As we approach the 4th of July holiday, we are reminded of how fleeting and sometimes chaotic the summer months can be. Kids are out of school, back home from college, have activities, clubs, and camps they need to be taken to … Yeesh! Parents can feel like their responsibilities keep multiplying by the second in the summer, and while the kids are enjoying the bliss of no school, no homework, no stress of the drama and gossip of classmates, parents feel like they are being pulled in every direction with no time for themselves.

Whether you’re a parent or not, ‘me time’ is a necessity, not a luxury. For both parents and non-parents, summers can fill up quickly with barbecues, happy hours, lunch dates, and anything else your friends and family seem to think of. This all sounds like great fun, right?! Well, absolutely. But that doesn’t mean your all important ‘me time’ should suffer.

Taking time for yourself can enhance your awareness of your personal needs, leading to an overall improvement in your quality of life. Addressing any stress, anxiety, or fatigue is essential for preserving your overall mental and physical wellness. By making self-care a priority, you’ll unlock increased happiness, relaxation, and the capacity to enjoy life to the fullest!

Need some ideas or inspiration on how to spend your ‘me time’? Well, good thing you’re part of a wonderful community of like-minded individuals who need time for themselves as well! Here are some activities and goals of fellow ModernWellers:

Go paddle boarding every week (I personally love renting on Lake Bde Maka Ska!)
Lakeview Terrace Farmers Market
5th annual PUSH triathlon
Sauna Social on the rooftop
Great River Shakespeare Festival
Travel 1,000 miles on the bike (Minneapolis trails & parkways)

The beauty of ‘me time’ is that you have complete control of how you would like to spend it. You have the opportunity to do whatever you want without having to worry about pleasing others. Woah. Whatever you want? I see how that statement can cause some thoughts of ‘Well, there’s so many things I could do… where do I start?’ Let me ease these thoughts for you and give you some more ideas!

Looking for ideas of activities you can do from home?

Cook a new recipe
Read
Write
Sit outside with no agenda
Yoga
Take a bath with all the salts and scrubs
Color/draw
Meditate
Do your skin care routine with a face mask

Want to take yourself on a little adventure outside of the house?

Mani-pedi
Explore a new walking/biking trail
Try a new workout class
Can never go wrong with shopping
Wander around a book store and pick something you normally wouldn’t
Pick a new hobby to try, such as knitting or scrapbooking, and go get the supplies
Try a new class such as cooking or pottery
Visit a museum or gallery

All in all, absolutely spend that precious time with your kids who are home from college or on summer vacation, family who you may see all the time or rarely ever, and friends who support you and root for you every step of the way. These are all essential for a fulfilling summer. However, so is your valuable ‘me time’. Make sure to carve out essential time for your self-care, you absolutely deserve it!