It’s officially summertime! 

The only song I ever hear when someone says summertime….

Drums please, summer, summer, summertime…

Haha you have to be a certain age to hear it and yes, I know I’m dating myself but it’s an awesome thing to get older! If you don’t know the song look up the video and you will see a glimpse of my childhood!

 DJ JAZZY JEFF & THE FRESH PRINCE, HEY!!!

In the south summer break from school starts before Memorial Day, and in May it really starts to heat up. However, growing up in the north, we were in school in June, so mid-June still feels like the “real” beginning of summer. I look back on childhood summers, and I remember the freedom from school and structure and the hot weather that I have always loved. Spending hours outside walking and riding bikes with friends was the best past time. Of course, there was always a family reunion or visits to see aunts, uncles, and cousins who lived out of town. The many, many road trips cramped in my mom’s Chevette with our bikes tied to the top or back of the car, whichever worked at the time, are probably the reason for my current disdain for road trips. Please Google images of Chevette's so you can understand our pain.

As I got older, road trips included my friends with my family in my father’s conversion van. We thought we were something with all that room and we were able to watch movies on the VCR. You couldn’t tell us NOTHING. We had snacks for days. One trip was 12 hours from Ohio to Atlanta, and it was my first time at the Underground. Now, let's book a plane ticket and get there.

My affinity for ice cream was born in childhood. There were many trips to Dairy Queen and the corner store for ice cream and snacks. My grandmother always had a banana split and there was always ice cream at my grandparents’ house. The fruit I associated with summer was watermelon. There always seemed to be sweet, fresh watermelon available. As teenagers, we went to festivals and amusement parks. I loved the freedom of roaming around the familiar streets at festivals and riding all the rollercoasters and thrill-seeking rides at Cedar Point and Geauga Lake. We had some awesome parties in Mill Creek Park and at the Miami Pavilion dancing the night away. Remember I told ya'll I have always loved to dance. Dancing is a big part of all my memories. We spent many nights at talent shows watching dancers compete and show off. There were the occasional beach and pool visits but that wasn’t what made summer so special; it really was about seeing family and the freedom. Ohhhh, I almost forgot about all the grilling…the smell of charcoal and lighter fluid and the heat from the huge flames. I still love to throw a million things on the grill.

As an adult, summer doesn’t have the same feeling. Now don’t get me wrong, with a child in school, I do look forward to the summer. It signifies the beginning of less structured time and more flexibility. Living in the south we have a lot more warmer days than the north, so it’s not so much about the warmer weather, and now I indulge in ice cream all year round. Summer remains a time of slowing down and having more relaxing time. Although I work year-round, I spend more time outside walking in my neighborhood, sitting on my porch, and I have more time to spend with my kiddo. Stress levels are down, because I’m not managing school time, bedtime, homework, and afterschool activities. This really makes my summer workdays feel lighter.

I challenge you to slow down and reflect on your experiences during summer. Were they positive or negative experiences? If they were positive, how can you start to recreate some of the moments to enjoy as an adult? I’m not out here riding a bike or going to every festival possible, but I am enjoying the warm sun and hot weather while walking and sitting on my porch. Unfortunately, no more big family reunions, but definitely slowing down to take family vacation, visit family, and being intentional about spending just a little more time with family. If you don’t have fond memories of summer, you can’t change the past, but you can be intentional about the present and future. How can you change the narrative about summer?    

Maybe you reserve the summer to engage in specific activities that you truly enjoy, maybe a vacation, or you slow your workload down in the summer. Whatever you can do to change the narrative, please do it. It’s important to have things to look forward to and the summer is a perfect time to start. Create a new narrative and memories for summer.

I know everyone does not love summer, but some people's moods improve during the summer. There are many factors that can influence mood in a positive manner. 

Here are a few listed below:

1. Increased sunlight, warmer weather, and more time spent outside of the home

2. Less stress and pressure from heavy workloads and responsibilities of college coursework and managing children’s school schedules

3. More out of the ordinary positive experiences, such as vacations and summer hobbies

4. Improved relationships due to spending more time together in enjoyable activities

5. Expanded options for fresh produce, which can lead to healthier food choices

How does summer impact your mood?

If you are one who would like to skip the summer think about how you can improve your experience. I know people who “find” reasons to stay in the house more during the summer. For some, summer is for reading and they spend time in their air-conditioned home reading a copious number of books. What would be a pleasurable way to spend time in the summer? Some people need structure, and the thought of no routine is stressful. I get it, by late July, I will be ready for the structure and routine of another school year. You don’t have to have less structure or spend hours outdoors. Maybe summertime is when you plan your fall or winter vacation, have late night movies nights, or try out summer recipes and have indoor dinner parties or solo taste testing of new recipes. Everyone is different and I’m encouraging everyone to find a way to enjoy the current season. We miss so much when our focus is continuously on the future. Find enjoyment in the right now in the way that means the most to you. I know it might be hard to imagine enjoying the summer or to create pleasant memories but remember We Can Do Hard Things! Let’s not waste the time we have right now to enjoy by waiting until what’s next. Be intentional and have some fun! Yes, adults with enormous responsibilities need to take time to have fun. Prioritize fun. And remember everyone's fun looks different.

WHY HAVE FUN?

1. It can improve mood

2. It can reduce stress which has positive benefits on physical health

3. It creates memories. We can all benefit from a positive memory when life is not going the way we want or it’s just a bad day

4. Fun with people helps cultivate relationships. WE ALL NEED PEOPLE!

5. It gives us something to look forward

6. YOU DESERVE IT! Everyone needs a break

I would love to hear from ya'll. Please go to the Contact Tab and let me know how you plan to have fun this summer. Maybe ya'll will give me some new ideas. 

My baby girl wanted me to write a blog for Memorial Day and about summer. She loves holidays and celebrating. Memorial Day is the true beginning of her summer, but it just didn’t feel right until now. Thank you, my Love Bug for the suggestion and motivation, loving you always!

Until next time, Take Care, Darsha D!