We are in the thick of summer. Here in Dallas, the temperature is in the hundreds. It’s warm, and the attitude is a more laid back. In the heart of lazy summer, is there a way to be creatively productive while you enjoy a laid back attitude? Try these four strategies.
Four strategies to enjoy lazy summer days (while also being creatively productive!)
Get outside. Summer is a perfect time to enjoy getting outside. Camp under a starry sky. Take a day trip to a nearby park (preferably a park with a lake or a river to float in). Or, just walk along a paved trail in town. Not sure where to go? Take a look at the National Park Service’s website. All you have to do is put in a location and you get a list of parks near you. You can even filter by activity. And, getting outside is productive too! You can get some physical activity, relax in nature, and support your local parks department all at the same time.
Read away a summer day. Summer is full of opportunities to enjoy a book, whether you are at the beach, on a hammock, or simply on the sofa (enjoying the A/C). And, fun summer reading lists are everywhere. I’m reading a few books this summer: Cleopatra, a Life by Stacey Schiff, No Ordinary Time by Doris Kearns Goodwin, and A Column of Fire by Ken Follett. The best part? Reading is incredibly productive to expand your mind and help you think outside the box.
Set up your outdoor space for creativity. Doesn’t a hammock just fit the mold for a lazy summer day? We hung two hanging chairs in our back tree to enjoy on warm evenings. You don’t have to have a big back yard (or back porch, or back window!) to enjoy a little gardening. A few potted plants (and mix in some herbs!) adds a fun, relaxing atmosphere to your outdoor space. Greenery and relaxation can increase your creativity and make you more productive.
Enjoy a staycation. What can be delightfully lazier than sticking around your own town and experiencing it like a tourist? No road trips, no long lines, no itineraries to keep track of. If you were a tourist in your town, what would you do? Are there new restaurants in your neighborhood? What about live music on a weeknight? Try something new and get out of your comfort zone. You will feel creatively productive! Remember: you don’t have to go far or pay a lot for some rest and relaxation.
Maybe you’ve noticed, I’ve taken some time to slow down this summer too. Instead of blogging each week (the first time in almost four years that I’ve skipped more than a week!), I’ve enjoyed some lazy summer days myself.
What have you been up to on these lazy summer days?
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