around. So go ahead, sleep in, eat well, take walks, and give yourself the kind of care that makes you feel human again. Happy summer!