Recharging with Purpose: How to Use Summer to Reflect and Reset
- ted
- May 17
- 4 min read
The school year is finally over. No more late-night study sessions, group projects, or back-to-back classes. You’ve earned this break—but here’s a thought: What if this summer could be more than just a break? What if it could be a reset?
We often think of summer as a time to completely unplug, and while rest is crucial, there's also a hidden opportunity in this season. It's a chance to recharge not just physically, but mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually. You don’t need to be busy to be growing—you just need to be intentional.
Let’s talk about how to use your summer in a way that leaves you feeling not only rested, but more aligned with who you are and where you want to go.
The Power of Rest: Why Doing Less Helps You Grow More
Let’s start here: Rest is not laziness. In fact, it's one of the most underrated parts of growth. When you step away from constant pressure and let your mind breathe, clarity tends to follow. You begin to hear your own thoughts again.
This kind of rest isn't just about binging shows or scrolling for hours. It’s about giving yourself the space to slow down and recharge in a way that fills you—not drains you. Real rest helps you return to life with more energy, sharper focus, and a stronger sense of self.
Reflecting on the Past Year: What Did You Learn?
Now that you have some breathing room, it’s a great time to look back. Ask yourself:
What went well this year?
What challenged me the most?
What did I learn about myself?
You don’t need to write an essay. A few journal entries, a voice memo, or even a conversation with a friend can help you unpack what this past year has taught you. Reflection helps turn your experiences into wisdom.
Making Space for What Matters
Part of resetting is letting go. Declutter your space, your phone, your calendar. Say no to things that no longer feel aligned. Create quiet moments in your day to simply be—no pressure to perform or achieve.
This kind of space invites creativity, healing, and inspiration. You might be surprised what comes up when you give yourself time to just exist.
Resetting Intentions: Who Do You Want to Become Next?
Now that you've reflected and created space, it's time to look forward. Summer is the perfect in-between space—you're not where you were, but you're not quite where you're going yet. That makes it a powerful time to set new intentions.
Unlike goals (which are about outcomes), intentions are about who you want to become. Maybe you want to be more patient, more courageous, more confident. Maybe you want to be more present, more grateful, or more open to change.
Write your intention down. Put it somewhere you’ll see it. Let it guide how you move through the summer.
Introducing Life Studio: A Summer Project with Purpose
If you’re looking for a meaningful way to use your summer break—something that goes beyond just relaxing—then you’ll want to check out Life Studio, a powerful new student resource launching in less than two weeks.
Life Studio is designed to help you get clear on who you are and where you're headed. It’s a guided experience that begins with helping you define your core values—the things that matter most to you. From there, it walks you through building your personal life vision and crafting a strategy to help you live it out.
This is more than just goal setting. It’s about understanding yourself, imagining your next chapter, and creating a plan to get there with confidence.
Summer is the perfect time to work through Life Studio. With fewer distractions and more time to think deeply, you can make real progress on figuring out what you want—and how to move toward it.
Keep your eyes on the Student Resources page—Life Studio will be available soon, and it might just be the most important thing you do for yourself this summer.
Practical Tips to Reflect and Reset This Summer:
Start a “3 Good Things” journal. Every night, write down three things that went well or made you smile.
Try one screen-free day per week. Use that time to read, explore, nap, or just be still.
Take solo walks—without music or your phone. Let your thoughts wander. Pay attention to what you notice.
List your energy givers and drainers. What lifted you up this year? What pulled you down? Use this to guide what you want to keep or let go.
Create a summer intention card. On a sticky note or index card, write: “This summer, I will…” and fill in with your intention. Post it somewhere visible.
Conclusion: The Power of a Purposeful Pause
Summer doesn’t have to be packed with plans to be powerful. Sometimes, the most meaningful growth happens when we step back, breathe deep, and reconnect with ourselves.
So this summer, give yourself permission to reset. To reflect. To slow down and listen to who you’re becoming.
What would it mean for you to truly reset this summer?
What might you discover if you paused long enough to listen inward?
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