Where Did the Summer Go?
It’s hard to believe the months of summer are slowly ending, with the shortening of days. The sun rises later and sets a little earlier. I love this gradual shift, as I notice in myself, a shift as well. I am still out in the garden some days, watering (though not as much), cutting flowers (though not as much) and breathing in the slowness that comes. It comes in ways only noticeable as I slow down. It comes with deep breaths, bare feet in the dirt (that’s chilly most mornings!) and the wind gently blowing in the new season.
Where did the summer go?
I can reflect and notice it went to highs and lows, laughter and tears, togetherness. Do you notice that too? I can also notice it disappointed and it surprised. As with any full season, there was expected and unexpected. There were rhythms but not routines. This part of the season – the alarms, lunch making, sports starting routines – are where I can notice this new season the most.
While I think mental health needs rest, play and unstructured moments, rhythms are intrinsic to us all. Reflecting, you might notice that in your earliest seconds, minutes and days of life (in utero) rhythm was present: your mother’s heart beat. And so, rhythm resets us all.
You might notice walking, knitting, reading, biking…any experience with rhythm is calming. I invite you to spend a few moments slowing down to notice this experience. If you have just five minutes, that’s enough.
While rhythm is so good – there are seasons (like summer!) when you notice a break from rhythms and routines. It’s okay to stir it up a little some times. But if you notice some dysregulation or a sense of anxiety or maybe overwhelm, I invite you to reflect. What’s this season been like for you? Be it camping, holidays, BBQs or other joyful moments, the unstructured nature of summer can be hard over time.
Perhaps you have been anticipating the setting of your alarm?… mornings are now time to rise the kids, of ushering in those morning routines. However, routines will eventually become mundane, but they do provide some framework to your day. They bring a sense of expectancy for your nervous system, your unconscious parts. This is healthy. It’s good. It being balance.
So, where did summer go? Summer went to the ups and downs. It went to the slow and fast. As with most seasons, the summer went to the laughter and tears. Summer is a season that will return. Perhaps you notice feeling both refreshed and also a little off-balance. When rhythm is lacking, humans can struggle a little. Can your notice this? It might be a sensed need for reconnection with self. While the summer has been fulfilling in many ways, your rhythms might not have allowed for some of those important self-care priorities…like your mental/emotional health.
Part of the joys of summer, is the release of a sense of obligation. It’s a time to release the need for making lunches or preparing snacks in the same way. You don’t need to think about practice times and how to squeeze in dinner. You get to be. There’s more in-the-moment-living.
In-the-moment-living is the best!
Yet, your system might crave some of those routines, appointments or self-care needs. You might notice that rest, play and adventure have been refreshing and welcoming the balance of rhythms and routines feels hopeful. I invite you to notice how you can prioritize yourself in these next several weeks and months.
What do you need?
How are you feeling, as you consider ushering in Fall?
Where is your heart and how can you care for you?
If you’re struggling, you’re wanting to dig into these questions or (re)establish some healthy rhythms for your mental, emotional, relational, physical health, please reach out. I would love to connect.
