the triple-digit sanctuary list

a curated guide to surviving the final stretch of Texas heat through A/C escapades, low-fi mindfulness, and small kitchen alchemy.

Aug 06, 2026

This summer, I am challenging myself to be more positive about August. It’s tough though. If I’m honest, there are very few positive things to say about this month. Usually, I just feel overwhelmed by the relentless heat and humidity. My usual routine is to hibernate, staying indoors all day long and only venturing outside once the evening shows some relief.

But as I sat with that feeling, of me not wanting to be so negative. I had a realization; I have lived in Texas for 15 years now. Back during my high school and university days, I used to escape the summers entirely by spending them in Mexico City. The weather there is so much cooler and wetter than what we experience here in the DFW metroplex. But when I graduated and stayed in Texas full-time, the reality of its summers truly set in. Some years they weren’t too bad, but others they were brutal.

Over the last decade, I have realized I have quietly built up a collection of routines to cope with August. For me and I like to say I speak for almost every Texan, this is the hardest leg of a Texas summer. In June, the heat is kinder. In July, you still have some stamina. But by the time August rolls around? You are just completely exhausted. My patience is gone and I find myself thinking, “I literally cannot do this anymore.”

Can anyone really blame us? We are staring down a straight month of thirty-plus days with temperatures tracking over 100°F.

So, this isn’t a bucket list of grand adventures. It is a sanctuary list of low-fi, highly intentional activities designed to keep you completely away from the heat while preserving your peace of mind. I hope these routines bring bit of comfort and relief to you this month.

The Escapades (outings that guarantee a blast of cold air)

Indoor Ice Skating: Every August, this is the very fist activity I book. Trading the suffocating Texas heat for an indoor sheet of ice feels like a glitch in the summer matrix. My local ice skating rink has an olde-school jukebox, and I love to play “Unwritten.” Does anyone remember the movie Ice Princess?!
Go roller skating: Lofi music, neon-lit hardwood floors, Y2K vibes, and the absolute best concession stand food I have ever found. It’s especially fun if you go during themed nights, my favorite is ‘80s night. The music was just iconic back then.
Go bowling/ Visit an arcade/ Ride bumper cars: Lean straight into childhood arcade nostalgia because it’s always air-conditioned. Honestly, doing this gets me so ready for carnival fair season.
Spend an afternoon at a museum: Walking through quiet, beautifully chilled galleries where time slows down. Museums are my comfort place, I go there more than any place in town. I just love the peace and quiet. It’s so serene, and I always treat myself to lunch on their patio afterward. Its my favorite outing.

In-House Alchemy (Small, creative kitchen projects)

Make fun ice cubes: Freeze stars, hearts, or moons into your water to make romanticizing daily hydration a little easier. Its just a nice, simple way to add a touch of whimsy to my morning routine. I see everyone on social media adding sprinkles to their drinks but that’s too much sugar for me. I’d much rather take my sugar in the form of a homemade flavored syrup.
Make a syrup for the month: I love to be playful when it comes to my iced coffees and matchas, so once in a while, I add homemade flavored syrups. This month I am leaning into blackberry and maple syrup blend to elevate my morning coffee or a glass of sparking water.
Bake a key lime pie: Test out a brand-new flavor combination (like blackberry!) and embrace the temporary heat of the oven. Trust me, it is so worth it. This has become an annual tradition in my home. Every August, without a fail, we bake a key lime pie.

Sensory Transitions (Preparing your mind and body for autumn)

Take a peppermint shower: Starting or ending your day with a cooling, tingling sensory reset is truly amazing when humidity peaks.
Save seeds for next year’s garden: A quite, tactile way of reminding ourselves that a brand new season is always on its way. Collect faded flower heads and dried seed pods, shaking the seeds into small paper envelopes to store away a little piece of this summer for next spring.
Notice what’s reaching it’s peak: Paying attention to what is thriving right now before the landscape shifts. Bake that peach or apricot galette before the season disappears.

Low-Fi Mindfulness (Digital detoxes and mental space)

Leave the house without your phone: Even if it’s just for a brief, ten-minute walk around the block right after the sunsets.
Open your notes app: Write down the fleeting things you want to remember from this summer before September arrives.
Start a playlist that helps you through the season: Curating the exact vibe you need to keep your headspace cool.

Here is a playlist with the perfect summer vibes: