I’ve been saying the same thing over and over again lately: I just want to feel caught up in my life. Not ahead, not on top of everything… just caught up, like there isn’t something waiting the second I finish whatever’s in front of me.

I said this to my boyfriend recently, and he immediately pushed back. There’s always going to be something else, he said—another email, another plan to make, another decision waiting for you at 5 pm. (To be clear, this was not the answer I was hoping for.) The feeling of being caught up isn’t something you arrive at and it stays that way forever. It’s something you keep creating, in small ways, throughout the day—often without realizing it.

That’s what I’ve been paying attention to this spring. A handful of small habits that have changed how I move through my life. I’m showing up differently to my work, my relationships, and even the way I think about things like food and fitness. Everything feels a little more additive and less like something I have to push through.

A More Realistic Way to Feel Better By Summer

We’re in that in-between window right now—the stretch between May and the start of summer—when routines haven’t fully settled and there’s still room to change how things feel. I’m thinking of it as a kind of runway: a few weeks where these shifts have time to build. That way, by the time summer arrives, you’re not starting from scratch. You’re already in it.

The idea of a reset sounds appealing, but it implies starting over, doing things perfectly, and getting everything in place all at once. Right when your energy is already stretched.

10 Spring Habits at a Glance

What’s felt more useful to me this season is a simpler approach. Paying attention to what already makes me feel better, and doing a little more of that.

1. Build one meal a day around color. Let fresh, vibrant ingredients guide what you eat. Everything else tends to follow.
2. Upgrade what you’re already doing. Spring is all about amplifying the romanticize-your-life vibes.
3. Work out at 90%. Leave yourself a little energy so you can come back tomorrow.
4. Create a clear end to your workday. A small transition helps you actually arrive in your evening.
5. Leave one thing undone on purpose. Decide when the day is complete instead of waiting for everything to be finished.
6. Make one decision before your energy dips. Remove one choice from your evening—it’s a huge energy booster.
7. Add a side quest. Follow one small moment of curiosity, just because you can.
8. Take your evening off auto-pilot. A loose plan keeps your night from feeling like an extension of the work day.
9. Build your day around natural light. Let sunlight anchor your routine instead of treating it as extra.
10. Notice what gives you energy. Pay attention to what works and keep that on repeat.

10 Spring Habits to Feel Better by Summer

These are the habits I’ve been returning to. They’re simple, but they’ve changed more than I expected.

1. Build One Meal a Day Around Color

I didn’t set out to change the way I eat this spring. It just… happened? Somewhere between farmer’s market runs and throwing together quick lunches, I started noticing that the meals I actually looked forward to all had one thing in common: they were full of color. Bright greens, spring strawberries, fresh herbs. All the goodness of the season made it’s way to my plate.

That shift alone has made food feel easier. When you start with color, the rest tends to fall into place. You build meals that are more satisfying, more energizing, and a lot less rigid.

Try this: Once a day, start with what looks fresh and vibrant, then add something creamy and something crunchy to round it out.

Some colorful meals to get you inspired:

• Burrata Toast with Blood Orange, Pistachios & Honey
• Cedar Plank Halibut with Salsa Verde
• Cucumber and Crispy Rice Salad
• Sweet Potato Breakfast Bowl with Kale & Jammy Eggs
• Strawberries and Cream Pavlova

2. Upgrade What You’re Already Doing

I’ve stopped waiting for something new to make my days feel better. Most of the shift has come from paying a little more attention to what’s already there and treating it like it matters.

The same coffee, but in a beautiful mug (taken outside instead of standing at the counter). Romantizing my lunch break. An evening walk that isn’t just about steps, but about noticing the light, the air, and the fact that I’m there.

This habit is all about you move through what’s already part of your life. That small shift has made everything feel a little more intentional and a lot more enjoyable.

Try this: Pick one everyday habit and make it feel like something you chose: better ingredients, a different setting, or one small detail that makes you want to be in it.

3. Do Your Workouts at 90% (And Notice What Changes)

For a long time, I thought a good workout had to leave me completely spent. 30 minutes minimum, high intensity, no shortcuts—otherwise it didn’t count. That mindset kept me stuck in a cycle where I’d go all in for a few days, burn out, and then fall off entirely.

What shifted for me was realizing that consistency has a lot less to do with intensity than I thought. Research around “exercise snacks”—short, more frequent bursts of movement throughout the day—shows that even small amounts of activity can have a meaningful impact on your energy and overall well-being.

Pulling back just slightly in my workouts and letting shorter sessions count has made it easier to create a routine. I feel better afterward, not depleted, and that alone has changed how consistently I show up.

Try this: Let your next workout be less intense than you think it should be—or break it into smaller moments throughout the day. Then notice how you feel later, not just when it ends.

4. Create a Transition Ritual Out of Your Workday

I didn’t realize how much my evenings were being shaped by my workday until I started paying attention to how I ended it. Without a clear break, everything just blurred together (flashback to how I spent every weekday during the pandemic, yikes). I’d technically be done, but still carrying the loose ends into the rest of my night.

Instead, I’ve been building in a small transition. A moment that signals to my body that I’m shifting out of one mode and into another. This isn’t a productivity hack. It’s all about giving yourself a chance to actually start your evening feeling restored.

Try this: Choose one consistent action that marks the end of your workday—stepping outside, putting on a different playlist, making a fun beverage—and let that be the signal that you’re done.

5. Practice Leaving One Thing Intentionally Undone

It’s taken me forever to accept this: there will always be something left on the list. That part doesn’t change, no matter how early you start or how efficient you are. What I’ve started experimenting with is deciding where the line is—choosing when the day is complete, instead of waiting for everything to be finished.

Trust me, it cchanges the feeling of your mornings, evenings, and really your life. Instead of carrying that low-level sense of “I should still be doing something,” you give yourself permission to stop. Over time, that starts to feel less like a compromise and more like a choice.

Try this: At the end of the day, choose one thing that can be saved for tomorrow or next week. This isn’t procrastination—it’s prioritization.

6. Stop Making Decisions at Your Lowest Energy Point

By the time late afternoon rolls around, even small decisions can feel heavier than they should. What to make for dinner, whether to work out, how to spend the evening—it all starts to blur together in a way that makes everything feel more draining than it actually is.

I’ve started noticing how much easier my days feel when I make one or two of those decisions earlier, before my energy dips. No full plan, just removing that one moment where everything suddenly feels like too much.

Try this: Decide one thing ahead of time—dinner, your workout, or your evening plan—so you’re not figuring it out when you’re already tired.

7. Add One Side Quest to Your Day

Not everything in your day needs to be efficient to be worthwhile. (Read that back.) I’ve been leaving space for one small, unplanned detour—a side quest, in the loosest sense of the word. Something I didn’t need to do, but wanted to.

We’re not going for drama here. A different route on a walk, stopping for something that caught my eye, lingering a little longer somewhere instead of rushing through. You’ll be shocked: it completely changes how your day feels.

Try this: Leave room for one small, unnecessary decision today—something guided by curiosity instead of efficiency. Follow it without overthinking.

8. Give Your Evening a Plan

Evenings can feel the most chaotic because they’re often the most undefined part of your day. By the time you get there, your energy is low, your patience is thinner, and everything—from dinner to what to do afterward—feels like one more thing to figure out.

What’s helped is giving the evening a loose shape ahead of time. Not a rigid plan, just a general direction so you’re not starting from zero when you’re already tired.

Try this: Earlier in the day, decide what kind of night you’re having—something simple like “easy dinner and a walk” or “catch up and early to bed.”

9. Build Your Day Around Natural Light

This has been one of the simplest shifts with the biggest impact. Instead of treating time outside as something extra, I’ve started building parts of my day around it—moving small, everyday moments into the light whenever I can.

A few minutes in the sun in the morning, a walk before dinner, even taking a call outside… It all adds up! You feel more awake, more present, and more connected to your routine in a way that’s hard to replicate indoors. (You’ll sleep better, too.)

Try this: Take one thing you already do—coffee, a call, a break—and move it into natural light. Let that be the anchor your day builds around.

10. Pay Attention to Your Energy-Givers

This has been a complete game-changer in removing the “should’s” from my day. I’ve started paying closer attention to what actually makes me feel better. More clear, more energized, and more like myself. Some of it is obvious, some of it is surprising. But once you notice it, it becomes easier to come back to. You stop guessing what you need, and start recognizing it in real time.

Try this: At the end of the day, take a minute to notice what gave you energy. Look for one way to repeat it tomorrow.

Change Your Habits, Change Your Summer

The funny thing is, I still don’t feel “caught up” in my life. At least, not in the way I thought I would. There are still emails (there will ALWAYS be emails), still decisions, and still things waiting for me at the end of the day. But I do feel a little more present, a little more energized, and a little more like I’m actually in my life instead of trying to keep up with it.

That’s what these habits have given me. Not a full reset, not a perfect routine—just a series of small shifts that build on each other over time. And that’s the real opportunity this season. You don’t need to change everything before summer gets here. You just need to start paying attention to what makes you feel better and let that lead the way.

The post If You Want to Feel Better by Summer, Start With These 10 Things appeared first on Camille Styles.

So many of my favorite quotes hinge on the energizing, transformative beauty of spring. But Rilke’s words might be my favorite: “It is spring again. The earth is like a child that knows poems by heart.”

I always come back to poetry in moments of wanting—when I’m searching for language that can hold what I’m feeling. And in May, that feeling is unmistakable. The season has fully arrived: longer days, vibrant blooms, and warmer air that draws you out and keeps you there. There’s an alchemy to this time of year. Something shifts. I’m the same person, but I feel newly awake to my life, to my routines, and to all the small things that suddenly feel worth noticing again.

31 Things to Do in May to Welcome the Warmer Season

May, more than any other month, invites us to begin again. And with it comes the perfect opportunity to fill our days with things that feel as good as they are simple. Think of this as your invitation: 31 ways to lean into the season, romanticize your days, and make May feel truly yours.

Step Outside (and Stay Awhile)

May changes how you spend your time. The light lingers, the air softens, and suddenly your evenings stretch a little longer than planned. Even the smallest plans—a walk, a farmer’s market run, a last-minute picnic—start to feel like something more.

1. Plan a backyard garden party. String up lights, set a simple table, and let fresh blooms do the decorating. Start with a few easy outdoor dinner party menu ideas to set the tone.

2. Take a sunrise or sunset hike. Choose one golden hour this week and follow it.

3. Host an outdoor movie night. Blankets, snacks, and a projector are all you need.

4. Organize a neighborhood picnic. Keep it potluck-style and low effort—it’s the easiest way to build community.

5. Try a new water activity. Paddleboard, kayak, or just float (maybe my favorite?). May is your moment to jump in.

6. Play tennis! As a collegiate player, I’ll argue: it’s the best of the racquet sports. (Ping pong is a close second.)

7. Go on a wildflower walk. Bring a basket or a guidebook and make an afternoon of it.

8. Visit your local farmer’s market. Let what you find—strawberries, asparagus, herbs—shape your week’s menu. Make a note of the in-season produce and keep your sights set on filling your basket with exactly that.

Gather, Cook, Celebrate

This time of year lends itself to gathering. Meals move outside, ingredients feel fresher, and hosting becomes something you ease into rather than plan to perfection. A few thoughtful details go a long way.

9. Host a Mother’s Day brunch at home. Keep it simple, seasonal, and a little celebratory.

10. Try a new non-alcoholic drink. Start with NA recipes that feel just as festive as your favorite cocktail.

11. Set a signature Memorial Day table. Keep it relaxed but intentional—linen napkins, something seasonal in a vase, and a menu that feels easy to share. Get all the table-setting inspo you need.

12. Make a spring salad worth craving. Think crisp greens, herbs, something creamy, something crunchy. These are the kinds of salads you’ll come back to all season.

13. Pack a picnic and head to the park. Assign dishes, bring a blanket, and keep it casual.

14. Plan a Friday night al fresco dinner. A few friends, a simple table, and made-for-golden-hour recipes that don’t overcomplicate things.

15. Create a summer dessert board. Fresh fruit and bite-sized sweets are all you need.

16. Host a cookbook dinner club. Pick a book (these are Camille’s favorite cookbooks), assign recipes, and let the inspiration flow.

Refresh Your Space & Style

There’s a natural urge this time of year to shift your surroundings. Windows open, drawers get cleared, and small updates start to change how your home feels day to day. Even a single project can reset the tone.

17. Try a one-week home reset. Focus on one small area each day and let the progress build.

18. Make spring cleaning feel lighter. Set a timer, play music, and keep it moving. Decluttering these six areas of your home makes the task way less intimidating (and so much more joyful).

19. Start a windowsill garden. These are the easiest herbs to grow at home.

20. Build your warm-weather capsule wardrobe. Focus on pieces that feel easy, repeatable, and entirely you. Our style editor shares tips for curating your dream spring closet.

21. Create an outdoor nook. A chair, a throw, and a quiet corner can become your favorite place to just… be.

Focus on Feeling Better

May brings a softer sort of reset. Your energy returns, and it feels like there’s more room to check in with what you actually need. Small shifts tend to stick the most.

22. Spring clean your mind. Clear the mental clutter. This 7-day mental reset can create more clarity, focus, and ease in your day.

23. Start walking outside without your phone. Trust me on this: it’ll quickly become a habit you look forward to.

24. Book a massage or spa treatment—no occasion needed.

25. Refresh your skincare routine for the season. Think lighter layers, more hydration, and daily SPF. Here’s how to get the ultimate glow-up.

26. Begin a morning walk ritual. We all swear by it.

Add a Little Joy

Some things this month are worth doing simply because they sound fun. A new show, a spontaneous plan, a change of scenery… These are small choices that shift your mood in ways you don’t overthink.

27. Start a new show and let yourself fully unwind into it. I’m loving season 2 of Your Friends and Neighbors. If you’re not into watching hours of Jon Hamm and James Marsden—I’m sorry, I can’t relate.

28. Visit a local gallery, pop-up, or art show. I’ve found that one of the simplest joys in life is to put yourself in the path of novelty. You never know what you might uncover or connect with.

29. Plan a Memorial Day weekend getaway. It doesn’t have to be far to feel like a reset.

30. Build your summer playlist. Something you’ll want to play on repeat all season long.

31. Make your summer bucket list. Write it down, return to it often, and see what unfolds. (Hint: revisit your vision board for an idea of what you want more of this season.)

This post was last updated on May 1, 2026, to include new insights.

The post Your May Bucket List: 31 Things to Do for a Fresh Start This Spring appeared first on Camille Styles.