Hello and happy Sunday!
Another Sunday, and another summer post.
This week, I’m sharing some things I do for “self-care” in the summer.
Here they are:
1. Quiet Time
My biggest form of self-care all year long is my quiet time in the morning. Unless we have something going on, I probably get more quiet time in the summer because my kids really know how to sleep in.
Now, my coffee time is sometimes on our front porch our back patio; it’s nice to change up the routine.
2. Bedtime/Sleep/Nap
While I don’t tend to stay up super late in the summer, I might stay up until 11:00 instead of 10:00 like during the school year. That being said, I love just going to bed at 10 knowing I don’t have to set an alarm.
That means, that sleeping in (or at least not setting an alarm) is another form of self-care for me.
Also, to me, there’s nothing better than an afternoon nap in the summer!
3. Read
While I make a Summer Reading List, it’s just a guide. It’s ok if I don’t read all of the books, and of course, I will read books not on the list too. It’s just nice to have a bit more time to read, especially when we are on vacation.
4. TV time
That being said, I tend to have more time to watch TV in the summer, so I will get caught up on shows that I’ve fallen behind on or watch series that I haven’t had time to watch during the school year.
This week, I started Under the Bridge on Hulu, and I only have a couple of episodes left.
I also want to finish watching episodes of some of my favorite series like The Rookie and NCIS Hawaii (which got cancelled) 
5. Workout
I am pretty consistent with my workouts, and I think it’s important to keep up my workouts in the summer. Honestly, sometimes it’s easier for me to workout during the school year because of having more structure/routine.
I still love my Bodi workouts in my basement, but in the summer, I might go to the gym to use the elliptical, take a class, or go for a walk. Since I usually have more than 30 minutes to spare, I have time to change up my routine.
My goal in the summer is to workout five days a week.
6. Pool time
I still enjoy going to the pool even though my kids don’t need me like they used to. When they were younger, we used to go for three to four hours, and now they stay at the pool if I want to go after a couple of hours.
I enjoy reading, working on my tan, and chatting with my mom friends.
We also like to go to the pool in the evenings when we can. Again, we’ll see friends, have a drink, and enjoy dinner at the pool.
7. Be productive
Now, I don’t get too carried away with productivity…haha…but…I do use the summer to do things that I slack on during the school year. I typically make a list of things I want to accomplish in the summer and chip away at them week by week. The list is usually organizing and cleaning out areas like my closet, the basement, our office cabinet and more. Also, I don’t want to work on school during the summer, but I do find that it’s easier and less overwhelming for me to start the school year when I’ve chipped away at some school tasks in the summer.
8. Not cooking
It’s nice to mentally and physically take a break from the grind of the school year which does include meal planning, meal prepping, grocery shopping and more.
I love when a few hours at the pool turns to dinner at the pool and just hanging out with no definite plans. I love impromptu plans when neighbors get together for a casual patio dinner or dinner out.
Our pool has a great covered patio, and it’s nice to hang out there while the kids play volleyball, swim, and socialize.
9. Get a pedicure
I still don’t get pedis as often as I’d like to, but it’s such a treat when I do!
10. Go with the flow
I feel like during the school year every hour is accounted for, so in the summer, it’s nice to relax our schedule a bit more.
Honestly, we’re still busy, but it’s obviously less than during the school year.
Even our dinners are more relaxed. I do like when we all eat together, but if they kids are out with friends, they can have leftovers when they get home. If I planned on coming home from the pool at 4, but stay until 7:00, that’s ok.
Sometimes, we stretch leftovers to a third day, and I don’t have to cook.
Shew – I might even go wild and not pick up my Kroger order on the weekend. Isn’t that what Mondays are for?
My “type A” personality almost needs permission to chill, and summer is the time to do that.
What does self-care look like for you in the summer?
