10 things to do this summer

Summer is one of my favorite seasons, although my partner would definitely disagree (she’s not a fan of the heat). One thing we both love however is the time we spend together during the summer, during family outings with our son. If there’s anyone who loves being outdoors and soaking in the summer sun, it’s him. To make the most out of your summer, you want to focus on what helps you thrive, what makes you feel renewed and energized. Here are some ideas that are guiding me this summer to make the most of it:

Carve out more time for those you love – If you have any vacation time, take it. Even if it’s just a few days, spending time with those you love can not only re-energize you but it can help to deepen and strengthen your relationships and create great memories with family and friends.

Spend time in nature – Being outdoors can have so many great health benefits. It’s great for stress and mood. And it keeps you active. Whether you’re going for a hike or spending the day at the beach, enjoy the nice weather and breathe fresh air.

Practice self-care – Take some time for you. Do something you love and that brings you joy. It might mean being creative (journaling, art, writing music), or maybe it’s treating yourself to something you’ve always wanted to do. Life is too short to not be kind to yourself after a busy year.

Find your escape – We all need a little break from our everyday lives. It might mean planning a day away, having some time to discover a new town or city. Or spending the afternoon with friends at a spa or at a favorite restaurant. We can also create everyday escape in our lives – like through reading a good book or getting so focused and passionate during a cooking day or a morning of gardening.

Find inspiration – Summer is a time to slow down and to think about what you want and need before jumping back into the busy hectic time of fall with projects and deadlines. Find inspiration around you – whether it be websites, people, art, and think about how you can use these. Maybe you find a website with positive affirmations and this becomes your mantra, some of which you print and post at your office for some positive quotes to keep you positive. Maybe you think of someone who inspires you and you talk to them about what their life is like, what they do to find inspiration. We all need inspiration sometimes and it can shift something in us and lead to amazing things.

Make your own ice cream or popsicles – There is nothing like homemade ice cream, whether it’s dairy-based or a delicious dairy-free version. Popsicles are just as good!

Do something you’ve always wanted to do but were too scared to try – This summer, I’m going zip lining. I’m stepping out of my comfort zone. Sure, I’ve always loved the rush you get from a roller coaster ride and never got too scared from them, but there’s something about not sitting in a vehicle, being attached to a rope without nothing to support you underneath, that terrifies me. You only live once. I’m inspired by some of my friends who have jumped out of a plane – I’m nowhere near ready for that one.

Watch the sunset – It’s surprising that I can’t even remember the last time I watched the sunset. Once a year my partner’s aunt and uncle invite us to their family cottage for a weekend with family. This is where I last remember watching the sunset, and I definitely will again this year, but I plan to make it happen sooner.

Have an outdoor picnic – Picnics are awesome. You don’t need to have kids to grab a blanket, pack a light lunch and go with a new date or a friend for a little outdoor eating adventure.

Reconnect with an old friend – Time really slips by us without us noticing. As well intentioned as we might be to stay connected to the people in our lives, we sometimes lose touch. It doesn’t need to stay that way, even if it has been many years since you reached out. It just takes one person to make the first move.