WANT TO SAVOUR THE SUMMER?
It's that beautiful time of year that we fantasise about all year long. Yet when it comes, it can throw us too…
Winter Dreams vs. Summer Reality
In the cold winter months, especially January, we really start to imagine the kind of year we'd love to have.
We start to think about the experiences that we'd love to savour.
The places we want to go, the holidays we want to have. The body we want to get fit and strong. And we set intentions and resolutions.
And then. We hit summer, and all too quick we find ourselves at the end of June and the summer solstice.
While it's wonderful that it's summer, we're also often stuck looking out the window, thinking, "Let me at it!"
Maybe we're working too hard, or we haven't got the balance right.
Or we're thinking, "I'll just get this project done, or I'll just get this last thing done, or I'll just get the washing hung out..."
And the risk is, we could keep waiting - for summer, for the lotto win, for the holiday.
But actually, summer is happening right here, right now.
Summer Doesn't Pause Life
And while we've fantasised about summer, the reality is summer can be hard!
When the sun’s shining, we still have to work. We still have to look after the kids. We still have to finish the workload, the assignment. We still have to get things done.
Sometimes it’s hard - dealing with school holidays, the heat, the pressure of planning and affording that dream trip.
The Mid-Year Moment
But what really happens at this time of year is: All of a sudden, we realise that summer - and the year - is halfway through.
This is the point when I just want to slow it all down and start to really, really enjoy this moment.
I want to put everything on slow mo, and just take in the end of June, July and August.
But what's also great about this time of year is that it’s a catalyst. It’s a reminder, a prompt, a spark. It tells us the time is now.
It tells us:
Stop waiting for the perfect moment.
Just get outside.
Or go online and book that trip.
Or say yes to that thing.
Even if it feels hard or complicated, you want it, and it's possible!
The Time Is Now
That’s what I’m here to tell you. To encourage you. To cheer you on. To be a catalyst, a springboard.
Everything you’d like to have this year is in your reach. The time is now. And success? It’s not about big leaps. It’s about small wins.
START SMALL
No matter what it is you want to do…
Choose One Thing
Maybe you’ve been fantasising about getting in the sea and having a dip.
Maybe you want to feel good in your body.
Maybe you want that trip.
Maybe you want to explore something new.
You can start that right here, right now. Pick one thing. Commit to something that’ll help you.
Build It Into Your Routine
Work that new activity or action onto a habit you already have.
Like:
Putting the kettle on for your coffee in the morning.
Going for your evening walk.
Or…
Invite Someone Along
If it’s something new, ask someone to be your buddy. Sometimes it’s easier to start things with company. And once you’ve started? You may not need company to keep going.
The Power of Minimum Commitment
And here’s the other reminder… What’s the Minimum You Can Commit To?
What if just five minutes of the thing you really want to do was possible? Could you do that? Could you make that happen?
Choose the minimum viable time and commit to that.
So, What Do You Really Want?
What’s that one thing that will be the beginning of something good?
Say It Out Loud
If it would help, and it will help, tell someone what you're going to do.
I dare you to say it out loud. I dare you to make it happen.
Tell them what you did.
Tell them what difference it made.
Tell them how it made you feel.
Because courage and action are contagious. And by doing this, you’re helping them, me - and all of us - move forward.
So go for it.
Just do it.
