The Long Days of Summer

As a child, summer seemed to last forever. The days were long and full of adventure and magic, sticking in our memories more deeply than what we learned at school. As we grow older, summer may not be quite what it used to be, but the magic of late sunsets, drive in movies, neighbors visiting for barbecues, staying out late into the evening, and the sound of crickets still have a nostalgic pull. We all look forward to summer, but often it feels like we blink and suddenly it’s August, leaving us with a list of things we haven’t done. Don’t let the summer months just speed by, plan now to make the most of this time of the year. Here are a few things to consider as you start planning your summer.

Ask Yourself Questions. The best place to start is to consider what you actually want to do this summer. What do you hope to create? How do you want to relax? What relationships do you want to develop? Go over each of these questions with your family and plan as much as you can together so they will all feel invested in the outcome. If you plan to create something wonderful, to truly relax, to develop stronger relationships, and find creative ways to manage your down time, you’ll be more than satisfied with your summer results.

Do things you loved doing as a child. This could include having a water balloon fight, sleeping in a tent in your backyard, roasting s’mores, going to a drive-in movie, making bird feeders, having a picnic, doing sidewalk chalk art, and so much more. Invite your friends and family to join. Bring back the magic of summer, and create lasting memories for the next generation!

Build a new habit. This could be reading, exercising, drinking water, journaling, or eating better. It can take as little as 21 days to form a habit, so if you stay committed and follow through every single day starting right now, you’ll easily create a new habit before the end of the summer. 

Prioritize. You may look at these suggestions and come up with a hundred ideas you now want to fit into your summer. We feel the urge to take a break from the daily grind and spend some quality time with those we love. We may even feel pressure to do something big—perhaps travel, or change the landscape in our yards. Most of us could write an extensive list of things we’d like to do, but summer is short. Look at your list and assign them A, B, or C priority and schedule them into your summer accordingly.

Life is not measured in minutes or seconds, it’s measured by events—and no time of the year is more eventful than summer. Ensure you spend this time wisely by planning ahead and doing things that will make you feel happy and fulfilled.