We are loving entire days in the sun and exploring the rocks, trees, and bugs around our home. It’s so easy for long summer days to blend together and lose track of what could be a really meaningful time of memory making and expansion. Try these 5 tips for creating an intentional summer.
Yes, it’s about creating an intentional summer – not just finding or stumbling across it. The key with an intentional summer is that it has to be created intentionally. With all intentional living, this is what it’s all about. Intentional living is about consciously choosing to live the life you want to live. Intentional living doesn’t wait for life to just happen.
Creating an intentional Summer – tip #1
Find your intention.
This might sound silly or too forced, but if you want to end up somewhere, you first have to find it on the map! Spend some time pondering what you want from this summer. More than just “having fun”- decide your family and individual values and goals for the summer. The abundance and growth of summer can be a reflection of patterns within ourselves. What seeds have you already started planting in your life and what do you want to continue to plant? What do you want to see grow into fruition this summer?
Here are some of my family intentions for the next few months.
Exploration, learning, discovery.
Connection with each other, with older relatives, and with the earth.
Creating an intentional Summer – tip #2
Make a summer “bucket list”
It can be bigger events like a family trip, or something as simple as take a walk. Try to think about what your intentions are, what you’re trying to “grow” within yourself and your family, and be open to the possibilities that can bring you there.
Creating an intentional Summer – tip #3
Make concrete plans.
It’s so easy for the summer to fill itself up and before you know it this beautiful season is spent.
Host a family meeting and take time to write things down on the calendar. Maybe you don’t think you need to plan a date for the trip to the zoo or the family hike, but odds are many things will slip out of reach if you don’t intentionally plan for them! So take a minute, write down those things that are important to you so you can make sure they happen.
Creating an intentional Summer – tip #4
Adopt daily rhythms.
I remember most days of summer vacations as a teenager. I would sleep in a bit, sit around doing who knows what, then by 2 or 3 in the afternoon wonder where the day had gone.
Creating an intentional summer even on the “nothing” days requires some rhythm.
This might look different for every family, depending on your circumstance, ages, number of kids, etc. But find a rhythm that suits you. Stick to it, but allow some flexibility as well.
Creating an intentional Summer – tip #5
Slow down.
Some of the best moments happen when we’re not doing anything. This doesn’t mean sitting around all day on technology. It means actually making space for those moments. Unplug from screens, allow space for conversations and a little boredom. You might be amazed with the creativity and inspiration you and your family find in the stillness!
I love this article on what can arise from creating space.
What is your intention for this summer? I would love to hear in the comments below!
Looking for ideas for more ideas this summer? Here are some favorite summer recipes and things we have done during previous summers!
