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.
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
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.
- 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.
- 30 Simple Ways to Savour Late SummerSlow down and make the most of the final weeks of the season with these 30 simple ways to savour late summer. Includes a beautiful FREE printable checklist and companion reflection page.
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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