Will Summer Ever End?

 I know- it is 82 degrees out as I sit here writing about fall and back to school and finally being able to focus…but instead I took a walk over lunch and am heading out to have happy hour on a patio…again! 

School did start. The nights are longer and cooler. The colors are starting to turn. And I am back to work- I even posted my fall workshop schedule. (20% off with code FIRSTCLASS)

I played hard this summer. Lots of family time. My vitamin D levels are high. I went camping 4 times. Hiked every week. Lots of socializing on patios. 

The change of seasons is always a great time for reflection. Each September I use a Google doc connected to my calendar and journal what worked and what didn’t work this summer. Did I have too much free time or not enough? Did the kids have too much structure or not enough? Did we get the vacation, the time with friends, the outdoor time that I wanted us to get? Were we rushed at the beginning of back to school or ready to go? 

Now that we have some structure in place, what is it time to focus on? Pick one baby step and take on cleaning up one part of your life. 

Are mornings a disaster? Every single day? Should you be getting up earlier, getting more sleep, planning more the night before? Mornings happen every day. Wouldn’t it be nice if they were smooth? 

Are you eating right? Do you anticipate the fact that you need 3 meals a day, every single day? Meal planning? Shopping differently? Less crap in the house? What would make it easier for you to eat the way you should? 

Get rid of clutter.

Decrease impulse spending/consuming. 

Honor the relationships that matter most to you with more time. 

Find a babysitter so that date nights happen regularly.

Get involved in your community. Broaden your circle. Get to know your neighbors. 

Pick one thing because there are so many things and picking all of them is the same as picking none. Your kids are dealing with all they have to deal with at school. Show them the benefit of a growth mindset. Set a goal worthy of your attention and then work on it- fall, get up, try again. 

What’s next for me? 

Michele and I attended Transformative Family Mediation training in June and are in love with this method of supporting families through big transitions. Transformative Mediation fits nicely with the attachment focused work we do. It really allows families to self determine supportive choices.  (http://www.transformativemediation.org ) We have a bit of planning to do but should be offering new services soon. 

I put this here because I want to spend September on a patio drinking beer but that’s not what I am up to in the world. Ok…well I am up to that but more…so much more! 

Happy late summer!