Summer is a great time to rethink your “Normal”.  It’s time to be decisive and purposeful about how you will spend the next few months.  Relaxing with family?  Trying new adventures? Acquiring new skills or habits?  Just chilling out?  You choose!

• Start with what you know.   Upon reflection this morning, I realized that while some of my details have changed summer’s arrival, a lot of my new normal is remarkably like my old normal.  I still get up at 5 and exercise, have some quiet time before heading out to work.  I will still work and travel and take care of business.  So, really, the new normal involves the shift of my daily schedule and the need for better communication, both of which are complete manageable.

• Put everything on the calendar  – EVERYTHING!  And let the involved parties (family, friends, coworkers, etc.) in on the schedule.  For example, my 12 year old and I sat down yesterday, reviewed his band camp and scout camp schedule, and made sure he had all of his info in his calendar so there are no surprises later!

• Take advantage of this opportunity to make changes to your Normal.  Make it on YOUR terms.  What do you want to do with your summer?  Projects, goals, new habits, old habits, things to learn?

• Pare it Down. A friend and I were discussing the idea of pruning – cutting away non-producing parts of a plant to make the remaining parts more productive.  As I lingered over my second cup of coffee this morning instead of rushing off to drop someone at school, I appreciated my more simplified summer schedule. What else can we do to simplify our responsibilities and routines?

• Relax and enjoy.  I’ve had cranky thoughts, with the transition to summer and still navigating the chaos of a kitchen remodel. But as I watered my garden and enjoyed the beautiful new day, I reminded myself to appreciate all the parts – the good parts and the challenging ones –  of this time of transition.

So, this week, I challenge you to spend a little time crafting your own “New Normal” for summer. Be intentional, simplify and enjoy!