School’s Out For Summer!

The school summer holidays start today. Six weeks stretch before us.

For me, end of term is a transition…and we all know transitions can be tricky!😳

It can be easy to rush in to the next thing, to let these moments pass without consciously thinking about what’s actually happening or setting yourself up for what’s next.

Thankfully, I’ve learned the importance of taking time to honour transitions, even (and especially) the everyday ones.

How am I honouring this one?

A couple of days ago, myself and a group of class parents stayed on after school pick up and acknowledged our children’s teachers; thanking them for their dedication and commitment throughout the year.

Yesterday I also took time to mark the end of term for myself. I,

• gave myself permission to work-lite.
• went out for a picnic lunch with husband and talked about the highs and lows of this last academic yea
• had a family pizza evening and ice cream meringues.

I have one more week of work before I take my annual August holiday. Given I’m having a milestone birthday during it, I figured it’s time to take summer break up a notch – think August Fest!🎉

How to know what you want your summer break to look and feel like?

I did a collage! It felt like a natural time for a new one after summer solstice anyway. You can see a snapshot of it on the photo accompanying this blog post. I’ve put it up on the noticeboard in the room where I meditate each morning: a helpful reminder to myself of what my ingredients are for a perfect summer.

I see outdoor picnics, a simple holiday in nature with a fire bowl, a celebratory outdoors evening meal with lots of fairy lights, and a blank page.

Oh the joy of a blank page!

I finished a creative writing project I’ve been working on last week. I’m looking forward to doodling, writing who knows what, capturing thoughts and ideas…

I’m also planning my re-entry for after summer break.

When the new school term starts I’ll take the first day off. It’s a tradition I have. The day my daughter started school I came home, had a long soak in the bath, ate chocolate and watched the movie Bad Moms on Netflix. It was wonderful!

If you’re taking a break in the weeks ahead, I wonder,

• How could you mark the transition in to YOUR summer holiday?
• What are the key ingredients for your ideal summer?
• How could you plan your re-entry after the break?

However your summer looks, I hope you take time to check in with yourself.💝

Let’s flourish together!

Arlene x

PS. For those of you in the southern hemisphere, I realise you’re in the second part of winter, when the energy begins to stir beneath the surface, but not quite ready to show itself on the surface yet.  What are your key ingredients for this time you’re in?