Seasonal review: Summer 2025

Two years ago, a friend and I decided to be each other’s accountability buddies. He had read an article on Medium that had stayed with him for years. He’d mulled it over, considered if he could do it, how he could do it, who he could do it with… but hadn’t quite been ready to start.

At that time, I was out of work and up for distraction. I thought it was probably the worst time for me to embark on any kind of life admin or personal development, because I felt like I was living in an anomalous time. Like this wasn’t my reallife, and this sort of exercise would be better once my real life had resumed.

It turned out to be the best thing I could have possibly done, and I continue the practise to this day.

The article

In 2013, Nick Crocker wrote a piece he published on Medium which went on to change the course of my life:

The Elephants: A System for Better Living

In short, he formed a small group of people chosen for their outlook and discipline (as opposed to simply their proximity to him) and they each created personal goals per quarter. Weekly, they would meet or arrange to speak to check in on one another’s progress.

My system

After the initial inspiration and trying out different things over different quarters, I have settled into a good rhythm that works for me.

My friend and I no longer formally continue the practise, but I have found the charting of progress to be so rewarding and impactful I have kept going at it alone.

Summer quarter intentions

At the start of the quarter, I considered my priorities for the season, as well as monthly aims.

I have detailed breakdowns across the following themes: friends & family, relationship, physical health, mental health, my home, hobbies & interests, career, education, finances – which are too personal to share in detail.

But overall, my intentions were to prioritise:

My mental health whilst in between jobs
Connection with loved ones and spending quality time together
Creative projects like writing and crochet

Reflections

I am proud of myself for staying buoyant. I have had a turbulent few years professionally and the industry I work in remains unstable. I was better prepared to weather the gap both financially and spiritually, and the quarter ended with positivity when I secured an exciting career opportunity.

I have been learning what I need (through exploring and writing pieces like A month of pleasing myself), I have been learning how to recognise how I am feeling, and I have been learning how to self-regulate.

This quarter, I reached significant goals:

Hitting 100 Substack subscribers
Posting weekly – every Sunday at 12pm (minus a couple!)
I was accepted to become a volunteer on a crisis line, with training starting in Autumn
I completed my Level 3 in Counselling Studies – 2 years of study overall
I landed a dream job at a company I’ve admired, with colleagues I feel safe and inspired with
I decorated my garden room, transforming it into a new space that somehow extends the whole house
I have started my first crochet project – a blanket for my baby nephew – and it’s looking fantastic

Looking ahead

As I look ahead to the Autumn quarter, the most important thing to remind myself of is not to take too much on. Keep it simple, one goal at a time. There are only so many hours in the day.

I am now in full-time employment, and during this quarter is when the production period will be at its most intense. Now is not the time to decide to learn French or take more on. It’s about doubling down on the things that are important and continuing to prioritise the things that make me who I am, outside of work.

My priorities for Autumn are:

Physical health:
- Sleep. No phone or laptop in the bedroom.
- Food. Meal planning, up the protein, take vitamins.
- Exercise. Find a rhythm, I might need help here.
Creative projects:
- Living Intentionally. Writing continues to help me explore and make sense of ideas and strategies, and I have so many thoughts I’d like to expand on.
- Crochet. I’d love to complete the blanket by the end of the quarter, ready to take on Winter knits next season.
Crisis line:
- Training starts this quarter, and I must make sure I adjust my expectations around this additional commitment.

I have learnt to keep my goals specific and realistic. This way I am working towards something that is actually achievable, cultivating a feeling of reward and satisfaction.

I’d love to hear, what are your goals for Autumn?

Living Intentionally is a warm and irreverent guide to modern mindfulness.

I write about happiness, simple pleasures and finding joy in the everyday… without taking it all too seriously 🌿