{"id":335,"date":"2011-09-15T10:28:21","date_gmt":"2011-09-15T17:28:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/laurarothafel.com\/?p=335"},"modified":"2011-09-15T10:29:33","modified_gmt":"2011-09-15T17:29:33","slug":"summertime-blues","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.laurarothafel.com\/?p=335","title":{"rendered":"Summertime Blues"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summer is here!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

“May gray” <\/em>and “June gloom”<\/em> are gone. We have just celebrated the 4th of July! So now what?<\/p>\n

Summer just does not have the same meaning as an adult. The days are not as carefree. We don\u2019t get to roam the streets looking for someone to play with or sleep as long as we want. \u00a0Summer no longer guarantees time off or a vacation. \u00a0What happened?<\/p>\n

As a child there were no expectations placed on us during summer and we got a break from school. \u00a0If you went to college summer still had meaning – it usually came by the end of May. And, if you worked while in college, half of your daily load was gone! \u00a0Working hours would increase, but the hours of homework would magically disappear! Aaahhhh!!!<\/p>\n

Summer would pass by in our late teens and early twenties as if it barely existed. \u00a0Hours spent working left little time for the usual sunbathing and swimming rituals. \u00a0The subtle changes in skin and hair color was proof we had scarcely been kissed by the sun. \u00a0The real proof of summer was that there was money to pay for tuition and books. \u00a0Yes, summer had changed.<\/p>\n

The Transition<\/strong><\/h2>\n

As adults we begrudgingly accept this new definition of summer. We are adults with constraints, responsibilities and sometimes the summertime blues. \u00a0We no longer gallivant the streets on our bikes looking for something to do.<\/p>\n

Now, we jump in the car with a specific destination in mind and we have the pressure of being there on time. \u00a0If there is traffic or a detour we are easily annoyed over the inconvenience. Most of us don\u2019t drive around spontaneously thinking \u2018Wow! What a great detour. \u00a0I am so glad I saw that view.\u2019\u00a0 \u00a0We are conditioned to focus on the destination vs. the journey.<\/p>\n

The priority of an adult is work. Eventually, the family and home become the primary focus of our attention. Sometimes, we forget the need to take a break and appreciate life. \u00a0The idea of going to the beach because it is Tuesday — or going to an afternoon Angel game on a Thursday remains only an idea. \u00a0There are too many obligations and not enough time. Can you relate?<\/p>\n

School Is Out For Summer<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If you have young or school age children and are the primary care taker you might just get to re-live a bit a summer. \u00a0You no longer help with homework and\/or prod your kids to get up in the morning. Now, your days become filled with activities and day trips to keep your kids (and maybe a few extra) busy. Creating good times and plenty of memories. \u00a0However, you are the leader, planner, organizer, transporter and playmate! \u00a0Fun?\u00a0Yes. \u00a0Exhausting?\u00a0Usually.<\/p>\n

When you do take time out to participate\/play in summer as an adult, even if it is with your kids, there is still the \u201clist\u201d that lurks in your mind. What didn\u2019t get done? What did I forget? What about work? The stress of those thoughts can blossom like weeds, slowly spreading over your good time. \u00a0You know what I am talking about it.<\/p>\n

CURE THE SUMMERTIME BLUES<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Here are some tips to help with creating a more meaning summer:<\/p>\n