“Summertime, and the living is easy.”
It is mid-July: How is your summer tan coming along?
To many, summer becomes a time of appearance and decadent indulgence. Bikini-ready bodies, Instagram-ed patio dining, and perfect tans: Summer is the time of doing more and looking better with less.
But is this the true meaning of Christmas in July summer?
What if we shift the paradigm?
What happens if we hone in on summer as a period defined by simple pleasures? Jumping in a frigid pool, using the gift of additional daylight to explore a new hobby, kayaking across a crisp lake: These are the tiny moments that define the most resplendent season.
Summer is all about finding time to slow down and enjoy things you wouldn’t normally do. There is something inherently liberating in this prospect; a tangible freedom characterizes June through August and colors these months in rosy hues of possibility. While there is certainly nothing wrong with intentionally working on your “tan,” perhaps there is more to summer than merely polishing your appearance and pursuing plans that give the impression you are “living your best life.” Maybe, just maybe, summer can embolden and unfetter us in unprecedented ways.
This summer I have made the conscious decision to try new things and grow by intentionally pursuing diverse opportunities. Whether it’s something simple and seemingly common sense such as dedicating time to read by the pool[1], or something more unusual and perhaps out of my normal routine such as joining an adult kickball league, summer is a time to challenge yourself to slow down, stretch yourself, and embrace the new. While everyone’s journey is unique, here are several experiences I have sought out to soak up the sun and get the most out of these summer months.
Immerse yourself in an escape
Summers are intended to be spent curled up on the porch with a good book, so why not dedicate a few minutes of every day to indulge in an escape of your choosing? Extra daylight hours practically necessitate this practice, so check out your local library or bookstore and pick up something that captures your attention. I recently finished Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Americanah (I highly recommend!) and have started my book club’s next pick, Ordinary Grace by bestselling author William Kent Krueger. Regardless of your selection, take time to let yourself get lost in a novel. Travel to new places, transcend the boundaries of time, and meet fascinating new people that challenge your perspectives and push you to grow in ways you hadn’t previously considered. And, while you’re at it, why not brew up a fresh batch of iced tea (or a frozen margarita, for that matter)? All good readers need to stay hydrated, after all.
Explore local offerings
Summer is a perfect time to stretch yourself (quite literally) in new ways. Why not explore the diverse offerings of a local farmers’ market and see what tickles your fancy? While local venues can certainly be sources of shopping entertainment,[2] many farmers’ markets also host events ranging from live music to story time to group fitness. A couple weeks ago a friend and I explored the Mill City Farmers market in downtown Minneapolis. Not only did we roam the locally sourced stalls, but we also reveled in the luxury of participating in outdoor yoga. A nearby gym provided an instructor to coach downward-facing-dog lovers through an hour of complimentary yoga alongside the scenic Mississippi River and Stone Arch Bridge. Feeling the sun warm my skin as I stretched both my muscles and my mind was a great start to the morning, and as we rolled up our yoga mats at the end of the session and casually perused the fresh offerings we experienced a fresh invitation to embrace the full, relaxing summer weekend ahead.
Experiment with your green thumb
I love all things green, and I am a total plant lady with one simple preventative disclaimer: I have a curious habit of killing all things green. Indeed, Cam delights in teasing me that I have a “black thumb” and every plant I touch devolves into chaos and destruction. While he isn’t wrong, per se[3], my plant caregiving techniques are steeped in only the purest intentions. In fact, I dare say I love my plants too much and kill them as a result of unrequited love and warmth[4]. That said, I have thus far been successful in my endeavors growing two summer vegetables: A tomato plant and a jalapeño pepper plant. Oddly enough, I received both plants for free while they were in their infancy stages[5]. With proper water, sunlight, and a comfortable spot on our porch, both plants have developed with surprising vigor and vivacity. Watering my plants each morning and witnessing new growth has cultivated an unexpected source of joy, and I eagerly await the day I can harvest the fruits of my labors and prove, once and for all, my thumbs are not actually black.
Invite relaxation time
Nothing says “summer” quite like spending time by the water. Whether it’s an ocean, a lake, or a pool, summers are intended to be spent soaking up the sun while basking in some gloriously refreshing H20. For this reason, I have recently decided to include “pool time” as an intentional part of my weekly schedule. It doesn’t have to be lengthy, but making the conscious decision to take a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life by grabbing a book, slapping on some sunscreen, and heading for the water can only lead to positive outcomes. Whether it’s fifteen minutes or several hours, do yourself the favor of taking time to break from your routine and bask in the glory of some cool, clear water.
Embrace “bad” weather
Think “summer” and hot, cloudless days instantly come to mind. However, summer is not only meant for the glorious, unmarred breezy days we have all come to know and love. Summer is also a time of intense heat, changing weather patterns, and incoming storms. This week has been particularly broiling in the Twin Cities, and these intense bouts of heat have only been outdone by even more intense storm fronts that have quickly come to envelope the metro area on a near daily basis. While storms can certainly sour and dampen traditional summer plans, there is a certain beauty that comes with redefining how we view “bad” weather and choosing to embrace the potential of what storms can ultimately offer. Yes, I wanted to take off on a thirty mile bike ride, but I suppose I wouldn’t be too put out if I binged watched three straight episodes of Game of Thrones instead. Yes, I originally planned to grill pizzas on the patio, but oven-baked pizzas, beer, and board games offer a quite pleasant alternative, thank you very much. Rethink summer storms as unique opportunities for switching up plans and allowing nature to run her course, and you will be surprised at the striking beauty that follows.
Embark on a new adventure
I love meeting new people and trying new things, but it can be difficult to do so when this involves partaking in activities that stray from your typical repertoire. While I love all things fitness, I wouldn’t particularly say I have a burning desire to play kickball. However, when the opportunity arose to join my alma mater’s local alumni kickball league, I put my ambivalence for the sport aside and readily embraced the opportunity. As our 3-6 record attests, our team isn’t particularly talented, but what we lack in kickball skill we readily make up in spirit and camaraderie. I have quickly grown fond of my time on the field, and I am thankful for the friendships that have blossomed as a result of good natured ribbing, countless laughs, and an unguarded willingness to let ourselves not only “fail” at something, but find comfort and affirmation in doing so, knowing that the real victory comes with saying “yes” and embracing new opportunities.
“Summertime, and the living is easy.”
Yes, the “living” is “easier” during the summer, but this ease and carefree indulgence doesn’t come as a guarantee. Sometimes even relaxation takes a bit of planning and intentionality. While it is mid-July, summer is certainly far from over. View what remains of this glorious season as a call to action: Take up something you wouldn’t normally do, slow down, and soak up the benefits you will be sure to reap with a well-intentioned change to your routine.
What if this summer we chose not only to work on our “tans,” but to also work on ourselves, the complex people behind the bronzed veneers?
If we choose this path, the world will open up with possibility and potential.
The living certainly would become easier indeed.
[1] Which can prove surprisingly challenging for a detail oriented, to-do list focused personality.
[2] Who doesn’t love a good-natured Iron Chef-style challenge? I am tasked to prepare a meal with only fresh kale, handpicked blueberries, and local honey? Challenge accepted!
[3] I may or may not have unintentionally destroyed several cacti in my day. The hardest plant to kill off? Let’s just say I have a knack for making the “impossible” look easy.
[4] Which is not wholly unlike the suffocating love all European grandmothers demonstrate through their seemingly insatiable need to present food as synonymous with love. I don’t know about your grandma, but to my grandma food equals love, and if you don’t eat the food she prepares you—and I mean all of it—then you might as well start digging yourself an early grave. But grandma, I just ate twenty minutes ago! you say? Too bad! Eat something or go home knowing you have not only brought shame upon your house but you have also left your grandma with a broken heart only time food can fill.
[5] Read: Prime time for me to really screw them up for life.
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