Be Selfish, Make Summer Yours
Take Pen to Paper: Edition 140
Summer is officially here, friends!
Does everyone ask if you have big plans?
If you don’t have big plans, the media has many suggestions for you.
In this newsletter:
A leftover illusion from childhood.
The reality of summer activities.
Be selfish with the summer you have.
Summer Was More Than A Season
The media would have us believe that we have extra time during the summer to accomplish anything. This is an illusion built around the word ‘summer’. That illusion is left over from our childhood.
Summer was more than a season. It was no school, playing outside until dark, popsicles, riding your bike to your friend's house, swimming, and maybe a vacation. Those were the activities I remember from childhood. Summer would never end!
I have vivid memories of playing Kick the Can, with the streetlight being home base. I went to the pool every day. There was an endless supply of popsicles and Kool-Aid. Those memories stay with us.
Summer stood out among the seasons. It was special.
Have you ever noticed how magazines, social media, and television have the same vision? They have endless ideas for how you can spend your summers.
Do we really have the time?
Reality Hits
Summer has a different meaning for children and adults.
The summer activities change when you are old enough to have a job. The definition of summer changes to just one of the four seasons of the year.
For working adults, summer looks a lot like the rest of the year, except hotter. Working adults may have time for a vacation, but they don’t go to the pool every day. They go to work. Adults with children whose schedules are ruled by the school calendar may choose to take a week or two off for vacation.
I remember one vacation to the beach and one trip to see national parks in the southwest. Those vacations cost money. A stay in a hotel was a treat.
Most of my childhood vacations involved visiting family. We lived away from our grandparents and cousins. Vacations were spent visiting with them.
A Season To Think Of Yourself
So, how can an adult make their summer a little special for themselves besides being hotter (and more expensive)?
Don’t break the bank with a Disney vacation. In fact, don’t leave town at all. Think of small activities that are new and special to you. Think of small weekly or daily activities that you would enjoy. Be selfish.
Maybe these activities will give you some ideas:
Take your child/spouse/friend/self on a weekly ice cream/coffee date. Just the two of you.
Read a long book. Five pages a day will get you through a 500-page book. It may be the beginning of a reading habit.
Take up a daily habit like meditation, walking, stretching, or journaling.
Master cooking one challenging recipe you love. Once a week during the summer should do it.
Read or write a poem each day.
Revisit your favorite childhood activity!
Whatever you choose, it should be an activity you want to do. Something you think you will enjoy. Make the kids some Kool-Aid or send them out with a popsicle, then indulge yourself.
What will I do this summer?
I have two plans. I’m going to curate an art exhibit of my artistic efforts in the attic room we just finished, and I’m going to challenge myself to sketch in my journal every day. I wonder if I can make that a habit.
7 Days, 7 Thoughts on Gratitude and Good:
It’s a good thing to share your summer memories with your children. Have they ever played Kick-the-Can or Capture-the-Flag? How about making homemade popsicles? 🍦
I am grateful for the one-on-one time I get with my granddaughters. They each have such different personalities that I don’t see when they are together.
Looking for a long read? Check out this list. Some I’ve read, some I haven’t. Other authors to consider are Leo Tolstoy, Sir Walter Scott, Charles Dickens, Geraldine Brooks, and Ann Patchett. 📖
You probably guessed I would throw journaling in here. Journaling is for everyone; however, did you know gratitude doesn’t work for everyone? You can read my thoughts on that here. ✍️
I shared this almost a year ago. If you want to try your hand at poetry, here are Five Short Forms to Try.
Or, subscribe to Poem-a-Day and one will be delivered to your email.
It’s a good thing to do something for yourself. Consider it self-care.
Thank you for reading. Do you have any big plans for the summer? 😉
Until next time,
💚
Susan
What is your favorite childhood summer memory? Leave a comment and let me know. I would love to hear about it.
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I have a 2nd newsletter about journaling. It’s a great way to learn about journaling, especially if you are new to the habit. If you are interested or know someone who would be, check it out at From The Pen’s Nib: A Commonplace Book About Journaling.