Too Much Carpe Diem

Do you ever find that summer is supposed to be a relaxing time of year, but it turns out to be the most hectic, frenetic season of all? 

All the “relaxing” we intend to do throughout the year gets piled into a few short months. Instead of staying home and soaking up some sun in peace and quiet, we drag our families all over the country in pursuit of fun. Vacation becomes a string of events rather than a destination. For these reasons and more, a busy summer is supremely fun but also undeniably tiring.

All Good Things 

If this sounds familiar to you, then you’re not alone. I’m in the same boat this year. Sometimes I don’t write enough because I’m too wrapped up in my own brain.  Other times I’m just too jam-packed busy. July has been one of those times, with activities packed back-to-back, in state and out, alone and with family, visitors and visitees. I’ve been making some lovely memories, but I also feel like I haven’t really taken a deep breath since June. And it’s not over yet.

But the things I’ve been doing, the places I’ve been going, and the people I’ve been seeing are priceless. I wouldn’t want to cut anything out of the plans. However, methinks it would have been better to spread the plans over a three-month period rather than cramming it all into a short burst of insanity. 

Slowing It Down

All that to say I’ve learned a lesson from this busy summer’s turbo-charged pace, and I hope to make some better choices when I consult my calendar in the future. Until then, I’ll try to enjoy each moment as it comes—my toddler’s crazy hair and popsicle face, my boy’s boundless energy and dirty feet, my hubby’s grilling and the smell of mown grass, and the sweet, sweet sunshine. I hope you’ll be able to slow down and enjoy the small things too, whether you’re at home or on the road. 

And in the spirit of travel and writing, I’ll keep this short and instead refer you to a post I published a couple of years ago.  I read it again recently and was inspired to view my current adventures as raw materials for future stories. Until next time, friends, carpe diem!

…Especially if it’s in your own back yard.