My Mantra For Summer
This essay originally appeared in the Monday morning newsletter on 6/15/20.
Can you believe Saturday marks the official first day of summer?
Ah, summer. The season of slowing down, sleeping in, basking in the sun and cooling down with ice cream. From anxiously awaiting the end of school to battling through those cold, dark and wintry months, many daydream about summer with great anticipation.
Obviously, this year is very different. From the canceled quintessential summer activities to the heaviness of the current world, daydreaming about a joyful, freedom-filled summer isn’t coming as naturally for me personally. And I’m saying this as someone who also recognizes the many advantages I have. I can’t even imagine how others are navigating planning summer activities for young kids, being furloughed/without a job or caring for a sick family member.
Even though our situations vary, I think we can agree our summer experience will be different this year.
But even with the atypical circumstances, how can we still experience some of our favorite parts of this coveted season?
What if we tried adopting a “summer mantra” or a “summer slogan?” Some kind of catchy phrase that would be repeated frequently to bring meaning and keep us focused in this unusual time.
Sure, it may be a cheesy idea, but here’s a few reasons why I think it could be beneficial:
- We’ll prioritize the time directly in front of us. By focusing on a season, we’re breaking down our uncertain futures into smaller, more manageable amounts of time. When I reframe my thinking and focus on the time between now and Labor Day Weekend, I feel less overwhelmed. I’m preventing my imagination from running wild with anxious thoughts about the future and I’m able to be intentional about these upcoming months.
- We are going to remember this summer more than other summers. Did you know that switching up your routine improves your ability to retain information? Research shows that when you change your routine, you stimulate your hippocampus (where long-term memories are stored) and allow yourself to remember things with greater emotional depth and connection. This is why we can vividly remember where we were when we received shocking news or why we remember a discussion that happened on a family vacation, but not the one at the dinner table last Tuesday. I also think this is why the first couple weeks of quarantine felt so incredibly long. We were all breaking every part of our routines. Eventually, we settled into new ones, and all the sudden, time sped up. (How is it already mid-June?!) This summer is going to be different than any summer we’ve experienced before. And that means we’re more likely to remember this season… so what kind of memories do you want to have?
- Joy is a necessary release right now. Pursuing joy might seem trivial or even inconsiderate right now. I feel that. But I also know humans have an amazing ability to simultaneously hold two conflicting feelings at the same time. I’m also willing to bet we could all benefit from the release joyful moments could provide. One of the best things we can do for those we love and care about is to take care of our own well-being. And a summer mantra that reminds you to seek out moments of joy could be a great way to do that.
So, what’s my mantra for this summer? After some reflection, I’ve decided that my mantra is to choose adventure over comfort.
Now, I’m not talking about adventures like extreme sports competitions or strenuous activities. After all, my mantra is not adventure over safety (that sounds exhausting)!
Instead, I chose this mantra to help reframe a few upcoming things I’m nervous about. For example:
- I’m nervous about going back to Chicago and being on my own after being with my family for so long. But I’m thinking of it as an adventure. It almost feels as if I am moving to the city all over again.
- There’s one creative project I’ve been thinking about recently and I can’t wait to embark on the adventure of pursuing it.
- I’m anxious because I don’t know when my work will return to the office and what that will look like. But I’m continuing to find an adventure in working from home.
- My typical summer reading list is usually filled with light beach reads. However, this year I’m venturing out. I’m adding in some of the books I’ve recently purchased (like Austin’s, Ibram’s and Ijeoma’s!) that I’m eager to read to continue educating myself.
- I’m not sure what my summer Chicago weekends will look like this year without the free street festivals right outside my door, Cubs games and crowded rooftop bars… but I look forward to the adventure of seeing how I fill my time and enjoy the best time of the year in the Windy City.
What do you think? Will you pick a summer mantra for this year?
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