I like the idea of summer. It really does feel like a new beginning. Or at least a chance to catch my breath.
Even though I’m not in school anymore, I’ve been anticipating the shift into this new season.
Yeah there may still be work to do (and troubles to deal with) but I’ve been looking forward to longer days, sunnier days…days that somehow seem open for MORE.
Well, more of the things that seem to allow you the space to breathe.
Our days can be packed with obligation. Too many times I’ve ended a day staring up at the high bar of expectation feeling like I just missed it. Again.
There’s a lot of noise when it comes to the definition of success. Not only with work, but health, relationships, and life in general.
Not enough. Do more.
But there’s something about summer that leaves room for the good kind of more.
More color, more fun, more daylight, more possibility.
More space to be you.
What do you love about summer?
🙂
Check out super cool writer, Emily R. King! Emily lives on an island in the Pacific Northwest–and she’s been shark cage diving!
**If you enjoyed this post, you can subscribe to receive my new posts straight to your inbox. Just add your email in the space at the top of the right sidebar under my photo.
Coleen Patrick 
I love summer! It’s a time to rest, relax, read, and restore after a year of teaching kids. It’s a time to enjoy the warmth of the sun, cook outdoors, and enjoy the world around me. Summer is a special time. Summertime goes to quickly.
LikeLike
Restore! That’s a good word to describe what a day spent in flip flops can do for me. Hope your summer is a great one!
LikeLike
I LOVE summer and hope i can get back to the US for a bit of SUN as it is still in the low fifties, cold and rainy here!
LikeLike
The sun is waiting for you Joanna!! 🙂
LikeLike
I love spring and summer. I can open doors and windows and allow the air to flow through the house. I love warm weather. I want to enjoy every day. I like relaxing, reading and eating all the fresh fruit and vegetables. And, this summer we have a granddaughter getting married in late August. Have a wonderful summer Coleen.
LikeLike
All the above and a wedding! That sounds SO smile inducing. Hope you have a fantastic time!!
LikeLike
Summer is a reason to take off work early, ride the Harley, or drive with the windows down. Love it!
LikeLike
Riding the Harley! That sounds like FUN.
LikeLike
Love summer time but hate the oppressive heat and humidity. That being said it’s a great time to enjoy weekend BBQ’s, jumping in the pool, and taking long three day weekend getaways to the shore. I do love all the outdoor things to do here in the NYC area too!
LikeLike
Yeah, the humidity sucks! Then again, humidity can be an excuse for being too sapped to do anything other than relaxing. 🙂
LikeLike
what I love most is the ability to take a trip bac k in time and daydream about the joys of a misspent youth. When I’m caught I cop to doing “research” on a story. So far it’s worked.
LikeLike
I like daydreaming too. I’m going to use your research excuse next time. 🙂
LikeLike
Oh, Coleen … great minds …
I almost blogged about summer today.
I almost used several of the quotes you used …
Ah, summertime …
I love the “Every summer has a story” photo …
Thanks for talking “summer” today.
LikeLike
It’s telepathic blogging. Next week you’ll blog about what’s on my mind…:)
LikeLike
I totally agree with you, Coleen, and think were in much of the same place. I love your approach. Summer is the perfect time to let some of it go and just “BE.”In the end, it’s the best medicine for the mind and body.
LikeLike
When I read your post today about balance I felt like you were speaking directly to me!!! Yes, I think we’re in the same frame of mind. 🙂
LikeLike
Great post, Coleen. We just had the best weekend ever in the pool so I am definitely in summer mode. ;)Hope yours is a great one!
LikeLike
Thanks, Catherine! YOu too. 🙂
LikeLike
I feel just the opposite. I feel like summer is a time when everything speeds up. Because the days are longer we have even more time to cram stuff in.
For me summer means vacation or at the very least, planning my fall vacation. It also means icy adult beverages on the patio!
I love the photos and the quotes.
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt
LikeLike
Thanks, Patricia! I’m so ready for an icy adult beverage on the patio…
LikeLike
We could all use more of the “good kind of more.” As a parent, I look forward to less obligations and more time with my kiddos!
LikeLike
More time with the kiddos–especially the relaxing, fun summer stuff–is something I look forward to also! Thanks, Emily. 🙂
LikeLike
Coleen, you write the coolest posts! Really, you do! And so refreshing! Yep, I love summer. Especially since I no longer live in Phoenix, Az. No, no, no. You would not like summer there. lol. I love the expanse of the day. It holds more room for opportunity. I think even breathing is easier. And then there is summer foods. The fruits and veggies of summer. And BBQ. Yum! I so hope you and your family enjoy your summer Coleen! 🙂
LikeLike
Yes, I’ve heard about the weather in Phoenix. You are absolutely right, I wouldn’t like it!! But I do love me some bbqs! Have a great one, Karen.
LikeLike
What do I love about summer? Everything! Fresh berries, long days full of sun, the family home more, adventure, exploration, less obligation, more of doing what I want instead of what I need, the list goes on and on! Mostly, though, I love having my son home all day with me. I miss the kids when they’re out of the house.
LikeLike
“Less obligation” that’s the phrase that jumps out at me! Whether it’s true or not, I’m going with that one this summer. LOL Thanks, Tameri!
LikeLike
I love watermelon, day lilies, ceiling fans, light-filled evenings, and water. It’s hot where I live, Coleen, so summer is no longer a favorite season, but I appreciate the chance to slow down. Oh, oh, and commute times are shorter because there are no school buses on the road, meaning I get to speed up, too.
LikeLike
Spring and summer are my favorite seasons. I’m always sad when summer is ending. I love the smell of sunscreen and salty sea breezes. Love living in flip flops and jumping in a pool to cool off. (Ocean water’s too cold for me, unless it’s in a tropical climate!) Like Pat, I love watermelon, too. I could live on watermelon! So many wonderful things about summer, like Slip’N’Slides and tons of fun. I love this post, especially, “Every summer has a story.”
LikeLike
I don’t know how I missed this post! But I do think summer is the perfect time to take it easy and lay off those ‘not enough, do more’ voices. We’re all entitled to breathe, to thaw, and feel the sun on our faces. Leave winter to all that indoors introspection 😉 Anyway, I hope you’re having a great time away.
LikeLike