5 Tips for Staying Sane this Summer
If you’re following along with me on Instagram, you know that my kids are off to camp and I’m about to head into a few weeks of intense book edits. Before going full book-edit hermit, I wanted to share five tips for staying sane this summer.
From parenting to running a business to managing summer expectations, I’ve been thinking a lot about how we approach the summer of 2021! We all knew this was going to be a vastly different summer than last year, but being intentional about how we spend our time and energy is really important.
Any mama knows that being home with your kids over the summer can be hectic and stressful. What camps should we sign up for? Swim lessons? Are my kids eating anything healthy? How many trips to the library did we make last month? Have the kids been in the pool ALL DAY? Another load of laundry? How am I supposed to get any work done? Summer is a beautiful time, but it’s a lot.
If you need a mid-year pep talk or are simply trying to have a happy and emotionally healthy summer, here are 5 tips for staying sane this summer!
Adjust your expectations.
This was always going to be a big summer! Take a moment to check in with your own expectations. What did you think this summer was going to look like? Is it living up to your own hype? This summer won’t be perfect but it can be great. A tip for managing expectations is to practice staying in the moment. Be grateful for the moment you are in right then and there. Whether you’re having the time of your life this summer, or are simply trying to survive a busy time with work, family and kids, stay present in the moment. This season will fly by and you don’t want to miss a thing!
Do activities that you enjoy!
When getting back into the groove of a post-2020 world, take a minute to ask yourself, what do I actually enjoy? Last year we were all forced into a monotonous, stay-at-home lifestyle. I hope you’re not rushing back to the way it used to be but truly being intentional with your family’s time and energy. We’re keeping up family game nights, enjoying time in the pool with our precious friends, and making memories. Yes, we all have responsibilities (our kids have their daily HEART checklists), but making time for those activities we truly enjoy is what the summer is all about!
Don’t over or under schedule yourself.
Goldilocks was on to something; you’ve got to find the right amount of activity for yourself and your family. With the summer of 2021, it can be easy to overschedule yourself (we can do ALL THE THINGS, what are we waiting for?) or under-schedule yourself (am I the only one that forgot how to handle myself in social settings?). I can handle about 3-5 “things” in a day — work meetings, work or personal projects, errands, or activities for the kids. Setting those boundaries is essential.
Schedule in quiet time.
When I did my monthly goals check-in last week (while setting up my new planner!) I realized I have not been great about consistent quiet time. Whether it’s reading, praying, meditating, journaling, taking a walk, or any and all of the above, quiet time is essential. When I’ve gone for a few days or weeks without quiet time, I notice it big time! I like to schedule quiet time into my morning routine, which sets my day up for success and helps me take better care of myself long-term.
Be flexible.
My husband David and I joke that “flexibility” is one of our core family values. Being able to roll with the punches is my love language. We’ve created a structure for our kids’ summer days but are staying flexible too. We’ve had to shift gears a bit this summer with homeschooling our kids and we’re finding our way through making the best decisions for our family. Take it one next right thing at a time, stay flexible with your time and energy, and know you are doing your best!
If you’re a mama looking for easy ways to keep your kids occupied this summer, check out our newest digital guidebook the 2021 Kids Activity Book! For $11, it’s filled with activities, games, coloring pages, and more.
Now, I have to ask. How are you enjoying this summer? Any best tips for staying sane that you’d like to share with the group? Comment below!
