I am inspired by our local library’s summer reading program theme this year – “Imagine Your Story”. I LOVE that. It sparks a lot of positive thinking for me.
Earlier this week, I talked about early planning for the fall. Today, I want to talk about the more immediate need for planning your summer. Theoretically, you had much of your summer mapped out months ago. But likely that’s changed. Some, much, or perhaps all of your summer is being re-shaped by coronavirus. How can you re-imagine your summer?
This is a great question to open up your mind to all the possibilities of summer. Your story for the summer. When you look back at this summer, what do you want to remember?
You’ll remember the history-making headlines and stories, the masks, the closed businesses, and many other things that were beyond your control. But what else will you recall? What can you imagine, create, and foster that will be part of your family’s good memories for the Summer of 2020?
Our summer has started and yes, it’s different. We’re working with less and somehow more. It’s easy to focus on the less, but what about the more? More of what? Well, mostly time. With part-time jobs, sports, group activities, and volunteering all on hold, we have loads of time.
For me, the key is finding a variety of projects and outings that don’t take too much effort. Summer is supposed to be my easy time. I don’t want to work too hard at finding things to do. I don’t want to pursue loads of complicated projects that require a lot of prep.
We’re doing more camping, hiking, biking, and projects around the house. I’ve ordered some supplies to make crafts we’ve never tried, like geode resin slices. (I’ll let you know how that one goes.) But mostly I’m trying not to spend a lot of money to keep us entertained. Because it usually doesn’t take money. It just takes creativity. Imagination. Thinking about what we could do differently.
Perhaps my kids can teach me some new skills. My kids know how to do all sorts of things that I don’t.
A partial list:
- 3-D Printing
- Welding
- Bird identification
- Fly fishing, including fly tying
- Different workouts
- And much more.
Truthfully, I’m not really interested in some of that ‘And much more’ stuff. But there’s a lot I could learn. Maybe we’ll try some. Not all. That’s too much work and, you know, it’s summer.
This switch in roles might not work for you. You support their interests, but don’t feel like learning them. Or they don’t feel like teaching you. Perhaps they could make YouTube videos to teach others? Just an idea to get you thinking of some possibilities.
Watch this video from Colorado’s Jefferson County Public Library and see where it takes you:
Take a deep breath and Imagine Your Summer. Let your mind wander and explore. Imagine all the possibilities for fun and good memories. You’ll come up with some cool ideas. I’m sure of it.
