The Summer Battle: Work vs. Rest. Can’t We Do Both?

By Nicole Cronenwett, Delta Theta (Texas Woman’s U), Foundation Board Director

If you are anything like me, you have an internal “work to-do list/self-care” battle going on inside you throughout the entire summer. The root of this battle is the daily struggle between taking advantage of the slower work pace to plan for the fall versus taking time to rest, relax, and restore one’s mind and body. The toughest aspect of this battle is that both activities are truly important for growth and equally deserving of attention. As I sit here in early June, I am feeling determined to complete each item on my fall planning list while making time for picnics, vacations, and all things leisure.

As I thought about what advice I could utilize for myself and offer to you, I wondered what information was already available to us both. I was relieved to discover that I was not alone in this battle and that actually many others were struggling with this as well as I read the article headlines, “How to make a (realistic) plan for summer that will leave you feeling rejuvenated;” “Making rest a priority in the summer;” “Summer means relaxing. So why are we so busy planning?” and “Finding balance over the summer months.” After reading these headlines and scanning the articles, I am starting to feel encouraged knowing there is some guidance out there for us to learn from and follow.

Let’s look at the planning side of things, and see what helpful tips and tricks are out there for us in tackling those summer planning projects. As I read through the material presented in the articles, three suggestions stood out to me about how to best utilize the summer months to tackle my to-do list.

1. Plan your weeks in advance. Abby Connolly, in the article, “Stay Productive During the Summer with these Tips for Balancing Rest and Relaxation with Responsibilities”, recommends planning your weeks in advance. Taking time each Sunday to plan out your following week will allow you to see what appointments, meetings you have scheduled and where you have some time to work on your to-do list. Actually, writing down your weekly schedule will help you stay on track to meeting your daily work goals. And don’t forget to celebrate the weekly wins!!!
2. Batching. Spark Creativity, suggested in their article, “A Teacher’s Guide to Summer Planning that Works”, to batching work. Batching is a method of doing a bunch of similar items at the same time. If there are a group of similar tasks like answering emails, organizing supplies, and creating a series of social media posts on your to-do list, then work to answer all of your emails in one day instead over multiple days. With this approach you will maximize effort and save time.
3. Just say no: Astrid Baumgardner, in the article, “5 Steps to Achieving Balance this Summer,” offered the advice to just say no to any task, event, or ask that competes with our summer goals. While this may be tough to do, should you say yes to that person or activity, you may be saying no to your goals and ultimately yourself.

Next, let’s examine the other side, relaxation!! Taking time for myself and truly taking a break is difficult for me. Even when I sit down to watch a movie, I feel as if I am wasting valuable time. Yet, intellectually, I know how important rest is to my overall mental and physical health. Here are some thoughts about how we can take advantage of those moments and days of rest.

1. Time for reflection. Alex Robertson, in the article, “Embracing the Off-Season: Balancing Rest, Reflection, and Readiness”, recommends taking time to reflect on the past season. Creating time and space for you to reflect on the past semester, season, achievements, frustrations, etc. allows you to recognize and honor what you have been through while offering an opportunity for you to think through what you would do differently, what habits you would keep, or what supports are needed for your success the next time around. And this reflection time doesn’t have to occur in one setting. Taking time for reflection once a week or daily can be an incredible practice for helping you achieve your goals, especially, those self-care goals.
2. Find an escape. John Spencer, suggested in the article, “Making Rest a Priority in the Summer,” to find an escape. I really love this suggestion and find it really intriguing. Your “escape” can be going to the park, seeing the latest movie, or sitting in the backyard laughing with sweet friends. Whatever activity truly feeds your soul and brings restoration can serve as your escape.
3. Have fun. So, this one expands a bit on the last suggestion. And I didn’t necessarily see this piece of advice as I was reading through the articles but felt it was an important reminder for all of us. There are so many times when we get caught up in the planning of things, even with our vacations, that we forget to have fun. How many times have I heard friends say, “ I now need a vacation from my vacation!” It is important for all of us to remember that even in the midst of the planning, the busy, and, yes, the relaxing to have fun.

Wherever you may find yourself this summer whether that be gearing up for the fall or soaking up the sun on a beach, my hope is that you are discovering moments of rest and having fun. If you want to explore this topic a bit more, below are some references for you. Happy Summer Sisters!