Mid-Atlantic summer starts on Memorial Day.
I don’t make the rules, but I do like to follow them when they make sense, and around here (and pretty much anywhere on the US east coast south of NY state) days get obviously longer and temperatures get blatantly hotter throughout May. By the end of the month, it’s undoubtedly summer.
So I’m thinking summer thoughts.
I’m remembering the things I loved about summers as a kid.
Forgetting my “job” of school (and later university, even when I picked up summer jobs… they were impermanent by design).
Being surprised by new opportunities to play.
Getting bored and getting creative.
Going outside. All. The. Time.
Biking, swimming, moving.
Learning new things, going to camp (which was never overnight for me and almost always some form of art-making, even if it was just bedazzled pine cones and upcycled trash bag furniture.
Returning to my “job” golden from the sun, full of optimism and having mostly forgotten what I did.
Last year late summer felt a little like that, in retrospect. It was hard to see at the time through the anxiety-tinted lens of being unemployed for the first time in my adult life. Being forcibly unemployed sucks, and I was NOT prepared… but I did give myself more care than I had in years. So I’ve been wondering what’s possible this year, without the (same) anxiety (self-employment comes with its own worries, but I’m doing alright) and with control of my time.
Can I send myself to summer camp? I’d love to learn and make things like I did as a kid.
Can I be open, and make impromptu plans with friends? That seems like a way to feel more connected to people, and to support each other.
Can I get outside and move around every day? My hair will go blond no matter what, but could I also start the “school year” feeling fresh and strong?
Can I do little enough some days that I’m moved to creativity and spontaneous making? That happened a bit in last year’s sabbatical – that’s probably what set off my craving for more summery summers.
Can I relax about work, or at least do a bit less of it? I have client work I’m really excited about, but if I don’t go after loads more work I can keep my schedule happily part time through the summer.
I’m going to try this.
