5 Ways to Protect Your Summer Self-Care
Summertime! Hello Gorgeous.
Plot twist—summer months have always proven difficult for me because I’m a gal who LOVES structure. Lame as it may sound, summer breaks as a kid were always a bit scary because, well, what does one do with a distaste for camping, forced summer reading, and the frizzy hair inducing humidity of the deep south in July?
Fast forward a few decades and some change and, even as a working mom, summer months can be tricky because the structure and ritual characteristic of other seasons are compromised. School’s out, childcare is sparse, travel ramps up, backyard bbq’s abound, and my highly-sensitive self needs some guardrails.
It might be my dominant Enneagram 4. It might also be that some seasons, self-care is easier than others. I think it’s a both/and situation.
So, I thought it might be helpful to share five ways to protect your summer self-care. (Real quick so as to give you back some time to live your best life.)
Be realistic. Said someone wise, “expectations are the thief of joy.” Adjust your expectations for self-care so as to make room for more joy! It will only fan the flame of motivation and desire on the flip side.
Work with what you’ve got. No matter where you are and what your schedule is, there are always opportunities to plug into self-care. Just because your typical routine might not be available, seeking out alternative routes to move, rest, nourish, and play will only support a more balanced, restorative experience.
Self-compassion is a verb. I’m a big believer that when all else fails, our self-care MVP is self-compassion. Treating yourself as you would a dear friend—speaking to yourself with kindness—is the foundation of all other self-care. When schedules fill up and life gets wonky, the last thing you need is self-discipline…it’s self-compassion.
Choose connection over perfection. As I write this it is 9pm on a late June evening. I can still hear my toddler's footsteps pouncing playfully upstairs. I want to cringe, but I also know that whereas structure and schedules are important, flexibility is as well. Give yourself extra time and space to connect with the people who matter when the opportunity presents.
Practice play. The moment we stop playing, we start aging. Summertime often presents us an invitation to flex this muscle in a special way. Take it. As I’ve learned all too well post cancer diagnosis and treatment, life is all about finding moments of joy and presence. They are extravagant gifts strewn everywhere along the way, just like freckles on a sun-drenched face. Let’s get out there!