It is hard to believe it is the middle of May already. Summer is right around the corner. Do you have any plans yet for the summer? I remember while growing up how exciting it was to have the whole summer off from school. We would spend days in our above ground pool and take breaks from swimming to play board games. I loved reading, so, summer was also a time to leisurely read. Nancy Drew books were my favorite. Try these 3 steps to your best summer ever.
This summer try to make it your best summer ever. What brings you joy? What makes your heart sing? A friend of mine is going through a tough time and I encouraged her to do something that she loves doing. She responded, “I do not know what brings me joy. I work a lot and never do anything for myself.”
It is easy to get complacent and just exist day to day. God wants us to have joyful, happy lives. Take some time to plan for your summer. I decided this summer I want to try watercolor painting. It is a gift to myself. I may not have any talent for it, but, I can assure you I will have fun experimenting with the paints and brushes.
3 Steps to Your Best Summer Ever
Allow yourself 5 – 10 minutes of quiet time to write out your answers. Sit in a chair, take a few deep breaths and think back to your childhood or a summer when you had a great time. What were you doing? Where were you? Who were you with? What made you smile? Your answers do not have to be complicated, simple answers are the best.
Step 1. Get a sheet of paper and a pen. At the top of the page write, “The Top 10 things that would MAKE THIS YOUR BEST SUMMER EVER”. Write the numbers 1- 10. Imagine the sun is shining. You’re relaxed, happy, can’t help but smile and are at peace with yourself and the world. What are you doing? What’s going on in your life? Now, start writing the 10 things.
If your life is busy with not many options right now, find small things you can do for yourself. (a 20 minute walk, dinner with friends, a weekend away) And remember- your best summer ever may be about what you don’t do as well. (Taking a nap, resting)
Step 2. Below your 10 things, write 3 actions that will move you closer to your BEST SUMMER EVER. These can be small action steps. The important point is that you take these three steps this week.
Step 3. Next week create 3 more action steps based on your 10 things.
What would make this your best summer ever?