Summertime... and the living is difficult
If you are a parent... you know what I mean. But even if you are not, read on if you want to structure your summer to be more balanced than you have so far.
I'm a parent and summer can be incredibly tricky - as I'm writing this my nine-year-old son is asking me something about his make-believe school... now I need to quickly refocus. What was I writing about?!
The irony of it...
But this is the second year in a row that I embrace the challenge.
I work up until lunchtime, sometimes starting earlier than normal to make up some of the hours while my kids are asleep, then have lunch and spend the afternoon in activities with my kids, reading or drawing.
I am privileged in the sense that I can take time off when I want, while I'm conscious that many people can't. But for instance, a friend of mine who is an employee has agreed with her company to take a full day off a week - effectively working a four-day week throughout the summer, so that she can let her hair down a bit.
My point here is, summer can be a great time to reconnect with your passions, hobbies, the outdoors, your family, and going with the flow will allow you to enjoy some of its perks - like late sunsets and drinks in the garden. Of course, you have to plan for it and hyperfocus your attention on the days/times you are working.
But if you do, you'll find that can enjoy mini-holiday moments every day, without leaving your home. And you'll be a lot more energetic in September when things go back to normal.
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