Hows Your Summer Holidays Going? (And How to Make the Most of Whatever’s Left!)
Hey there! That question – “Hows your summer holidays going?” – is popping up everywhere right now, isn’t it? Texts from friends, chats in the grocery line, maybe even a slightly wistful sigh from your own thoughts. We launched into June with grand plans (or maybe just the glorious anticipation of no plans!), and suddenly, the calendar pages are turning faster than we expected.
So, how is it going? Honestly, wherever you are on the spectrum – from “best summer ever!” to “meh, it’s okay” to “honestly, kinda boring” – it’s all perfectly valid. Summer isn’t a competition, and there’s no single right way to do it. Maybe your grand travel adventure got swapped for lazy days at home. Perhaps the kids are bouncing off the walls already, or you’re juggling work with trying to squeeze in some sunshine. Maybe you’re exactly where you hoped to be, soaking it all in.
The beautiful thing about summer, though, is that it’s rarely “over” until it’s truly over. There’s still magic to be found, energy to be reclaimed, and moments to be cherished, no matter how many weeks are left on the calendar. Let’s ditch the pressure and talk about embracing whatever your summer looks like right now, and maybe sprinkling in a little extra joy for the homestretch.
If You’re Riding the “Relaxation Train”…
Double Down on Doing Nothing (Guilt-Free!): Seriously. If you’ve achieved that glorious state of unplugged calm, protect it! Savor that second cup of coffee on the porch, lose yourself in that novel without constantly checking the clock, take that spontaneous nap. This is productivity for your soul. Resist the urge to fill the time just because you feel you ‘should’. True rest is a rare and valuable summer commodity.
Savor the Small Sensations: Pay attention to the pure sensory delights of summer – the smell of cut grass, the warmth of the sun on your skin, the taste of a perfectly ripe peach, the sound of crickets at dusk. These small moments of mindfulness amplify the feeling of relaxation and presence.
Low-Key Local Exploration: No need for grand expeditions. Revisit a favourite local park at a different time of day, try that little ice cream shop you always drive past, or simply take a slow walk around your neighbourhood noticing things you usually miss.
If You’re Feeling Stuck in a Rut or a Bit Bored…
Inject a Single Spark: Don’t try to overhaul the whole summer. Pick one small, achievable thing that sounds vaguely interesting. It could be:
Learn a Tiny New Skill: Download a free language app and practice for 10 minutes a day (bonus: order takeout in that language!), find a quick YouTube tutorial on drawing cartoons, or learn three chords on a borrowed ukulele.
Rediscover Your Own Backyard: Be a tourist in your own town. Visit that museum or historical site you’ve never been to. Google “free events near me this weekend.” Check out a different library branch.
Start a Mini Project: Not a massive renovation! Plant some herbs in pots, organize just one shelf or drawer that bugs you, try baking a new type of cookie, or begin a simple summer scrapbook (even just collecting ticket stubs and photos on your fridge counts!).
Break the Routine, Just Once: If your days feel monotonous, deliberately break the pattern. Have breakfast for dinner. Go see a weekday matinee movie. Take a different route on your evening walk. Small disruptions can reset your perspective.
Reach Out (Seriously!): Often, boredom is loneliness in disguise. Text that friend you keep meaning to catch up with – even just for a quick coffee or a phone call. Join a casual local meetup group (hiking, board games, book club). Sometimes connection is the best antidote to the summer blahs.
If You’re Juggling Work, Kids, and Chaos…
Embrace Micro-Moments: Forget trying to find huge blocks of “summer fun.” Look for the pockets: 15 minutes of sidewalk chalk with the kids after dinner, eating lunch outside instead of at your desk, listening to a favourite summer playlist while commuting. These tiny islands of summer feeling add up.
Delegate and Simplify: Can someone else handle grocery pickup? Are there simpler meals everyone enjoys? Can you swap playdates with another parent to get a small breather? Give yourself permission to lower the housekeeping standards temporarily. Preserve your energy for what truly matters.
Schedule “Fun” (It Works!): When life is hectic, spontaneity often dies. Literally block out small chunks of time in your calendar for something enjoyable – a family bike ride Saturday morning, an hour at the pool Sunday afternoon, even just 30 minutes to read in the hammock on Tuesday evening. Treat it like an important appointment.
Focus on Connection, Not Perfection: A stressed parent trying to force a “perfect” day often backfires. Instead, focus on simple, genuine connection. A shared ice cream cone, looking for shapes in the clouds, reading a book together under a tree – these are the moments kids (and you) will remember.
For Everyone: Rekindling the Summer Spark (No Matter How Little Time is Left)
Revisit Your Summer “Hope List”: Remember those vague ideas you had back in June? Dust off that mental list. Is there one item that still sparks joy and feels semi-achievable? Maybe it’s finally having that BBQ, stargazing one night, or visiting that nearby beach for just an afternoon. Prioritize that one thing.
Celebrate the “Lasts” and the “Firsts”: As the season winds down, start noticing the “lasts” – the last corn-on-the-cob of the season, the last dip in the local pool before it closes, the last epic sunset of August. Acknowledge them. Simultaneously, late summer brings its own “firsts” – the first hint of cooler evening air, the first back-to-school sales, the first ripe blackberries. Paying attention to these seasonal markers helps us appreciate the unique flavour of late summer.
Capture It, Simply: Don’t get lost behind your phone camera, but do snap a few genuine moments – the messy picnic, the sunburned noses, the quiet morning coffee. These become anchors of memory. Even just jotting down one good thing about each day in a notebook can create a powerful record of your summer’s essence.
Practice Summer Gratitude: Take a minute each day (maybe as you sip that morning coffee or before bed) to consciously think of one specific thing you enjoyed or appreciated about that summer day. It could be as simple as the taste of fresh lemonade or the sound of laughter drifting from a nearby yard.
The Real Answer to “Hows Your Summer Holidays Going?”
However it’s going, it’s yours. It might be messy, unpredictable, quieter than expected, or louder than planned. It might be filled with adventure or defined by the deep peace of rest. There’s no report card, no final grade.
The true measure of a summer well-spent isn’t in passport stamps or checked-off bucket lists. It’s in those moments where you truly felt it – the warmth, the freedom, the connection, the sheer joy of sunshine on your skin. It’s in the memories you’re collecting, even the small, seemingly insignificant ones.
So, whether you’ve got weeks stretching ahead or just a precious few days left, give yourself permission to experience it fully, exactly as it unfolds. Squeeze the juice out of these late summer days, relish the slower pace where you can find it, connect with the people (or the peace) that fills you up, and soak in the unique, golden light that only late summer brings.
However your summer holidays have been going up to now, here’s to making the very most of the beautiful days still ahead. Go create a few more moments worth remembering. You’ve got this!
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