3 Most Important Things You Can Do to Keep It Simple This Summer (It’s Not Too Late!)

When you were a kid, summertime meant fun and freedom:

Freedom from schoolwork and getting up early.Freedom to play outside all day with your friends.Freedom to go to new places and enjoy family vacations.

As an adult, are you due for some of the same feelings of freedom this summer?

Freedom from too many obligations, with more time to travel and explore.Freedom from long hours at work, with more time to play with family and friends.Freedom from always being “on” and more time to just relax at the beach, at the pool, or at home. Just relax!

How’s that going for you?

Summer’s half is over. Are you still in work mode, trying to do it all? Are you taking time away from your never-ending to-do list to give yourself the freedom to relax, have fun, and truly enjoy a simpler schedule this summer?

If not, it’s not too late to simplify your summer.

Here are the 3 things you can do right now to ensure a summer you will remember… Just like when you were a kid.Start with the End in Mind

Define what a simpler summer looks like for you, one that will help you accomplish your desired outcome. A few examples of what a simpler summer can look like:

You want to feel relaxed, recharged, and fully rejuvenated by the end of the summer.You want to spend more quality time with your family before they grow up and move out of your home.You want to play more, putting more fun back into your life.

Each of our desired outcomes will be unique to you, what you envision as the perfect simpler summer.

Choose One Word That Will Be Your Primary Focus for the Rest of the Summer

The benefit of having one word to focus on is that when you repeat it over and over again, it will instantly help you regain clarity the minute you start to be pulled off course.

Mindful practice, used by minimalists, helps you stay focused and makes decision-making simpler.

Ideas for your keyword this summer season: rest, play, renewal, family, explore, knowledge, travel, experiences.

Activate Your One Word to Simplify Your Summer

In other words, start now. Right now.

A. You want more rest?

Establish a quiet morning routine that centers you, relaxes you, and helps you focus on what’s most important to you.Time block your day. Plan for downtime, your time, and don’t let anything else get in the way of this priceless time to rest.Detoxify and reduce your use of technology. Don’t let your digital devices, computer, and phone take time away from getting proper rest and relaxation.

B. Do you want more quality time with family?

Spend time around your kitchen table. Eat meals together, engage in conversation, and prepare meals together.Take turns planning fun activities.Play board games together after dinner.Schedule movie nights.

C. Do you want to play more and put fun back into your life?

Make a list of things you used to love doing, but don’t do anymore. Then do them (e.g., play golf, tennis, swim, hike, ride your bike).Be a kid again with your kids and grandkids (e.g., have water balloon fights or squirt gun fights, go fishing, boating, hiking).Take advantage of local summer festivals and carnivals.Take up a new hobby you’ve always wanted to try (e.g., cooking, painting, gardening).

Bottom Line: Think of summertime as if you were a kid again, with your primary focus being to have fun and be with friends.

As adults, there is no reason you can’t create a summer you’ll always remember. Just keep it simple. Stay focused on your one word.

What’s your one word this summer? Mine is FUN!

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