Summer musings - making time for joy!
I love this time of the year. I make no secret of it. I love the amount of daylight we get and the warmth. Even a wet British summer can’t dampen my spirits.
In early June I shared my list of the things I wanted to make sure that I prioritised during summer. Not work or big life goals, the little things that make me happy.
Eat as many meals as possible in the garden
Posies of cut flowers from my garden
Finish my garden revamp
Enjoy rediscovering my summer wardrobe
As many beach walks as possible
Watch the sun set over the sea
Draw outside
See friends in real life!
Spend time with family indoors and finally hug!
I’ve ticked most of these things off and I’m really enjoying my garden revamp now as we’ve got to the good bit – choosing and planting new plants. I now have a passion flower, lavender, dianthus, geraniums, lots of fuchsia, astrantia and there are lots of plants on order to be delivered in September. I will once again have a lovely cottage style garden.
I’ve also started running regularly again. It was on my spring list and I just didn’t do it but I started again in early June and I’m loving it. It’s done so much for my mental health, never mind my physical health.
At the moment it still feels like it’s tricky to plan things. There are still things that aren’t quite within our control thanks to covid but while this can be frustrating I’m quite enjoying choosing to be more laid back than I normally am (read not laid back at all and usually planning everything!!!) and going with the flow a bit more.
In June when I wrote about what I wanted from my summer I called it “Are you making time for the things that bring you joy?” I want you to ask yourself the same question today. And if you aren’t what small action could you take to ensure that every day you do something that brings you joy? That makes you appreciate life.
Remember to steer clear of all or nothing thinking. Too often we tell ourselves we need a whole day or half day for something to be worthwhile but as one friend shared with me recently, she’s started reading for 15 minutes with her morning coffee rather than checking her emails and it has brought her so much joy and got her day off to a much better start. She feels like she has prioritised herself for a few minutes and it makes such a difference to her happiness levels.
What could you do to bring more joy into your daily life right now? I’m going to make sure that I get outside as often as possible and go with the flow a little more! I’d love to hear what you’re going to do.
