How to Create an Intentional (and FUN!) Summer
The Summer of 2020 was unlike any other. No camps or sports for kids, normal vacations or fun with friends. Now, summer 2021 is on the horizon and it already looks and feels so much different than last year. Of course we’re still navigating COVID-19, but summer camps are open, people are ready to travel and calendars are filling up with activities and celebrations.
While this seems like a good thing, summertime can also be overwhelming due to schedule changes, less structure, and increased demands on your time.
So how do you create the summer you want? Just like you approach any season - by being mindful about what you want, how you want to feel, and intentionally structuring your days and weeks to get there.
Here are a few helpful tips to help you create an amazing summer:
Write down how you want to feel. Are you ready for adventure after a year of being cooped up or do you need rest after a challenging 14 months?
After you identify how you want to feel, ask yourself what you need to do to feel the way you want to feel? How does your summer schedule need to be structured? What activities will support the way you want to feel? Most importantly, what things do you need to avoid so you don’t feel stressed and burnt out?
What’s on your summer bucket list? This is a great question to ask your partner and family. What vacations do you want to plan? What fun activities can you do locally?
Draft your new schedule based off camps, vacations, childcare needs, etc. How will your daily/weekly schedule need to be adjusted based on school being out, work needs, etc.? What do your kids need in their daily schedule to keep their sanity (and yours, ha!)?
Just because it’s summer, doesn’t mean you have to put your goals on the back burner, but it does mean your expectations need to match the time you have available. For example, if the kids are now home during the week, you might not be able to spend the same amount of time you did when they were in school. However, what are the small steps you can take to make progress and keep the momentum going?
There are seasons where you can hit your goals hard, and there are seasons where the small steps you take can STILL move you forward! And that’s okay.
This summer you have an opportunity to reconnect with the people, places and experiences that you’ve missed over the past year. Enjoy every moment!
How will you create an intentional AND fun summer? I would love to hear about it, email hello@allisonmoore.com