How I’m Resetting After Summer Without Burning Out


Hi Reader!

This summer was full of travel, family time, and a welcome break from routine. But now that September’s here, we’re back in the race. Work deadlines are waiting, the inbox is full, and school prep feels like a project of its own.

The first thing that shows up for me is overwhelm—and a little bit of panic. That familiar wave of, “How am I going to get all this done?” It’s tempting to jump straight into frantic mode, but I’ve finally learned that it doesn’t actually help.

What does help is slowing down long enough to write everything down.

Not just the big work projects, but the everyday things too—school forms, supply runs, even small tasks like scheduling a dentist appointment. Once it’s out of my head and onto paper, it’s no longer chaos. It’s just a list I can work through.

My Reset Tool

Over the summer, I updated my 15 / 30 Planner, which has been my go-to way of finding steady ground.

15 minutes each week:

A quick reflection on wins, challenges, and what matters most in the days ahead.

15 minutes each month:

A short check-in to monitor not just goals, but also well-being.

30 minutes each quarter:

A reset to step back, recalibrate, and make sure I’m still on track.

Yearly visioning:

A bigger-picture look at where I’m heading, so the smaller tasks feel connected to something meaningful.

Because it’s undated, I can put it down during busy seasons or travel, and then pick it right back up without guilt.

A Side Note

Most of the time, I only write down my top 1–3 priorities for the week or month. That helps me stay focused and uncluttered.

But during busy transitions—like right now—I use it differently. I dump everything on paper first, clear my head, and then define the priorities. That shift from overwhelm to clarity is the real value.


September always feels like a reset. New routines, new rhythms, and a new season. Having a trusted system makes that transition smoother. For me, it’s not about doing more—it’s about moving forward with clarity instead of chaos.

Cheers

Daria

P.S. If you’re looking for a simple way to ground yourself this season, take a look at the 15 / 30 Planner. It’s the strategy I’ve leaned on for years.

Check out more of our work at...

Linkedin

Learn more →

Youtube

Learn more →

Community

Learn more →

If you want to get in touch, hit REPLY.

I'm happy to help!

113 Cherry St #92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2205
Unsubscribe · Preferences

Meaning Makers

A no-nonsense newsletter for busy leaders who are done with overwork and ready to scale smarter. Join 11,000+ receiving actionable tips via email and social on leadership, team-building, and how to actually use AI and hybrid intelligence to make work easier. Earn more. Go home earlier. Lead with purpose—without burning out.

Read more from Meaning Makers

Hi Reader, Daria’s here. Seven months ago, I took a burnout test. The results weren’t shocking — but they were still sobering. I’m a working mom, building a business in a new country, in between wars. The kind where you sometimes drop everything and run to a bomb shelter. Not exactly the “optimized productivity environment” you see on Instagram. I wasn’t prepared for any of this. So I had to build systems that could handle it. Not to thrive or optimize or level up — just to stay grounded and...

Hi Reader! In today’s business landscape, volatility is the new normal. Markets shift overnight. AI disrupts industries weekly. Customer expectations evolve faster than most teams can respond. And yet—some companies don’t just survive. They thrive. They adapt faster. Execute better. Drive innovation while everyone else is still catching up. So what’s their secret? According to McKinsey, the most successful organizations aren’t just investing in leadership coaching or new tech. They’re...

Hi Reader! In June of 2023, a small experimental submersible called the Titan descended into the Atlantic, bound for the Titanic wreck nearly 13,000 feet below the surface. It was part of a high-profile expedition led by OceanGate — a company that positioned itself as a pioneer in deep-sea exploration. The sub imploded during the dive. All five people on board were killed instantly. In the weeks that followed, the tragedy sparked headlines, speculation, and debate. But now, two years later,...