While listening to a friend today share about her summer plans, I found myself getting tense. One vacation overseas with her husband followed by a trip with the whole family to meet up with her broader family made me want to take a nap.
She was already mentally juggling when she could see every family member, whom she loves, while also ensuring that the kids had fabulous experiences every day.
When we think of summer, we often think of freedom and joy — forgetting how much work it can take to create fun for the kids, cover for colleagues who are out, and still make room for our own R&R.
As we move into full summer mode, I’d like to suggest that your summer plans also embrace the art of simplifying.
I remember growing up that many mothers made simple meals, often not turning on the stove to avoid heating the house, especially during our sometimes brutal Texas heat.
What could you do to simplify your summer to-do list?
- Could you plan one kid-friendly fun activity each week instead of planning several?
- Could you ask a colleague which of their duties are most pressing, while releasing the rest until they return?
- Or could you simply notify the family that for your summer vacation, you’re taking off one day (or two?) a week. No cooking, cleaning, or unnecessary activities that you don’t enjoy.
What, you say?
But how could I?
You can do it by giving yourself permission to enjoy yourself as much as you want your family to enjoy themselves. It starts by putting yourself on your list of priorities.
Can you do it? Of course!
Will you? I hope so – start small, then step-by-step. Enjoy yourself!
0 Comments