20 Small Things Your Future Self Will Thank You for Doing This August
Gentle ways to make the transition into autumn a little easier.
There is something I love about this time of year.
August still feels wonderfully like summer. The days are warm, gardens are generous and there is still plenty of time to enjoy everything this season has to offer. At the same time, there’s a quiet awareness that another chapter is slowly approaching.
September always arrives.
The routines return. The pace changes. Diaries begin to fill again and life gently shifts into a different rhythm.
For years, I thought preparing for that meant making long to-do lists and trying to organise absolutely everything before summer ended. It usually left me feeling more overwhelmed than prepared.
These days, I take a different approach.
Rather than trying to do everything, I simply look for a few small things that will make life feel a little easier a few weeks from now.
None of them take very long.
None of them are urgent.
But together, they create a home—and a mind—that feels calmer when September arrives.
Think of them as little gifts from your August self to your September self.
20 Small Things Your Future Self Will Thank You for Doing This August
Home
- Declutter one drawer you’ve been avoiding.
- Wash the throws and blankets before you’ll need them again.
- Give your entranceway a quick refresh.
- Sort one shelf in the pantry.
- Empty the “I’ll deal with it later” pile.
Family
- Check school bags and lunch boxes before the last minute.
- Save a few favourite summer photographs.
- Plan one relaxed family day before routines return.
- Restock everyday essentials.
- Have an unhurried conversation with your children about the weeks ahead.
You
- Book that appointment you’ve been putting off.
- Finish the book you’ve been slowly reading.
- Spend one evening completely offline.
- Write down what made this summer feel special.
- Decide how you want September to feel—not just what you want to achieve.
Looking Ahead
- Freeze a few easy meals.
- Tidy your handbag or everyday backpack.
- Write a simple September wish list.
- Choose one habit you’d love to carry into autumn.
- Leave one completely free day before the month ends.
Free Printable
I’ve created a simple Future Me Checklist to accompany this guide.
It’s a gentle reminder that preparing for a new season doesn’t have to mean doing everything at once. Sometimes the smallest tasks make the biggest difference.
🌿 Continue Enjoying Late Summer
If you’re enjoying the gentle shift from high summer into the slower days of August, you might also like these seasonal reads and free printables. Together they create a little collection to help you savour the final weeks of summer.
Looking for even more free seasonal inspiration? Browse the full Summer Printables Collection to discover journals, planners, checklists and gentle resources to help you enjoy the season at a slower pace.
A Gentle Closing Thought
One of the loveliest things I’ve learned over the years is that caring for our future selves doesn’t usually require grand gestures.
More often than not, it’s found in the small decisions we make today.
Tidying one drawer.
Backing up a few precious photographs.
Leaving ourselves a little breathing room before life becomes busy again.
None of those things will change your life overnight.
But when September arrives—and it always does—I have a feeling you’ll be quietly grateful that your August self took the time to think ahead with kindness rather than urgency.
And perhaps that’s what seasonal living is really about.
Not constantly preparing for what’s next.
But gently caring for the person you’ll be when you get there.
Chat very soon,
Ciara x
If you enjoy slow seasonal living, I’d love to welcome you to Our Little Friday Letter—a fortnightly note filled with gentle reflections, seasonal inspiration and free printables.
☀️ Create Your Summer Companion Binder
If you’re planning to print several of our summer companions, a few simple supplies can make it easy to create your own beautiful Summer Companion Binder to enjoy all season long. It’s the perfect place to keep your planners, journals, bucket lists and seasonal inspiration together, ready whenever you need them.
This section contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Our Little House in the Country.
- 📗 A4 Display Book
- 📁 A4 Ring Binder
- 📄 Plastic Document Wallets
- 📎 Adjustable Hole Punch
- 🖊️ Fine-liner Pens
- 📑 Divider Tabs
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these summer printables really free?
Yes! Every printable featured in our Summer Printables Library is completely free to download for personal use. Simply choose your favourite companion, download the PDF and print the pages that suit your summer plans.
What summer printables are included in the collection?
Our growing Summer Printables Library includes beautifully illustrated companions and seasonal resources designed to help you make the most of summer. You’ll find planners, journals, bucket lists, family activity pages, slow living printables, homemaking resources and more, with new collections added throughout the season.
What size are the summer printables?
All of our summer printables are designed in A4 format for easy home printing. If you’re printing in the United States or Canada, most printers can automatically scale the pages to fit US Letter paper.
Can I print individual pages instead of the whole companion?
Absolutely. You can print the complete companion or simply choose the individual pages that are most useful for you and your family.
How can I use these summer printables?
Many readers create their own Summer Companion Binder, while others keep favourite pages on the fridge, family noticeboard or inside a planner. They’re designed to help you enjoy a slower, simpler and more intentional summer.
Will more summer printables be added?
Yes! Our Summer Printables Library continues to grow throughout the season, with new companions, journals, planners and seasonal resources added regularly. Join Our Little Friday Letter to be the first to hear about new releases.
Can I share these summer printables?
You’re very welcome to share a link to our Summer Printables Library with friends and family. However, please don’t upload or redistribute the PDF files themselves. Sharing the original page helps support Our Little House in the Country and allows us to continue creating free seasonal printables.
Do I need a special printer?
No. These printables are designed to work with most home printers. For the best results, print at 100% size on good-quality paper or lightweight cardstock if you’d like a more durable finish.
Continue Savouring Late Summer
If you’re enjoying these gentle August days, you might also like to explore more of our late summer collection. From simple seasonal rituals and homemaking inspiration to thoughtful reflections and free printables, these posts are designed to help you savour the final weeks of summer before autumn quietly arrives.
How to Create a Slow August Rhythm
30 Simple Ways to Savour Late Summer
20 Small Things Your Future Self Will Thank You for Doing This August
25 Simple Things to Do Before Summer Ends
You can also browse our growing collection of free seasonal printables to help you enjoy the slower rhythms of August and prepare gently for the season ahead.
Browse the Free Printables Library
Before You Go…
Looking for a little extra inspiration?
Browse our growing collection of free printables, including seasonal calendars, bucket lists, planners, journals and reflection pages designed to help you create a slower, more intentional life.
- Let August Be EnoughAugust has a quiet way of slipping past almost unnoticed. This gentle reflection explores how we can stop rushing towards the next season, savour ordinary summer moments and discover the beauty of simply letting August be enough.
- 25 Simple Things to Do Before Summer EndsSummer isn’t over just yet. Discover 25 simple ways to savour the final weeks of the season, embrace the slower pace of August and enjoy the quiet beauty of late summer. Includes a free printable Late Summer Checklist.
- 20 Small Things Your Future Self Will Thank You for Doing This AugustA gentle guide to 20 small things you can do this August to make the transition into September calmer, simpler and more intentional. Includes a free printable.
- How to Create a Slow August RhythmDiscover how to create a slow August rhythm with simple seasonal habits that help you savour the final weeks of summer. Includes a beautiful free printable planner.
- A Gentle Late Summer Home ResetRefresh your home with this gentle late summer reset. Discover simple homemaking ideas to create a calm, welcoming space for the remainder of the season, plus download a beautiful FREE printable planner.
Our Little House in the Country
Hi, I’m Ciara — writer, homemaker, and the heart behind Our Little House in the Country. I share slow, seasonal living from our cozy corner of the Irish countryside, where life is a little messy, a little magical, and deeply real. Whether it’s a teen-friendly recipe, a lived-in home moment, or a reminder to let go of perfection, this space is about embracing the everyday and finding joy in what’s already here. Come in, kick off your shoes, and stay a while — the kettle’s always on.
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