Summer Reimagined: Finding the Simple Joys

As we continue our summer reimagined journey, I want to be transparent. This series idea developed from my own personal experiences with summer, specifically those that are not ideal. I love aspects of summer. However, the lack of routine, expectations from myself, and simply the weather tend to put me in down moods. While this typically is the case for people in the colder/darker seasons, I have experienced this during the summer.

Through this experience, I have grown to value the little things that brighten my day or the moments that make me forget my thoughts or ideas. The simple joys have been what bring me light and comfort in the summer. So I thought, why don't we seek these things out instead of just waiting for them to happen. Why don't we find ways to make each day more joyful? This summer, let's do that!

My Simple Joys of Summer

I want to share some simple joys I have found throughout the summers that bring me back to the present. These joys make me feel better and maybe they will help you feel better this summer.

I have learned that simple joys are things that are mundane and overlooked to most, but catch you off guard at the best times in the best ways. It's like when the smell of sunscreen floats through the wind and transports you to the most tropical oasis. It could be the way the sand follows you at the beach, how it exfoliates your skin, and graces your bedsheets. Maybe it's the summer rain showers that bless the day with gentle thunder as you watch that nostalgic 80s show.

These simple joys make you feel like you're high on life, you forget anything bad or troubling and feel free. It's eating hot dogs, dressing festive, and watching fireworks color the night-sky. Hearing your baby cousin laugh or that first sip of coffee feeling. These simple joys can be something new or something full of nostalgia.

One of the biggest joys of mine is the movie theatre. The smell of popcorn seeping through the walls, the cool icee on a hot summer day, watching the previews anticipating the start of the summer blockbuster. I think what makes these simple joys so special and impactful are two things: who you are with and where it takes you! The family vacations and transformative recipes are things that make us feel thankful, loved, excited, happy, etc.

We were made to feel! Society has made us afraid to be emotional or joyful, but to worry and be in constant fix it mode. I have realized that when you take time to find the simple joys you not only make the most out of your summer, but out of life. This is something you can take into every single season.

This Summer....

I encourage you to search for the simple joys! Look for the things that catch you off guard, feel your soul, and make you excited again. Comment below a simple joy that you love during the summer. I can't wait to keep this Summer Reimagined series going! Talk to you next week! Ps. Have a Happy Fourth of July!

-Kami