Summer Scaries

Ah Memorial Day. The start of the magical season. Weekends by the pool, tiny tank tops, rooftop rose with friends. MAGICAL. There are only a few little problems. All your friends always seem to be busy, your body has never worn anything described as “tiny”, and the only person you know with a pool is your Aunt Jody who relentlessly asks about your relationship status. So while the whole world seems to be on extended vacation, you’re thinking of creative ways not to sound lame on Monday morning at work. Sound familiar?

Summer can be great, but it can also shine a spotlight on lots of things that stir jealousy and feelings of underachievement. Great bodies, second homes, family barbecues   romantic partners, and friendships are splattered all over Instagram, making it seem like you’re the only one still going to work and struggling for legitimate weekend plans. So, what can you do to get the most of this season and keep those feelings in check? Read on.

1. Create a Personal Mission for the Season

Here in the Northeast Summer spans about three months, which just happens to be the perfect amount of time to commit to a new goal. Getting into a fitness routine, learning a new skill, or exploring career options can all get well underway in that amount of time. This might not be as fun as sipping mojitos poolside in the Hamptons, however it WILL give you something to discuss when people ask what you’re up to and as an added bonus, you’ll feel quite accomplished come September.

2. Plan at Least One Thing to Look Forward To

Large or small, this will help alleviate the feeling of having the exact same existence every darn day. Shoot for a couple things each month if possible. Try cooking classes, sailing lessons, a visit to see a friend in another state, or plan a solo trip for the Fall. Looking forward will remind you why you’re working so hard and also keep you in touch with the good stuff life has to offer. Life is pretty cool, but our own bubble can get crazy boring. Look for things to shift you a bit and get you out of your ordinary.

3. Remember No One’s Life Is Perfect

While making yourself feel better by poking holes in someone else’s Instagram happiness can feel like a low blow, it’s sometimes a necessary step to keep one foot in reality. Anything that looks perfect isn’t and most of us are on a more equal playing field than you think. Some get lucky in certain areas, while others in less visible ones. If you need to, take a social media break and recenter on YOU. 

A little planning ahead and making sure your mind is in a good spot can go a long way toward having the next few months be really great. At minimum, get some sunshine, get some rest, and get some things done. You’ll feel so much better come Fall. And as always, if you enjoyed this article, please pass it along and leave me a comment below!