Disclosure: Friends Over 50 participates in affiliate programs, meaning I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
My summer reset after 50 starts with one simple shift: less perfection, more presence. Instead of trying to do everything, I’m tuning in to what feels good and letting go of what no longer serves me. Here’s what I’m saying YES to this summer (and what I’m finally giving myself permission to release).
- More time outside, especially in the mornings
- Simple joys like biking, books, and easy meals
- Saying no to hustle and perfection
- Letting others help (even with toilet paper!)
- Creating space for rest and presence
My Summer Reset after 50: Saying Yes to Simple Summer Intentions
1. Being Outside (Every Chance I Get)
Longer days and warm weather mean more time in the garden, on a trail, or even just reading on my deck. My summer reset starts with sunshine.
2. Walking in the Morning
It’s not about fitness goals, it’s about rhythm, clarity, and peace. Morning walks are a great way to start my day. I get a tiny rush of satisfaction when my phone congratulates me for my early step count.
3. Biking to Work (Because I Can)
Biking reminds me I’m strong, capable, and alive. It’s the most joyful commute I’ve had in years.
4. A Stack of Books
My summer reading list isn’t for productivity. It’s just for me. I usually get books from the library or on my kindle. But for summer reading, I love to go to the local bookstore and pick up 3-4 newer, harder to get at the library titles. There is something about having a physical stack of good books waiting and ready to be read that motivates me to read more.
5. Simple Meal Prep
No elaborate dinners or complicated meal plans. Just fresh, easy, and done.Last summer I bought this veggie chopper on Amazon, and find it very satisfying to chop up onions and peppers into perfectly diced pieces with a firm slap of the hand. I love having everything for a salad at the ready.
6. A Summer Movie (or Two)
Even without a regular TV habit, I’ll make space for a good summer movie like Mission Impossible, on the IMAX screen.
Things I’m Not Doing This Summer, And Why That’s OK
1. A Perfectly Clean House
I’m lucky to have a cleaning team come once a month. I don’t plan to do much else in between their visits.
2. Trying to Do It All
This was the summer I realized something profound: I don’t have to be the one to restock the toilet paper. (True story: my son picked it up from Sam’s. I logged him into my account on his phone so he could pay for it using Scan and Go!
3. Hustle Energy
If it doesn’t feel aligned, it’s not on the calendar. I am seeking out activities and events like ‘music under the stars’ and ‘sunset yoga’.
Saying yes isn’t always about doing more. You can say yes to more leisure time, more time with friends, more time for the things you enjoy.
This slower summer rhythm is part of a bigger shift I’ve been leaning into. If you’re in a season of rethinking what matters, create your own reinvention roadmap after 50 to move forward with more clarity and intention.
What are you saying yes to this summer?
