Episode No. 27
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Ever since we were kids there was always one season that we essentially lived for: summer. It was the time when we had less school work (unless you went to a school that gave work to prepare for the year ahead), trips to to beach, longer days, and more activities with friends and family.
My summers weren’t necessarily like this because for the most part, my family and I traveled south for the summer and when that stopped my summers were filled with seasonal work in a school.
Truthfully I never knew how much people lived for summer until I saw one of my favorite content creators mention it in one of their videos and from there is was like an alert of it went off and I started to notice how much people live for the summer. It’s not necessarily bad to have something to look forward to but it is alarming how much people use it to guilt themselves into certain behaviors. I am on a weight loss journey and I already spoke about how I view the action for myself and my reasons for doing so. However, that doesn’t mean some of the rhetoric used isn’t a bit alarming for motivation during the process.
I don't feel triggered by weight loss content but lately on my feed I’ve been getting videos on my feed like “I only have 6 summers left in my 20s... I'm locking tf in so I can wear dental floss bikinis for all of them” and “put. the. sweet. treat.DOWN. We only have 4 months left.”
People get motivated in different ways but the reason this rhetoric is dangerous is that it promotes ageism, encourages a bad relationship with food, and overall promotes the idea that we only have summer to exist for. There isn’t a problem with a person wanting to lose weight or not have certain foods but centering those things only around summer creates this idea that you can only enjoy the season conditionally. Work on your physique because you believe that you deserve to exist in a version of your body that makes you feel the most empowered and confident (and it’s okay if that version is different than others). Put down the sweet treat if you believe that it is contributing to you feeling physically worse (as in sluggish and adding stomach discomfort) and you don’t want a temporary comfort for a longer-term discomfort.
Love for summer is not meant to be conditional and when we reach adulthood we don’t necessarily get to defy our seasons as we did when we were kids. So this blog post is about ways to enjoy all the seasons because life is too short to center our lives over just a small period.
Change how you view "celebration"
Have you ever thought about how you view celebration? Do you only deem things worthy of celebrating when it's a large thing or a holiday? The truth is, that waiting for big moments to celebrate can make life feel less fulfilling and create unnecessary pressure around those major events. By creating weekly activities to celebrate, you give yourself more opportunities to feel joy and appreciation throughout the year. This could be as simple as acknowledging a small win at work, treating yourself to a nice meal after completing a personal goal or taking time to recognize the effort you put into maintaining relationships. Regular celebration helps build a positive mindset, increases motivation, and makes everyday life feel more meaningful. You don't need to wait for something big to celebrate life more - the small victories and simple pleasures are just as worthy of recognition.
Change the way you celebrate
What makes people not appreciate the seasons is the way you celebrate. If you are someone who is struggling financially at the moment, the idea of finding activities and ways to celebrate can be daunting. Or maybe you are someone with the financial means, but you hold back on celebrating because you don't want to celebrate without others or you don't know creative ways to celebrate. This mindset can lead to missing out on valuable experiences and memories throughout the year. By limiting our celebration to specific conditions or circumstances, we risk creating a cycle of waiting for the "perfect" moment instead of embracing the present. Additionally, this restrictive approach to celebration can impact our mental well-being, as we may feel less fulfilled or satisfied with our daily lives when we don't acknowledge and celebrate the small moments that make each season special.
Ways to celebrate without spending money:
Take a mindful walk in nature and photograph beautiful scenes
Have a personal dance party in your room
Write yourself a congratulatory letter
Create art using materials you already have at home
Do a self-care session with items you own
Practice meditation or yoga using free online videos
Low-cost celebration ideas:
Buy yourself a single flower
Visit a local museum on their free/discounted day
Take a scenic bus or train ride to somewhere new
Create a special playlist for the occasion
Visit a library and spend time reading in a cozy corner
Ways to celebrate alone:
Take a relaxing bubble bath with ambient music
Write in a gratitude journal
Create a vision board using digital tools
Learn a new skill through free online resources
Rearrange your space to feel fresh and renewed
Watch the sunrise or sunset from a special spot
Other celebration ideas:
Create a photo collection of happy memories
Start a new hobby project
Give yourself a spa day at home
Write and mail cards to friends
Do some gentle stretching or movement
Create a playlist that represents your achievement
Decorate a portion of your room with post-notes and call it your “win wall”
Find joy in every season by focusing on its unique opportunities and experiences
Finding joy in every season breaks the cycle of living only for summer. When we appreciate each season's unique qualities, we create positive changes in our lives. By embracing year-round joy, we reduce anxiety around specific times while developing more balanced habits. This mindset helps us connect with nature's rhythms and maintain consistent happiness throughout the year. When we value all seasons equally, we build resilience against seasonal mood changes and discover opportunities for growth every month. Instead of pinning all our hopes on summer, we spread enjoyment across the year. Our daily routines become more stable, replacing dramatic seasonal shifts with sustainable practices. Our bond with nature strengthens as we tune into each season's distinct character. Rather than waiting for one "perfect" time of year, we find happiness in life's ongoing moments. This adaptability helps us stay positive year-round, while our personal growth continues through every season.
Spring
Focus on renewal and fresh starts - the perfect time for new habits and routines
Embrace the changing weather as a metaphor for personal growth
Appreciate the beauty of blooming flowers and returning wildlife
Summer
Shift from appearance-focused goals to experience-based enjoyment
Create meaningful memories through activities rather than focusing on looks
Appreciate longer days for their ability to extend quality time with loved ones
Fall
View the cooling weather as an opportunity for cozy activities and self-care
Embrace the changing colors as inspiration for creativity
Use harvest season as motivation for gratitude and abundance mindset
Winter
See the season as a time for reflection and internal growth
Appreciate the quiet beauty of snow and winter landscapes
Use indoor time for developing skills and pursuing passion projects
Bring back seasonal bucket list
Creating a seasonal bucket list helps you identify and plan activities unique to each season. This practice ensures you make the most of seasonal opportunities and maintain excitement throughout the year. Your bucket list can include both indoor and outdoor activities, special events, and personal goals specific to that season.
Benefits of seasonal bucket lists:
Provides structure and anticipation for each season
Helps you take advantage of seasonal activities and events
Creates a balanced approach to year-round enjoyment
Encourages trying new experiences in different weather conditions
Makes each season feel special and purposeful
Look for a variety of things to each month
Looking for variety in monthly activities is crucial for creating a more balanced and fulfilling life. Regular social connections are maintained through family dinners and community involvement, while personal growth is fostered through professional development and learning new skills. These activities also promote creativity and home improvement through DIY projects, and help maintain a connection with seasonal changes through activities like trying seasonal recipes and nature walks. This diverse approach to monthly activities aligns perfectly with the idea that life should be lived fully throughout the year, not just during certain seasons. By incorporating various activities into your routine, you create countless opportunities for enjoyment and personal development across all seasons.
Have a monthly DIY decor project night to transform your space
Plan regular dinners with friends and family to maintain connections
Explore local pop-up events to discover new experiences
Get involved in community causes that matter to you
Invest in yourself through professional development webinars
Practice digital wellness with scheduled no-screen days
Create themed movie nights with appropriate snacks and decorations
Start a seasonal book club with friends or join an existing one
Try new recipes that use seasonal ingredients
Schedule regular nature walks or outdoor activities
Mindset Shift: Life is meant to be lived fully year-round, not just in summer
The key to living a fulfilling life isn't about waiting for summer or any specific season - it's about embracing each moment throughout the year. When we shift our mindset from seasonal-dependent happiness to year-round appreciation, we open ourselves to countless opportunities for joy, growth, and celebration. This approach not only enriches our daily experiences but also helps us develop a healthier relationship with time, our bodies, and the natural cycles of life.
By implementing the strategies discussed - from changing how we view and practice celebration, to finding unique joys in each season, creating seasonal bucket lists, and incorporating variety into our monthly activities - we can break free from the summer-centric mindset that often limits our potential for happiness. Remember, life's beauty isn't confined to a single season; it's present in every moment we choose to embrace it fully.
As you move forward, challenge yourself to find wonder in the changing seasons, create meaningful celebrations throughout the year, and appreciate the unique opportunities each month brings. Life is too precious to spend most of it waiting for summer - instead, let's make every season count.
I hope you enjoyed this post and found it interesting. Also if you like my content it would mean the world to me if you would also subscribe to my YouTube channel, my Pinterest, and my TikTok account. On YouTube, I have the most inspirational content from Lifestyle Design posts to Digital "open when..." letters to boost your moods. I also keep a copy of my podcast episodes (which is also available on Spotify). I decided that I am honoring what feels right to me and continuously working on building the life of my dreams and helping others do the same. Don’t forget to share this if you feel inspired and I will have more content for you soon.
Until next time butterflies 🦋
Xoxo,
Lay 💋
What Inspired this Episode:
The need to address summer self-care in a practical, comprehensive way, particularly as many people tend to focus primarily on aesthetic goals like achieving the "perfect beach body" rather than genuine well-being. While getting fit and looking good can be part of a healthy routine, there's often too much emphasis placed on appearance over practical aspects of summer wellness like proper hydration, skin protection, and heat safety. This episode aims to provide valuable guidance that prioritizes real health and well-being over purely cosmetic concerns.
Topics I wanted to explore:
How can we approach summer self-care in a practical, sustainable way?
What are the essential elements of skin protection duringthe summer months?
How can we maintain healthy habits while enjoying summer activities?
What role does mindset play in summer wellness?
How can we choose the right sunscreen and other protective products?
"How to take care of skin in summer without expensive products"
"Summer self-care routine for busy women"
"Best affordable sunscreens for daily use"
"How to stay healthy and active during summer heat"
"Summer wellness tips for mental health"
"Natural ways to protect skin in summer"
"Simple summer self-care habits for beginners"
"Summer skincare routine for acne-prone skin"
"How to balance summer fun with self-care"
"Budget-friendly summer wellness ideas"
"How to maintain energy levels during summer heat"
"Creating a summer morning routine that sticks"
"Summer hydration tips beyond just drinking water"
"Managing summer sleep schedule with longer daylight"
"Indoor self-care activities for extremely hot days"
"Transitioning skincare routine from spring to summer"
"Summer wellness habits for working professionals"
"Mindful eating practices during summer gatherings"
"How to protect hair and scalp during summer"
"Creating a summer self-care toolkit on a budget"
Episode Description:
In this episode, we are talking all about practical summer self-care. We are talking about taking care of the skin, remaining safe when practicing exercise, and happiness and mindset. We Take time to deep dive into the most important product of the summer- Sunscreen and what to look for when selecting one. Summer is a fun time but self-care isn't seasonal and we want to adjust our habits accordingly for the season.
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Music by Remil - Evening Tea - https://thmatc.co/?l=DFECB5D4
Section | Timestamp | Notes |
Introduction | 00:00 | ⦾ Wanted to talk about self-care action pertaining to health instead of beauty |
Skincare Habits | 01:11 | ⦾ Skin Protection and Understanding Sunscreen ⦾ Two types of sunscreen- Minral (physical) vs chemical skincare ⦾ How to choose the right sunscreen for yourself ⦾ Reapplying sunscreen ⦾ How the FDA categorizes sunscreen ⦾ My Sunscreen faves ⦾ Why Wear lightweight makeup ⦾ Washing your face ⦾ Keep Aloe vera and bug spray around |
Physical health safety tips | 07:42 | ⦾ Exercise and movement safety
⦾ Different forms of exercises and movement
⦾ Proper clothing
|
Hydration | 11:00 | ⦾ Staying hydrated ⦾ Focus on what makes you drink more water |
Happiness and Mindset | 12:10 | ⦾ The pressure to socialize ⦾ Moments of solitude ⦾ Getting outside ⦾Summer is about experience ⦾ Bridging the gap between who you are and who you desire to be ⦾Things to do during the summer ⦾ Imperfectly capturing moments |
Mini announcement | 20:41 | ⦾ My new content creation process |
Card Pull + What I'm grateful for | 23:30 | ⦾Morning the world awakes you ⦾ Making Progress in Behind the scene stuff |
List of research sources/ References:
CDC guidelines for sun protection
American Academy of Dermatology recommendations
National Weather Service heat safety tips