From Summer Drift to Strategic Lift: Turning Downtime into Direction

August has a different rhythm. Calendars soften. Work slows, just a little. For many, it’s the only time of year when space appears. You might be away on holiday, working lighter hours, or simply finding time to breathe between the usual demands. But something happens in that pause.

Thoughts get louder.

It’s often when we’re away from routine that the truth begins to surface. You start to notice what’s working. What’s not. You remember what you care about. And you realise how much you’ve been pushing down.

But here’s the challenge: that clarity fades fast.

As soon as the inbox fills back up or the kids return to school, the same patterns resurface. It’s easy to forget what felt so obvious while walking the beach or sitting in a quiet garden.

Sometimes, it’s not a big move we need, but a subtle pause. Time away from our usual environment can reveal thoughts we didn’t know were running in the background. And the science backs this up. A study published in Psychological Science found that even a short break - just 4 minutes - significantly improved participants’ ability to solve complex problems. It’s called the incubation effect: when we stop consciously thinking about something, our minds continue working quietly in the background. And often, that’s when the insight arrives.

So if August is giving you a bit more space, use it. Notice what’s rising to the surface. Pay attention to the thoughts that keep coming back. Jot them down, no matter how vague or big or personal they seem.

Then ask: if I actually listened to this, what would I do next?

Coaching helps you hold up those stories to the light. It helps you take the ideas floating around on holiday and turn them into intentional next steps.

So if something is stirring in you this August - something you’re not ready to ignore - don’t wait for September to bury it again.

Let’s talk. Your first 30-minute coaching session is free, and there’s no pressure. Just a safe space to explore what’s next.

Transform. Thrive. Together. 👉 youandmecoach.com