My #1 Tactic for Overcoming Summer Stagnation
When guest teaching in Britt Bolnick’s coaching programs about how to prevent Summer burnout, someone asked me what I specifically do to combat fatigue in the hot months. The question was especially potent since Summer is my least favorite season. It tends to be when my energy and motivation are lowest.
Fall and Winter naturally sync with my love of snuggling, sweaters, fires, hot tea, fresh air, and breezes. I feel creative and ready to meet new challenges. I come alive. Those seasons are easier for me to regulate my body temperature, whereas Summer exacerbates my internal furnace. If I’m not careful, I’ll be sunburnt and plagued by heat rashes of all kinds as well as nibbled and stung by every biting bug.
To be honest, I’m kind of an indoor person in my day to day, and Fall and Winter make that seem not so weird… and they’re also more inviting for being active outside. The Sun can be… just so… demanding. What can I say? The clouds, fog, mist, and rain make my heart sing.
Can’t you just power through your least favorite season?
There are coping strategies — like staying in air conditioning, wearing a skimpy sundress, and drinking iced tea all day with the occasional spritz of peppermint water to cool my skin — but I don’t want to spend 1/4 of my year just coping. It wears on me mentally. I feel drained rather than deeply nourished after a season of coping. My love for adventure, growth, and learning doesn’t get fulfilled through coping, and I fall out of alignment with my values.
Looked at as a cycle, each season has its role. Spring is for planting, Summer is for tending and weeding so what’s growing can thrive, Fall is for harvesting and deep preparation for Winter, and Winter is for deep inward recharging of the roots and soil. Both Summer and Winter are resting seasons for us, the metaphoric gardeners of our lives, so we have the energy for the active seasons of Spring and Fall.
So if I could adjust my desires to align with tending what’s already alive in my life so that I, the gardener, can rest and be ready for the big harvest of Fall… well, that takes the pressure off what’s expected of Summer or expected of me.
If I tight grip and just try to survive Summer, I arrive at my beloved Fall weary and already exhausted for all the holding on and pushing I’ve done. That would lead me to not enjoy Summer and that would have a domino effect so I wouldn’t enjoy the other seasons following either.
How can you be with what is?
When I started working with a weight training coach one Spring, I made huge progress. By the time Summer arrived, we needed to re-evaluate my goals. I confessed how uninspired I was and let him know Summer was my most challenging season physically, emotionally, and mentally. Instead of telling me to buck and show up, he said Oh! Then maybe Summer isn’t a time to set new goals. This is a maintenance season for you. I could let go of forcing and striving for new PRs (personal records) and just focus on holding steady.
This level of permission — to be naturally in flow with my own personal rhythm — gave me the space to explore what’s possible with Summer for me.
That sounds easy, but it informed deeper inquiry. How do I hold steady?
It caused me to jump ahead and ask: How do I want to feel in my favorite season of Fall?
I naturally feel connected, energized, and creative in Fall, and that’s how I want to feel. Rather than assuming I’ll always feel that way, I connected the dots — What can I do in Summer so I feel connected, energized, and creative in Fall?
That's when I created my favorite tactic for combatting Summer stagnation…
PRACTICE SEEING THE GIFTS OF SUMMER
As with any other season, there are gifts that only Summer has. Even though I don’t looove Summer, I can see these gifts. Farmer’s Markets come alive with fruits and vegetables, bright flowers line the streets and everyone seems to be out.
I’ve found it’s more empowering to lean in and make friends with Summertime rather than be a whiney biatch all day every day until my beloved Fall and Winter return.… although being a whiney biatch is still fun sometimes, too ;) (I am a Gemini after all) but now my whining is done with humorous intention rather than being a helpless victim– which causes me to either
A) lash out at those around me who love Summer (let’s destroy Summer for everyone *cackle), or
B) make rash decisions like burning my life down and running away back to Maine.
Cue creating a Summer Fun List!
What’s a Summer Fun List? As the name implies, it’s a list that holds all of the wonders and joys of Summer that you would like to indulge in.
It’s a place you can go to that connects you back to yourself and the things you like to do or want to do. The things that give life and work a more delicious context.
Think of it as an oasis where you can replenish when Summer becomes a bit much.
This isn’t a list for or about anyone else. It’s not about people-pleasing… it’s only about person pleasing, with that person being Y-O-U. There are no shoulds. If Summer were wooing you and trying to get your attention and make you feel all relaxed, smiley, and happy, what would Summer offer to you?
The power comes in when you bring intention to this creation. You take a pause from your day-to-day activities and pull back to think about a season as a whole. Yourself as a whole. You get to explore your own wants and desires as if you had no cares or obligations. This isn’t planning, this is dreaming and exploring.
Akin to saying, Wouldn’t it be fun if…
When to create your Summer Fun List
A couple of weeks before the change of seasons, when you feel the current season slipping away and the lament of next season creeps up, write a list of what's possible for the season that isn't as likely in other seasons.
I happen to love a good brainstorming exercise, so I challenged myself to make a list of specific things rather than those broad-stroke generalizations about Summer. This is much easier to do when I’m not in the throes of sweating, reaching for another La Croix while collapsing on the bed asking, Whyyyyy is it so hot? (only to receive the answer from my loving California-born husband, Because it’s Summer.)
And if you’re already in the throes of Summer? Set a comfortable, inviting scene for yourself. Choose a time when you feel more dreamy than judgmental and have at it. If you feel inspired to dive into possibility, then it’s a good time.
And remember: This is NOT a list of what needs to be done.
This is a list of joys that you can go to. It is a series of little moments that flow between work and other aspects of life.
Think of it as a Fun List or a List of Possibilities. Maybe even a list of what you’d do if you looooved Summer – or whatever season you’re writing it for.
For me, a foodie and a cook, lots of things come up around food. What’s in season? What pops up this time of year? Like lemonade stands, food trucks, and the ice cream cart as well as knowing tomatoes, corn, watermelon, and basil are at their peak of flavor. Kettle corn and corn dogs hold a special place at the local fair.
In the world we live in, these things may technically be available all the time, but they become noticeable in Summer because that’s their natural season.
Prompts to get the ideas flowing
What’s in season?
What pops up this time of year?
What activities and events are only available in Summer?
As a kid, what did you do in Summer?
What can you do in Summer so you feel [insert how you want to feel] in Fall?
What sounds fun to do?
If you had no limitations, what would you do this season?
What do other people do in Summer?
What would bring you joy?
What’s a simple pleasure that’s easy to do in Summer?
Make this a brainstorming exercise where you look at different angles.
Think about what would temper any challenges. For example, in Summer I overheat easily, so going to the coast or water is great. Another prompt: What else feels good when I’m hot?
Refining the brainstorm
Try to be specific as much as possible. Maybe “eat summer fruit” becomes “eat chilled watermelon slices with a sprinkle of salt flakes.” You don’t have to force it, but specifics fire different neurons in our brains. If you say “go to the ocean,” that could be anywhere, whereas “pick up sea glass at Glass Beach in Fort Bragg” gets your brain wondering… hey, how can we do that? It connects specific points like a GPS and figures out how to make it happen.
If you have a lot of general things like “eat summer fruit” or “go to the ocean,” get curious. What fruit do I enjoy eating? What ocean would I like to go to?
When you start brainstorming, you will likely feel emotions stirring or even bump into old narratives of what you’re allowed to enjoy or not enjoy. You may be afraid to dream of possibilities because nothing seems realistic. There also may be some very real limitations like an injury or health challenge, or even something global like a pandemic.
I want you to remember that this list is for you, not for anyone else. Come back to how YOU want to feel and ideas that will help you feel that way.
If you have an injury, it might feel good to have “bike the Glenwood trail” on your list because it motivates you to keep at physical therapy and reminds you what you want to do when you’re healed. But if you have a dairy allergy, it’s brutal to load your list with “eat ice cream on the boardwalk” or “get frozen cheesecake in Grant Park.”
With brainstorming, it’s always best to allow all the ideas to flow. So if those dairy ideas come, write them down rather than shut them down. There’s time for refining, and those ideas might inform things you can do, like eating sorbet and connecting with your vegan friend Linda for a vegan cheesecake date.
With something big like a pandemic, I realized my love of travel is greatly affected so I asked myself, How can I travel? That magic word How unlocked my brain’s capacity to come up with ideas. And voilá, I started looking at places to explore within driving distance.
My initial Summer Fun List brainstorm still included rollercoasters, theme parks, and outdoor concerts because I want the possibilities to build rather than mentally shutting them down. I modified or eliminated some of those ideas with a mental note of not this year but my brain still feels them out there, and now it’s oddly making me anticipate next Summer for its new opportunities.
Allow this list to inspire you and also stretch you beyond your typical go to's. For this reason, I recommend pushing yourself to list at least 75 items. It’s often beyond the block or stalling point that the most exciting possibilities come. Keep asking, What else? What else could I do, enjoy or experience during Summer?
You want the list to be long enough to light you up when you read it.
How a Summer Fun List creates awareness
When you’re done brainstorming and have at least 75 items, read over your list and see how you feel. If something feels heavy, tweak it or remove it. Resist the temptation to over-edit for reality in the sense of what you might actually do. Remember this list is about ideas, possibilities, and inspiration on how to enjoy Summer.
If you have a partner, family, friends, or roommates that you spend a lot of time with, you may want to each do this exercise. Comparing individual lists is actually quite intimate. You learn a lot about someone, and their list may open up some new ideas and possibilities for you.
You may also plan things together. Even though the Summer Fun List isn’t a to-do list, it is an inspiration. I’m surprised how many things are happening rather naturally on my own list without added effort. The list created awareness, so when I find myself walking with girlfriends and we stumble upon a sprawling patch of blackberries ready for picking, we start snacking. I gleefully thank the universe for the gift of picking summer fruits without having to coordinate and plan logistics for going to a u-pick farm. This is key. Be open to releasing your expectations of how things need to happen.
The ultimate goal of the list is to tap into fun, however it appears. Many fun things may happen that aren’t even on your list, and that’s great! Having the list and consciously creating a list around fun naturally declares that you want more fun and are open to receiving it.
I’ve shared most of my list below. I love how sharing our inner thoughts and ideas sparks connections and more new thoughts and ideas. Dreams and possibilities beget more dreams and possibilities. I’d love to hear your list or part of your list if you’re so inspired.
Where do you keep your list?
I love glancing at my list weekly or anytime I feel grumbly about the heat. My personal list is filled with simple pleasures, so often I realize the grumbles are coming on because I’m overworking. My list reminds me to take breaks, grab a magazine and read or head to the river.
My list is handwritten and I keep it on my desk. You could put yours on your fridge or keep it in your planner. Notes apps are great if you remember to check them, because then your list is almost always with you. My joyful marketing coach M. Shannon Hernandez illustrated hers because drawing brings her joy.
The list itself and where you keep it can be another source of creativity so you enjoy referring to it.
And, remember, you can add to it anytime… this year’s list can give you ideas for next year too. Capture any of those “Oh, I wish I had…” moments.
Allow yourself to dream and embrace this season fully and know that Summer will come around again.
This tool has allowed me to honestly wish you Happy Summer!
HERE’S MY PERSONAL FUN LIST OF 75+ WAYS TO ENJOY SUMMER
Swim in a rooftop pool
Nap in a hammock
Read in a hammock
Walk barefoot at the waters edge at the beach
Bike ride along the American River
Freewriting at the Yuba River
Coffee or tea in a thermos at sunrise; sunrise breakfast picnic
Morning swimming at Scott's Flat Lake
Photographing Summer blooms
Cold plunges
Swimming in Lake Tahoe
Stargazing during a New Moon
Learn to photograph the Moon
Roasted corn on the grill
Eat watermelon slices
Eat breakfast outside
Sleep outside more (totally fine in a tent)
Pick up rocks at the Tahoe shore
Play pickleball with friends
Play badminton in the yard
Paint toenails fun colors
Pick berries at a u-pick
Shop at a farmers market & buy produce there
Watch a movie outside
Go to a fair
Sleep where I can hear the ocean
Play frisbee at the park
Have a picnic at a park
Wander around Art Walk with my sweetie holding hands
Paddleboard at the lake
Rent kayaks and do some lake kayaking
Make wildflower bouquets
Fly a kite at the beach or in a field
Go to the river at sunset
Eat from a food truck
Drive to Tahoe on a really hot day on a whim
Float in inner tubes
Go to Scottish Highland games practice
Make really yummy mocktails and sit around the fire pit
Watch fireworks
Read by a pool
Drink an iced coffee with crunchy sugar crystals
Do a magic ritual outside
Make Vision Candles at Summer Solstice about Summer intentions
Go someplace with fireflies
Eat oysters at the coast
Visit my nephews and family
Ride a Ferris wheel
Wear a long summer dress and wrap on a breezy day
Make a Summer fruit cobbler
Eat fresh-picked peaches
Grill pineapple with kebabs
Grill peaches with pork chops
Play ping-pong
Boogie boarding
Read a trashy novel in a weekend
Make flower ice cubes for fancy drinks
Make juice ice cubes for fancy drinks
Visit a waterfall
Wear a big sun hat
Walk around the wharfs in San Francisco
Take a boat ride
Visit Japanese Gardens
Go to a museum
Go to an outdoor concert
Dance outside
Visit botanical gardens
Walk around in a sarong
Take a yoga class outside
Ride around in a convertible
Go to a farm to table dinner outside
Do a Full Moon experience, like dinner at Squaw
Do something along the Truckee River — walk, ride, tube, etc.
Have a spa day get away with girlfriends or a girlfriend
Make ceviche
Brew sun tea
What are some highlights on your list? I’d love to know if anything surprised you… about half of my list surprised me!
Whether you’re in a challenging season internally or externally, or doing well but want to be engaging in life with more depth, I support you in getting back to your natural flow or up-leveling to get beyond unconscious limitations. You can start by getting my free guide for working with the moon to cultivate more flow… and magic!
Photo by Cristian Escobar on Unsplash