You can make the most of your summer, no matter how you spend your day-to-day.
Are you sitting at a desk, thinking about how you should be enjoying this sunny day? Don’t.
How you view your summer is in your mind –
– and it’s entirely in your power to grab some beautiful moments and make the most of them. It may take a little planning, but the season is still yours.
Focusing on Mindset
Our mood and mental health begins and ends with our mindset. What we tell ourselves about our experience is often the most important. Maintaining the attitude that we can still enjoy ourself and make time for it, even though we’re working, often opens ourselves up for more possibilities.
Making Time for Social Opportunities
Getting time in for friends and family can help us feel like we’re in vacation mode.
Scheduling a walk with a friend after work, meeting up with someone for a quick lunch during your lunch break, or grabbing a co-worker for coffee can give us the summer experience.
Scheduling Fun Experiences During Time When We’re Not at Work
Planning for that Sunday night barbecue or that Shabbos away can help us enjoy the sunshine while we’re out, without feeling like we’re missing out when we’re stuck indoors. Going for that swim after work or dashing to the beach on the weekend can really let us feel like we’re on vacation.
Prioritizing Relaxation
This may not be the time to tackle ten extra projects or take on those work assignments. If you want to feel rejuvenated and feel the benefits from that summer experience, learn to let go and find moments to sit outside with a glass of lemonade or iced coffee, go for a leisurely walk after supper, and maybe take an easier approach to work and household responsibilities in general.
Focusing on Gratitude
Our ability to have a great summer depends on how we view it. Focusing on what we are able to take away instead of what we are not affects our feeling like we had a vacation, even though we are still at work. Telling ourselves “Wow that was a great day getaway,” or “I’m so glad I was able to sleep in this morning,” allows us to still get that vacation feel.
Wow! Exactly what I needed! Another great thing I do is that I write down all little things I did, for example I went out for Ice Cream, or I read a book on the couch, or went swimming once… My list is really growing, its really making me feel like I am enjoying my summer, even though I work full time! My friends who are off are telling me that I am summering more than them…
Love the idea of writing it down!