Summer can feel like a whirlwind—BBQs, holidays, disrupted routines. Just when you’ve found your rhythm, the long evenings and last-minute plans pull you out of sync. It’s exciting, but it can also bring its fair share of mental tug-of-wars. You say you want to eat better, feel better… and then you find yourself standing in front of the fridge wondering what happened to that motivation.
This isn’t lack of willpower. It’s something deeper. And it has a name.
Cognitive Dissonance: The Hidden Tug-of-War
Imagine this: You’ve promised yourself a healthy day. But by mid-afternoon, a tough meeting or having the kids home has left you drained. Suddenly, that biscuit tin isn’t just calling your name—it’s shouting. You know what you want to do. But something else takes over.
That clash? That’s cognitive dissonance in action.
It happens when your conscious goals (like eating more nourishing food) collide with subconscious beliefs (like “I deserve a treat when I’m stressed”). And over time, it creates friction that wears you down and leaves you wondering why lasting change feels so hard.
Why Summer Can Stir the Storm
Summer is often a trigger for dissonance. Social expectations, disrupted sleep, and ‘treat yourself’ moments can all unearth long-held subconscious beliefs—many of which you might not even realise are there.
“I relax with a glass of wine.”
“Summer means ice cream—don’t spoil the fun.”
“I’ll start again in September.”
These aren’t just thoughts. They’re ingrained neural patterns formed over years of repetition. And once the brain links pleasure or relief to a behaviour, it stores it away for next time.
But here’s the truth: those beliefs aren’t fixed. They can be changed. Not by force, but by understanding and realignment.
How to Gently Rewire Your Summer Thinking
This isn’t about discipline. It’s about awareness and kind curiosity. Here’s how to start shifting your mind into harmony—with zero diets, guilt or rules.
1. Spot the Sneaky Narratives
The moment you feel a pull towards something misaligned with your goals, pause.
Ask:
- What am I believing in this moment?
- Is it true?
- Is it helpful?
For example, if “a drink helps me unwind” comes up—pause and probe. Does it? Or does it disrupt your sleep and leave you flat the next day?
Bring the belief into the light. That’s how it loses its grip.
2. Turn Beliefs on Their Head
Try this simple exercise when dissonance creeps in:
Old belief: “Sugar perks me up.”
New truth: “It gives me a crash, guilt, and that ‘off track’ feeling.”
Then ask: Is this belief serving who I want to be? If the answer is no, you’re already rewiring.
3. Honour Your Values in Tiny Ways
If health is important to you, your actions need to start speaking that language too. Not in grand gestures—but in micro-moments.
- Swap the “all or nothing” mindset for “a little better.”
- Choose water before the glass of wine.
- Take a breath before you reach for the snack.
Each aligned action, no matter how small, brings your mind and body back into sync. And that sync is where the magic lies.
4. Go Slowly—And Stay Kind
Summer isn’t the time to overhaul your life. It’s the time to notice what’s already there and gently start shifting what doesn’t serve you.
One belief.
One behaviour.
One step.
That’s how real change begins.
5. Celebrate Every Win
Reinforcing new beliefs is all about repetition. Write down when you make a choice you’re proud of—even if it’s tiny. This sends a signal to your brain: more of this, please.
The more you reinforce your new path, the stronger those new neural connections become. Before you know it, what once felt hard becomes second nature.
The Summer Shift Isn’t About Sacrifice—It’s About Realignment
When you start to understand that the real work isn’t about restriction but about realignment—everything changes. You stop battling yourself and start building trust.
Because this summer isn’t about being “perfect.”
It’s about being present.
It’s about tuning in.
It’s about letting go of what no longer fits—and choosing what feels like you.
Let that be your guide.
And remember: You’re not doing this alone. You’ve got a community, a programme, and—most importantly—your own inner wisdom walking beside you.
Ready to make peace with your mind and enjoy the summer your way? Let’s go.
