Movement for body, mind and spirit

Menu

I have to confess that summer makes me lazy. 

Not nearly as lazy as this guy, but lazy in the way of letting go of the “shoulds” and “have tos” that I have imposed on myself.

The other day I had planned to sit down and get some work done – writing this newsletter, actually – but it was a beautiful day and my favourite trails at the RBG were calling me. So we went out for a lovely walk in the woods, then found our way to a local microbrewery and enjoyed a cold drink in the shade of their patio. Zero work done that day. 

I’ve been feeling a little guilty about how often I’ve been putting aside my to-do list, and at the same time I’m acknowledging how fleeting these precious summer days are. I don’t want to look back on this summer and wish I had spent more time enjoying warm breezes, fresh fruit, hikes, and generally being outdoors without needing anything more than shorts, t-shirt and sandals. 

I wrote in my October newsletter about my need to allow an inner shift to accompany the seasonal shift from summer to autumn, and I’m very aware now of the need to acknowledge the continuing transition of my internal seasons as we enter the heat of summer. Summer is for me a time of more energy for movement, for taking in the energy of the sun through not only my skin, but from the fruits and vegetables that grow locally. Summer is a time when I feel more playful, when my introvert self wants more connection with others and I more actively reach out. Summer is a time when I feel more buoyant, willing to try new things and let go of my anchors for a little while, more able to trust that new supports will show up in their place. 

The heaviness of guilt and self-reproach have no place in the lightness of these days, so I’m letting them go. As I do, I realize there’s time and energy in these so-called lazy days for both work and play, and the calendar around my to-do lists will continue to shift through the season. 

How are you different in the summer?
How does your energy shift through the seasons?
What do you let go of?
What feeds your spirit?
What feeds your body?

Please consider these questions as you ride your bike, walk in the woods, or sit with a cool drink in the shade. I’d love to hear about the ways you experience your inner seasonal shift, if you care to share!