Summertime Funtime - Five Tips for Summer Planning

by Karrin

Summer is here and it's time to have fun. Every summer we are bombarded by the media with fantastical images of happy people on incredible vacations. The fantasy of summer is sunshine without sunburns, sand without a mess, and beautiful happy people ready to have fun. The truth is summer is amazing and beautiful if you plan for it to be that way.

When life feels like a rollercoaster people can’t wait for vacation. When an upcoming vacation becomes an excuse to work, diet, or spend money excessively the vacation may cause more stress than rejuvenation. Those that plan their summer schedule in advance end up being more moderate and actually have more fun. Planning in advance, when done in a sensible manner, helps us be realistic and prioritize our summer fun. Other people are more likely to fit into our summer plans when they know what the plans are.

The most important part of planning is the mood you are in while you make your plans - relationships are built one memory at a time. Here are five tips for summer planning:

1. Having an enthusiastic attitude is essential. 
2. Details are important in planning. 
3. Taking a realistic look at the time and money is relevant. 
4. Making time for everything takes time. 
5. When thinking of the possibilities think big.

Planning in advance doesn’t mean the weather will always cooperate or there will be no spontaneity. Planning actually enhances our ability to be flexible and adaptive. Taking the time to examine the different areas of our life and determine our priorities is insightful. A fulfilling summer might not only include play and relaxation, it may also include work, organization and new projects. When we take a moment to think about the specific people and experiences we’d love to have this summer, we begin to realize our role in making things happen. Summer is full of possibilities and dreams come true for everyone. What is your plan for the summer?