Intentional Summer: How Moms Can Navigate Summer Chaos
Summer is magic, and as a mom, the joys of sharing experiences only found in summer with my children–fun at the beach, barbecues with friends and family, longer days and warm evenings at the local playground, are irreplaceable. July has been filled with these moments with my kids, but there’s also been another side to this summer–it’s been busy! I’m here to acknowledge what I’m sure many of you have felt at some point this summer; keeping the momentum of summer magic, while balancing the responsibilities of life, can also be chaotic and overwhelming.
Pre-kids, summer was a sigh of relief–it represented sunshine, vacation, rest, and reprieve. Summer as a mom is still more sunshine and vacation, but if I’m honest, finding that same sense of sweet summer relief is hard as a mom. So, how do I find that relief now? I take the time to set an intentional summer.
Here’s how I set an Intentional Summer.
Step One, Acknowledgment. It’s not just okay to give voice to challenge, chaos, and overwhelm, it humanizes us, creating space for the pressure to release. If there’s one thing I’ve learned while balancing the trifecta of mom-hood, career, and personal life, it’s that vulnerability and acknowledgment of the harder parts of life are key, allowing us to reset.
Step Two, Intention Setting. Intention setting is my north star whenever I’m navigating chaos, it reminds me to re-ground and refocus. Journal about the following prompts to help land on your summer intention:
How do I want to feel this summer? What do I want to prioritize?
What do I need to do more of to feel this way? What do I need to do less of?
What support or accountability do I need to allow me to feel this way?
In this last month of summer, I encourage you to embrace the chaos of summer with grace and to lean into your intentions–let them guide you just as I’ve let mine!
One of my intentions has been to create more spaces of community, vulnerability, and intentions in-person. I’m excited to announce that on September 11th, I’ll be hosting a free workshop on Setting Intentions for the School Year at Surf + Sand Co.
Please save the date! More details to come.
- Katie
