Let nothing perturb you, nothing frighten you. All things pass. God does not change. Patience achieves everything.”
St. Teresa of Avila
This St. Teresa of Avila quote always puts my mind at ease, “All things pass. God does not change.” Whatever stress may be happening in our lives, we must remember it will pass and the Lord will help us. I think summertime is a perfect time for a body and heart to get the refresh they most likely deserve. I know I need to take some time for self and soul care, and I plan on utilizing some of these 7 ways below.
Whatever stress may be happening in our lives, we must remember it will pass and the Lord will help us.
Alyssa Sanchez
1. Enjoy Water
Water has always been symbolic for cleansing and washing away; in water we are clean and refreshed. We float and feel lighter. I have always enjoyed being in water, and whether it’s in the shower or pool, I have the same refreshed feeling.
During the summer, most of us utilize pools, beaches, or lakes to escape the heat. If you find yourself with the opportunity to enjoy water, take it. Spend your time feeling refreshed by the water, and allow it to wash away any negativity.
2. Take Evenings Off
If you’re like me and try to make plans every evening after work, you’ll benefit by taking an evening off. Working from 9-5 means my free time from 5-bed time is when I try and get everything done like laundry, blog writing, and cleaning. Dedicating one day a week off should be included.
Now is the time to start planning for at least one evening a week off. By planning your week you’ll be able to plan your to‐do’s around your free evening. Once you set your day, stick to it! This is advice for myself, too. It’s way too easy for me to sneak in a task on my days off, but that will defeat the purpose. Order in dinner, watch a movie, read a book, treat yourself to what relaxes you.
3. Go to Adoration
I’ve been trying to attend adoration weekly for a little over 2 years now, and I still feel the same positive impact each time I go. Nothing refreshes my body and heart more than spending time resting with the Lord. Whether I go for an hour or just ten minutes, the Lord gives me the same feeling of peace.
Find out when your parish or a church nearby exposes the Blessed Sacrament, and take some time to rest at adoration. Bring the family to enjoy this time together, and even treat the kiddos to ice cream afterwards. Adoration can be a great weekly family activity.
4. Make a Summer Playlist & Dance
Music is integral in my life, I am always listening to either low-fi beats, my favorite songs, or a certain catchy song on loop. My spotify account is a mess of curated playlists and saved songs from all sorts of genres, ready to play to fit my mood.
For my time spent around the pool or with family, I am in charge of the music. I have carefully curated a Clean Party Mix playlist for these occasions with music fit for every age and ethnicity in my family. I encourage you to make your own playlist for yourself or your family, keeping in mind what can get you to dance, relax, and have fun.
5. Refresh a Hobby
I love my hobbies, my main one being cosplay, where I make and buy costumes and do makeup looks for my favorite characters from movies and shows. Seven years have gone into this hobby, and I expect many more to come as this hobby has turned into a passion. However, I tend to find myself lacking in motivation and creativity at times. During these instances, I turn to my methods of igniting the spark of creativity I need to continue refreshing and bringing a whole new life to my passion.
Take a look at your hobbies, and find out what you can do this summer to refresh and bring a new spark to your passions. If you love to garden, try growing a new plant. If you like to paint, visit a new scenic place for inspiration. I like to think our hobbies are really the gifts the Lord gave us to brings us life and to show His life through us.
6. Read
Simple. Reading can allow us to be transported to new places, enlighten our minds, or refresh our souls. I trace my love of reading back to my grandmother who always had a book in hand. I remember being able to spend a few summers staying solo at my grandparents house. My grandma would make fun day plans for us, and some included stopping by the small local library where I was able to choose any book I’d like. We would then take our chosen books back home, and lounge by the pool and read to our hearts content.
If there’s a book you’ve been meaning to get around to, now’s the time! Buy that paperback, or download your ebook and dedicate some time this summer to reading it bits at time. If you’re a binger (like me) you’ll probably unknowingly spend hours reading your books, but if you’re looking to get into reading I suggest going through a chapter or half a chapter at a time. If you find yourself going through more than that at a time, great! If not, maybe change books or come back to it later. I like to think books can choose us.
7. Choose Gratitude
There has been such a drastic difference in my life since I’ve chosen to intentionally be grateful. When I choose gratitude, I find myself less angry, annoyed, or stressed. Choosing gratitude, for me, is being grateful for the minor inconveniences that occur during my day and surrendering my feelings of annoyance. Making an effort to be grateful everyday can turn gratitude into a way of life. Let’s refresh our mindsets with gratitude this summer.
The secret of happiness is to live moment by moment and to thank God for what He is sending us every day in His goodness.”
St. Gianna Beretta Molla
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