This summer has been strange. As the COVID-19 pandemic rages in the United States and still isn’t fully under control in other parts of the world that have seen progress, most people have had to adjust their summer plans. Cancellations and postponements. Anxiety, disappointment, and sadness. So many emotions associated with this summer for most of us. I have heard the phrase ‘summer is cancelled’ multiple times.
In some respects, it is true. If you have to cancel your dream vacation, if you can barely leave the house, if you are sick or caring for a sick loved one, if you have lost a loved one, if you cannot find or are afraid to look for care for your children, this summer is hard. Very hard. You have all the reasons to feel low, to feel cheated, to be disappointed. You have a reason to feel like this summer has been cancelled. I have had my share of lows this summer. Mood swings, tears for no apparent reason, low days, lack of motivation, burnout, all of these have been there, more frequently than ever and often arriving totally unexpectedly and randomly.
And yet, I am unwilling to accept the phrase ‘summer is cancelled.’ It feels so defeatist and I just cannot accept that level of low. Perhaps I am stubborn. Perhaps I am too optimistic. But as you have seen me write about in my other posts, I believe strongly that there is so much power in your attitude and how you frame things. Yes, it is hard to reframe a life in a pandemic and yes, it is possible and needs to be done. Let me ask you – what would you rather do – feel depressed, low, miserable, and sorry for yourself or would you rather get up and try to make at least something good out of this? I am sure that the vast majority of people would fall into the latter category. And for those, I have a few things to consider.
But before I do, let me address one question you are probably wondering about – why am I writing about this at the end of the summer? Too late to the game? Maybe. But again, in my mind, there is still a lot of summer left. In many parts of the United States, September is one of the best months to enjoy the summer. It’s cooler, so you can actually step outside during the day without being covered in sweat, prices might be lower, and the days are still long to make the most of them. And if you feel you have not gotten out of this summer what you wanted, this might help reframe your thinking for the time that is left in this season.
So, here are a few thoughts for those who still want to get up and enjoy what they can:
- Is there a way you can do your summer activity in a modified way? Maybe you get a little creative and make it happen with some adjustments? For example, you like to go to the beach and enjoy the boardwalk hustle and bustle. Well, that is not a good idea right now, but can you find a quiet, less frequented beach, further from the usual centers of action where your local restrictions allow you to go and still have some of that beach time?
- Are there activities you have been thinking about trying, but haven’t really acted on? Maybe it is time to try those. Did you want to try some gardening or planting outdoor or indoor plants? It’s a great hobby to explore right now while the days are still warm and you can play around with your plants in your backyard or your balcony, keeping a good social distance from humans. Did you want to improve your steps per day? You can create a new walking routine if you are a little creative with your times and places, especially as the hot summer temperatures drop. And you know what? Sometimes when you develop a habit under constraints, it will stick more because you had to overcome that adversity.
- Do you have those long over due projects that are bugging you in your mind, yet you keep procrastinating and not getting them done? Tackle one or two. Be creative in how you do it. I have a lot of personal paperwork to sort out and file properly. I was just thinking that perhaps I should take a blanket, some picnic snacks, and take my box with papers to be sorted to a local park and tackle this with some nature around. Might finally get it done…
- Do you like to travel and can’t? Think about local sights, points of interest, and historical landmarks that you can safely and easily visit. So often we focus on those big overseas trips and do not know our own backyards. Do you know the history of your area? Have you explored the less known parts? I am pretty sure there are many less frequented sights that are at your fingertips and can be visited safely and easily and it will make you be more in touch with your immediate locale.
- Is there a project you wanted to start and haven’t gotten around it? Perhaps a remodel in your house, or sharing photos from your vacations with your family, or reading a series from a new author, or taking that course for a new career path? Imagine if you look back at this summer and say, well, it was weird and I did not get to do what I had planned, but man, I did this big project that transformed my life. It ended up being one of the best summers in the end.
All in all, I am sure there are many things we still can do and feel that this summer was good and worth it. But it is up to us to determine how we want to see it. It is up to us to determine what we want to make of it. I am NOT encouraging anyone to go about their summer as if there was no COVID, definitely NOT! What I am trying to say is that if you really think about it and truly consider all your interests and options, you may be surprised what you find. Identifying and pursuing some of these options will give you a tremendous mental boost and it will have a positive ripple effect on other areas in your life.
So, take a moment to think about your view, your attitude, and your own ways to make the most of this weird summer.
