🧊 Are you finding it harder to focus in the summer?

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There’s something about mid-summer that melts your motivation a little.

The sun’s blazing, your routine’s out the window, and suddenly everything feels… harder than usual. You sit down to do something (anything) and your brain’s like, “nope.” It’s like trying to think through syrup.

That slow, sticky fog isn’t laziness. It’s your body syncing up with the slower rhythm of summer. Long days, heat waves, maybe some burnout you haven’t had space to process…it all adds up.

Let’s talk about how to work with the fog instead of fighting it.

🌤 Why seasonal slumps happen

Even if you’re not in school anymore, summer still has that weird in-between energy. Everyone’s traveling, deadlines feel a little looser, and it’s harder to stay focused when the world around you feels like it’s on vacation mode.

Our bodies crave rest in extreme heat. And when you’ve been go go go all year, this pause can feel disorienting. But there’s nothing wrong with you for not feeling 100% locked in right now. Slowness isn’t failure, it’s feedback. These slow summer months offer opportunities to address that lingering burnout from the rest of the year.

🪴 Summer isn’t a productivity wasteland (Even If It Feels Like It)

It’s easy to feel guilty when summer throws off your momentum. You might catch yourself thinking, “Everyone else seems to be thriving… why can’t I just focus?” But what if summer isn’t the season to sprint? Let yourself lay on the couch for a little longer, and give yourself time to recharge with a good movie. The heat isn’t going anywhere 🌞

This time of year is actually ideal for planting seeds, not forcing blooms. You can brainstorm, reconnect with what inspires you, or experiment without pressure. That slower pace? It’s giving your nervous system space to recalibrate and that’s just as valuable as “crushing” your to-do list. Despite what everyone likes to say, you seriously can’t run on empty.

So instead of judging the fog, try asking: What kind of growth happens when I stop pressuring myself to do better than everyone else on my feed?

🧠 3 Ways to reboot your mental energy (Without Forcing It)

1.  🧠 Bounce gently, don’t force It
   If you’ve been staring at the same task for 45 minutes and your brain is buffering—take the hint. Shift to something low-lift that still gives you a sense of movement. Clear your downloads folder, voice note an idea, or water your plants. Think of it like moving the energy, not abandoning the day.

   💧 Cool down Your nervous system
   Mid-summer focus crashes are real. Try this: step away, splash cold water on your face, sip an iced drink, or lie on the floor for two minutes (yes, really). Pair it with a calming playlist or ambient sound on LifeAt to cue your brain that it’s okay to reset.

   🫧 Shrink the task, keep the motion
   If everything feels too big, make it smaller. Instead of “finish this whole project,” try “outline 3 bullet points.” Instead of “get inbox to zero,” try “reply to just one person I’ve been avoiding.” The win is in the showing up—not the finish line.

📓 This week’s journal prompt

When was the last time I felt mentally ‘clear’? What was different about my environment, pace, or pressure that day?

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✨ Final Thought

Let this summer be the one where you let your body rest. Let it be the one where you remember that transition takes time. This fog is part of the seasonal cycle, and honoring it can be more productive than fighting it.

Let your nervous system cool off, take smaller steps, and remember: clarity often comes after rest, not before. 💓 

🌱 rorrie