Now is the perfect time to do a Summer Reflection. It's simple, but your future self will thank you!
Just ask yourself these four questions (you can also download the Light Summer Guide and use the reflection pages which start on page #21).
☀️ What felt light or joyful this summer?
☀️ What felt dark, heavy or hard this summer?
☀️ What did we do this summer that I would like to continue as a tradition next summer? Or what traditions did we do that I want to continue?
☀️ What do I want to remember when I'm planning next summer? What would I do differently? What are the lessons I learned that I don't want to forget for next year?
For bonus points add your reflections to a calendar reminder for May 2025 🗓️
If we haven’t met, hi! I’m Morgan and I help women feel lighter in their life.
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Here is my reflection for Summer 2024:
☀️ What felt light or joyful this summer?
Creating: I learned to do abstract watercolor & really enjoyed doing it outside in the evening to take in the sunset. I loved that I was creating for myself, but by modeling this behavior I noticed that C was more likely to create as well - my favorite was when we were creating together.
Playing: My summer challenge with C was to play as many of our board games as possible and we made it through a lot! This was a pretty simple/low time requirement challenge but was a great forcing function/reminder to leave our favorite games out to play after dinner. My favorite was playing Monopoly Go! as a family in the evening lit by candles.
Doing Less: We had fewer parties, company or plans which gave more space for going to bed early, reading, after dinner swims & relaxing
Living Vicariously: My son, C, spent most of his summer volunteering at Summer Camp, it was fun to watch him find such joy and belonging. As parents it's awesome to see our kids thrive and I really got to do that this summer - putting aside other activities to prioritize his space was 100% worth doing.
Noticing the Sparkles: In August I made an intentional point of noticing one small sparkle a day - this is always such a fun practice that you truly get better at the more you do it.
☀️ What felt dark, heavy or hard this summer?
Doing Less: Summer is often the time when we really connect with friends and family and we didn't do as much of that this summer. It's always about finding balance and as much as I loved doing a little less, I also missed that time connecting!
Surfing Less: For years I've defined how good my summer is by the number of times I've wake surfed or the number of new tricks I've learned. If I did that this summer, I'd have a failing grade. Although surfing was far from a highlight this year, I also didn't let it define my summer, so I've noted the light even on this one!
Finding Purpose: After finishing 29029 I've definitely struggled with what's next and defining my next milestone/challenge. I can get caught in what's next vs being in the moment and definitely noted getting caught in that this summer.
☀️ What did we do this summer that I would like to continue as a tradition next summer? Or what traditions did we do that I want to continue?
Volunteering at 29029 in Whistler was an amazing family experience. Plus, was reminded that Whistler is still one of my favorite places on the planet, it was our first time going in the summer and it did not disappoint.
Blue Angles/Sea Fair has been a tradition we've been doing with friends for 5+ years and is always a summer highlight. This year C and I learned that the planes aren't as loud if you float and watch them from the water! ✈️
Northern Lights/Star Gazing: I saw my first Northern Lights in May and it was a magical experience. Next year I'd love to go somewhere darker to look for them and watch the stars.
Kevin's Rule Weekend: C and I went to a Warhammer event together (his choice), it was a great reminder to let him fully pick an activity that he wants to do and go all in!
☀️ What do I want to remember when I'm planning next summer? What would I do differently? What are the lessons I learned that I don't want to forget for next year?
Be home the last week of camp. Anyone who went to camp knows that the last week can be pretty emotional and leaving on the Wednesday wasn't the best planning 😉
Book my own "playdates". I had a few awesome random girl time hangouts and wish that I had more, so next year I am going to be more intentional about booking these.
Create. I loved my creating challenge and will continue it next summer (and through the year as well!) What a great reminder for modeling behavior and doing something fun that isn't on a screen.
Take more pictures. I barely took any pictures this summer so next year I want to make sure I capture more memories.