10 Lessons from Summer

1. Time is fleeting. My parents are getting older. I see how quickly the years pass by with my kids but then when I’m with my family I see how much I’ve missed in moments we are apart. Savor every moment.

2. Life exists outside of your phone. My cell phone usage was down 70-80% this summer and I felt less anxiety, more joy and more contentment than I have in a very long time.

3. Middle America is special. Literally no one gives a fuck about what you look like, if your eyebrows are tweezed, what you’re wearing or where you’re from. It is so refreshing.

4. Materialism is a real issue. When I’m traveling for the month I get so many gifting requests from brands (some new and some that I have a great relationships/love!). When I’m home I don’t notice the boxes as much but being here for the month, where it is hard for UPS to get to us and Prime delivery does not exist, I really notice the excess of my job. Remember when getting a delivery to your front door felt special? I miss that feeling. I am really wanting to limit the excess in my job/life.

5. Letting your kids be kids is really important. Where my family’s house is, is very remote. The streets are quiet and our driveway is .3 miles from the road. This allowed so much freedom for our kids this summer. They went on walks alone, they took our 4 year old around the lake, their time to themselves allowed for more conversations (and arguments!) and it felt so good to not feel pressure to control every situation. I constantly ask myself “are my kids annoying me or are they just being kids?” when I find myself feeling irritated. More letting my kids be kids when we get home!