Every year, when I think about summer, I notice this big competition in my brain. On the one hand, I picture all the good stuff from my childhood – a blank expanse of days to do with what I want, run around in the sprinkler, go to the pool, eat popsicles, ride bikes until it’s too dark to see, read endlessly without interruption, and go camping! On the other hand, the adult part of my brain stacks up a bunch of projects and tasks that are going to get done “this summer”. Like my brand new website. And cool programs I’m working on. And lots of writing. And house renovation stuff. The list can get pretty long. And worrying about or avoiding what’s on the “adult” list or slogging through too many projects in one day both can cut into my ability to enjoy the fun stuff. If I’ve worked all day I’m resentful that there wasn’t some lovely pool time, and if I’ve avoided or worried instead, maybe “sneaking” some fun in like a marathon reading session of a book I can’t put down, then I’m also kind of miserable, because I didn’t do my work.
This summer I’ve decided to change things up. The first thing I realized I needed to change were my unreasonable expectations about what I can actually accomplish in a summer. Summer is not infinite, even though it seemed that way in early June back when we were seven years old. The other thing I realized is that I was tired of not enjoying the “fun” things because I was only half there, the other half of me worrying about the big projects that were sitting untouched. So I decided to get gentle with myself. I sat down and created a beautiful vision board for summer with lots of relaxing pinks and blues, and words like “gentle”, “short and sweet”, “easy” and “celebrate”.
I decided to prioritize a couple of extra-fun things for myself. I’m studying French! I’m practicing French every day, something completely new to me, and it is such FUN! I’m also making sure there are plenty of excursions, big and small, this summer. About two days after I made this board, I headed out on the Appalachian Trail for a week, and look at what I saw on the first day!
It’s like my vision board came to life before my eyes, with the exact same colors. The woods were full of pink rhododendrons and fluffy white mountain laurel. The clouds and sky were lavender and blue. Truly magical.
Oh, and the couple of big projects like my website and programs? Now that I’ve given myself some space and permission to have some real and unobstructed fun, they’re happening too, in a reasonable and happy way. Free (mostly) of angst. I know – it sounds kind of pie in the sky. But it’s amazing how some tiny mental shifts can make such a difference.
If you’re in a similar boat and want a little more help getting your summer straight and having it be a tasty mix of fun and getting stuff done, you’re invited to my one hour class called Pie in the Sky! It’s on Tuesday, June 25, 7:30 p.m. Central, on the phone (recorded if you can’t make it live), and it’s going to be fabulous! Pie recipes will be included! We’ll figure out how you can savor your summer instead of slog through it, while still getting some major stuff accomplished. Details and sign up here. Come join if it feels delicious!
This is so true….life is too short to simply not allow yourself time to do the fun things here and there along with work too! Our society makes us feel so guilty about not getting enough done in one day! I have observed that working away from the house is actually better for making the switch from work time to play time….when at work…work……..when at home…play and enjoy. Unfortunately, for those of us that find it more cost effective to use our homes for work and play it becomes harder to separate the two.. Hence, I suggest a dedicated space in the home strictly for work…and all work related items stay there and certain rooms in the house that never, ever get used for work related items such as the kitchen, bedroom, and main living area where you play. Once you are done with work…close the door to the office or work room to delete it from your home relaxation space. This actually mentally “shuts you off” and takes you away from the work environment. The office door’s side facing the living space outside the office should be clean and blank and void of anything on it that indicates work to indicate work is looming behind it. In fact, nothing on the door will present a complete, peaceful, organized and serene environment despite what is inside the office.
Yes, those of us who work from home have to be more vigilant for sure! I love that you’re keeping your work in one room in the house and closing the door. I’m improving on this, but the nature of my work has me sometimes doing it sitting outside on the deck, or in the grass, or somewhere else pretty. That is a lucky thing! So I need to shift particular mental rituals to let myself know when I am working and when I’m playing.
I love the idea of savoring summer instead of slogging through it. Summer is not my favorite season (and may be less so now that I’m living south of the Mason-Dixon line), but there are things about it that I know I can learn to love (now that I’m living near the ocean!). I haven’t done a vision board in ages. Might be time to sit down and do one. Thank you! 🙂
Sounds lovely, Robin! Happy for you in your new home by the ocean! And would love to see your vision board when you make one! 🙂