I am always so amazed by time. Yes, I know time is a social construct, and yes, I know that the days are long but the years are short. But holy moley… I can’t believe it is already summer.

Summer for me starts at the end of summer classes- this summer, it started on June 17, after I had graded exams and reviewed student videos. I was getting ready for a much-needed vacation to the Georgia mountains, then to Dollywood. I was looking forward to rest, rejuvenation, and simply time away. I told myself that I could “restart” work after July 1st. I would be home from vacation and ready to jump back in.

Or would I be? Spoiler alert! I was not. I was tired- like in my bones tired. I returned home with a mountain of laundry and felt angry about being away from home and work. I sat in my apartment and stared into space. I felt like I had zero ambition, zero motivation. My mind went to a million worst-case scenarios… and, of course, very few of them, if any, were grounded in reality. I started thinking about needing to get all of the laundry done, as well as update the website, read a new book on ADHD I ordered, finish paperwork for my upcoming LPC license renewal… and, of course, buy everything my niece needs for her first aid kit that she will take with her to college. And… I HAD TO DO IT ALL RIGHT NOW. IN THIS MOMENT. THERE IS NO TIME TO WASTE! I AM ALREADY BEHIND!

Now, sitting here a few days later, I recognize that I am not “behind” and that being “behind” isn’t really a thing, anyway. I mean, there isn’t an All-Knowing Glowing Checklist in the sky with times and dates of what I need to do, and when it needs to be done, so that I am “not behind.” There is no checklist saying, “Ok, by the time you are 30 years old you should have…” or “By the time you are 70 years old… It’s too late, so who cares?”

I am writing this to remind myself- and everyone else- that being “behind” isn’t a thing, especially in the beautiful, glorious, long days of summer.

And on that note- take some intentional time for you. If you start thinking you are “behind” and should “speed up”- it is ok to remind yourself that those thoughts are just that- THOUGHTS. They aren’t facts. They are simply our brain’s way to attempt to find some type of control over things that we can’t control.

Take a deep breath. Remind yourself you are doing great work- and rest isn’t something you need to earn. You deserve rest and fun at any time of year! But especially during the summer.