Ah, summer. It’s time to relax, unwind, and enjoy long summer days sipping lemonade without a care in the world.
That ideal vision may seem elusive to many of us, but we can capture its essence more often this season if we try.
Stop Hurrying
Maybe you’re a parent who just completed the marathon known as the end of the school year, or you’re coming off of a busy season at work. It can be challenging to set down a habit of hurrying if you’ve been at it for a while.Notice when you’re rushing and hurrying through the parts of your day that really aren’t all that urgent. Do you need to make that sandwich at breakneck speed? Is it that important you take the fastest route to run your errands? Do you have to see every task as something to get over with as soon as possible?
In our efforts to be more productive and efficient, we can lose sight of appreciating the life that is in front of us. This summer, allow yourself to not just get your to-do list over with but also enjoy the moments of your life as you go about them. Slow down. Try not to always be in a hurry. Smile and enjoy the little things.
Check Your Thoughts
We can find ourselves stuck in detrimental thought loops when life gets busy or overwhelming. If you’re coming off of a busy season, allow summer to give you an opportunity to cut off thought loops that increase your worries, your frustrations, your impatience, and your negative emotions. Observe your thoughts and notice when they repeat and spiral. Choose instead to find things to appreciate in your day and in each moment.Summer Hours
Many companies employ “summer hours,” inviting employees to end their days early on Fridays, for example. Our modern lifestyles often entail bringing work home or working from home endlessly without taking a break or enjoying time with family. Strive this summer to create more balance in this regard, working a little bit less if possible and setting more consistent boundaries between work time and free time.Turn Off Screens
As a society, we are spending an exorbitant amount of time, attention, and energy on screens. Allow your mind to get a break from the constant onslaught by doing all you can to reduce your use of screens this summer. It may be difficult at first; their addictive nature is no secret. But the peace of mind is worth the effort.Minimize Your Calendar
Summer is a great time to reassess the obligations you’ve set up for yourself. Check your calendar and see whether decluttering might allow you more time to unwind this summer. What is no longer a priority or necessary? What would be better off rescheduled or delegated? Freeing up time in summer not only allows you the time that event would have taken but also all the time and energy you would have devoted to anticipating and preparing for it. Clear your calendar wherever you can.Have Fun
What’s your idea of fun? For some, fun is daring adventure; for others, it’s reading a book in a hammock. Don’t forget to partake in the activities that bring you joy this summer. Spend time with family and friends. Rekindle your love for a hobby or pastime. Let go of needing every moment to be a productive one or every hour to be efficient. It’s summer. Have some fun.
