How To Make This Your Best Summer Yet

Summer is the best time to feel like yourself. It’s a perfect time to savor every day.

Summertime has the potential to help you:

1. Rejuvenate and reset
2. Embrace joy and laughter
3. Unleash creativity
4. Prioritize ultimate self-care

When we're having fun, we put aside the worries, the goals, the stress, the have to’s. We can look at where we’ve been and where we’re going. 

Let's start with what you want 

Sometimes, we're so busy, that we don't even know what we want and we don't take the time to figure it out.  

Ask yourself these questions:

What would make this an unforgettable summer? 

What if it was the first summer I got to ________

If I had all the free time I wanted this summer, I'd ________

The best summer I ever had was _________.

These questions can give you clues to what you're longing for and what makes you happy. 

Sit down right now and write it out. Get out your journal and dream. 

I give you full permission to dream. 

Want to go to Hawaii? To some exotic location? Do something all by yourself? Go on retreat?

Do it. 

Find a way. 

Saboteur Busting

Oh, but Jo, I don't have the time, the money, my spouse doesn't want to go...I can't leave because...I have to... 

Look the obstacles in the eye and say, “you're not going to stop me.”

This is what I call saboteur busting. 

Get in there and figure out what it is that's holding you back.

Is it the money? 

Okay, for sure. there are a million ways to find the money to do what you want.  Here's an article for some starters:

How to Travel for Cheap

Don't have the time? 

Why not? 

Are you not taking time off work because you think you'll be missed? Are you addicted to work? Examine if you get sick, who will do your job? 

Ask yourself this question:

What will I remember about the summer of 2024? 

What if you could say, "Dang, that was "the best summer ever."

Watch out for perceived obstacles:

My spouse/partner/child/friend/parent doesn't want to go. 

It may be that that person who loves you also needs you. And it could be that they can indeed exist on their own. 

We all need a break from each other.

Because when we come back together...we appreciate each other more, we're fresh, back in the game, we're rested.

Consider taking a trip all by yourself. 

 Check out my blog post on How to go on a personal retreat 

The benefits of a personal retreat are enormous: 

1) You have time to think about your life without distractions. 

2) You can mull over whether your life is going in the right direction or if you're miserable. 

3) The pandemic taught us that nothing is guaranteed. There are no promises for tomorrow. 

Live Your Best Life Now

Why not have your best life right now? 

Why would you wait? 

Find a way to make whatever you want to happen this summer. 

What I'm doing:

I'm planning my own trip away. Because I know that when I traveled and worked internationally, I became more aware of myself. I had to think on my feet, I had to problem-solve, and I had to ask strangers for help. 

I built confidence in myself and I learned to trust my gut feelings. 

And, each time I traveled by myself, I became more creative. The ideas flowed through me like a river. 

Was I scared? Absolutely. 

I just let myself feel the fear and I kept going. 

Because that's how I do it... I have to just put myself out there and say  "I'm scared and I'm doing it anyway."

Make This Your Best Summer

I challenge you right now to decide that you're going to have THE summer of fun. 

Then make a plan. 

Put it on the calendar, any special trips or parties, picnics, stay at home and plant a garden or do nothing...whatever it is you want to do, plan it...then do it. 

Because life goes way too fast to wait. 

Take it from me. I'm 74 and I'm not going to wait. 

Find a way