A Guide To Getting Through The Summer Slump
Most people are jetting off to sunnier shores, but myself and so many others aren't going away this year. It's normal to want a break from working hard all year round. So naturally the summer slump sets in, this happens every year. I lose all motivation to work and find it difficult to get that get-up and go energy that I so desperately need. All I want to do is curl up in the sun (when it appears) and read. Sadly I can't make a living doing that so I've had to figure out a way to push through the summer slump.
SWITCH IT UP
It's easy to get stuck in a routine and after a while it becomes really dull. You don't have to completely shake things up, just little things. Something like, incorporating a new hobby or picking something back up and trying it again can all help. I tend to make myself a new list of goals & aims to try and complete by the end of the year. Chances are the resolutions we made in January have become a little unloved so it's a good time to revisit them.
TAKE A BREAK
Even if you can't go away then it's still important to give ourselves a break. Usually when my summer slump hits it's because my brain and body need a rest. I think like most of us who are self-employed we feel the strain of taking time off more than most. The amount of guilt I feel for even allowing myself a few hours off can make me feel like a terrible/lazy person. I've come to learn just how important it is, though. When I force myself to push through I end up burning out which is a lot less proactive than just simply taking a day or two away from work.
GET OUTSIDE
As sunshine is such a rarity in the UK it's nice to make the most of it. I'm a homebody so my room is my sanctuary so often I forget to just get outside. Going for a walk after the workday is over when the temperature has simmered down is one of my favourite things to do. Something else I always enjoy doing is sitting and eating my breakfast, lunch or dinner outside, there is something instantly relaxing about eating outdoors. It goes without saying it's peak BBQ season too!
TREAT YO SELF
Like I said I'm not able to go away this year and haven't been able to for a few years so I like to treat myself to a little something. For most people, a holiday is their reward for working hard all year. As I've got back into reading in a big way I finally pressed order on my Amazon basket and I can't wait for them to arrive. There is nothing better than a fresh book that you can sit and enjoy in the sunshine to recharge your worn out batteries.
SLOW DOWN
Everything slows down in the summer so why not let yourself take things at a more relaxed pace too? Once I've re-charged it's better to ease yourself into work instead of going at things full force. Writing a to-do list and plan of what needs doing always helps me tackle things more effectively as I don't panic and try to do 100 things at once which is just disastrous.
How do you get past the summer slump?
R x
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