Do you have any plans yet for the summer? While growing up, I remember 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 read leisurely. Nancy Drew’s books were my favorite. Try these three 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 exist day to day. But God wants us to have joyful, happy lives. So 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 assure you I will have fun experimenting with paints and brushes.
3 Steps to Your Best Summer Ever
Allow yourself 5 – 10 minutes to write out your answers. Then, sit in a chair, take a few deep breaths, and reflect on 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 ten things.
If your life is busy with few options, 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 ten things, write three actions that will move you closer to your BEST SUMMER EVER. These can be small action steps. The critical point is that you take these three steps this week.
Step 3. Next week create three more action steps based on your ten things.
What would make this your best summer ever?