Sometimes the concept of a vacation, or simply time off, is better in theory. When that break finally creeps up, and we trade in our textbooks for a beach day, we can be met with fatigue, mental blocks, and internal pressures to be productive. Summer is fleeting and the pressure to relax becomes its own stressor. The need to achieve the ultimate vacation by building a résumé of “things I did this summer” — while simultaneously craving rest — has me asking, how can we find balance for ourselves in order to really make summer a true break?
Every summer, I am overcome with nostalgia. I crave the feeling of being a child running around my cul-de-sac until the sun starts to set. The cabin trips where ice cream was dinner, and the beach was home base. Sleepovers with friends where we would stay up all night to spite our parents because “It’s summer, mom!” Yearning for that idealized Technicolour childhood summer is bittersweet — the expectation of it all generates a self-inflicted tension to feel that kind of happiness. I am trying to accomplish all this “me time” before school starts again, yet the pressure I place on myself remains a year-round sensation.
An article titled “The art of a getting a great summer break” in University Affairs, discusses giving power to yourself during summer break. This piece acknowledges the life of an academic and how we owe it to ourselves to rest and address our mental well-being through steps for a restful summer, such as: defining your own great break, giving yourself permission not to work, prioritizing that which gives you flow, addressing your guilt, and getting proactive and practical.
I find my own balance in summer by ensuring I do something that fulfills me every day. On days where motivation is hard, or work is jam-packed, doing one joyful thing can make me feel more like myself. Little things ranging from watching a show before bed to sitting by the river with a friend. Any little joy is customizable, and I work to prioritize adding those things to my schedule to feel personal fulfillment. That way I get to have lazy rest days without feeling the guilt of rotting away, and my busy workday is balanced with something extra, just for me, at the end of the day.
It’s hard to avoid being overwhelmed by the guilt of wasting a day, not getting enough time with friends, or feeling money stress while wishing for a day off work; these are normal summer stressors. These stressors are why I have worked within myself to create that balance and give myself something for me every day. All the little things count.
Summer can look different for everyone and knowing what will feel best for you is the key to balance. Taking a step back from the internal pressures of time and achievement can help you define what you need from summer. Those needs can be anything from a jam-packed road trip with friends to five consecutive beach days with a book in hand. The key to summer is a personal perspective on balance. I work with myself to enjoy the present moment while being realistic, yet excited for what’s to come. Some days I do completely rot in bed because the thought of anything else is debilitating. Some weeks I have to work full time. Other times I will be out and about with friends for the entirety of the day, enjoying the sunshine and quality time. All instances are my reality; one is not “better” than the other, because at any given time that is what I need.
My ultimate advice, as someone in the same boat as you, is to give yourself kindness and grace. Do what fulfills you. Trust yourself and your needs. Rest, be lazy, go outside, enjoy events, celebrate your time off, lay on the beach, have backyard parties. Doing anything, everything, or absolutely nothing is perfectly acceptable for the summer you need. Summer is yours to use in any way you see fit.
Happy break everyone! Be gracious with yourself.
