Last summer was a rough one for most of us. We were quarantining, limiting our social contact, and suffering sweaty faces because we had our masks on. I don’t know about all of you, but I had an internal list in my head of how I wanted to spend the summer of 2021. And guess what, it’s here! Summer 2021 is here and it’s time to enjoy it. What did you want to do last summer that you couldn’t do and how can you do it right now?
I’m a life-long Chicagoan and we LIVE for our summers. I’m not going to let this one pass without doing so many of the things that I couldn’t last summer. Nights out with friends, BBQ on the deck, roof top bars in the city, and a few visits to Chicago’s beaches are all on my to-do list this summer. What’s on your list?
How are you going to honor this summer after the last one we had? #covid #summer #happiness Click To TweetLast fall when the virus spiked, I remember feeling so overwhelmed and fragile. We know many people who either lost someone to COVID or who had it themselves and were desperately ill. As the days grew shorter and colder and the death toll rose, I feared that some of us wouldn’t see another summer. I know that sounds fearful and pessimistic and yet that’s truly how I felt. When that first vaccine hit my arm (and the arms of my family), I felt such hope and joy. In that moment, I vowed not to wait to fully live my life. I vowed to not procrastinate fun, travel, time with family, and precious down time.
And now it is here. Summer! Summer in Chicago or wherever you live. How are you going to honor this summer after the last one we had? What have you been saying you want to do, but haven’t actually done? Go do that now. How often do we say, “One day . . .”? Today is that day. Don’t wait. It’s summer and there’s never been a better summer to get out, have fun, and do the things you’ve been dreaming of doing.
Love,
Lisa Kaplin Psy. D. PCC