How To Let Go Of Summer With Gratitude & Life Lately

Feeling anxious for the new season ahead? Here are encouraging reminders of how to enjoy the moment and also feel ready for what’s next.

Summer always ends.

News flash I know.

For me, I’ve known Summer ends for 42 years.

And yet…

I feel her ending more deeply now.

As if she is pressing harder, more intentionally into the nooks and crannies of my memory bank. Looking for a soft place to land her unique lock box, stuffed full of treasured time…seasoned with salt.

For us…Summer tends to be the season in which we create some of our most precious memories.

And it’s in the letting go of her that is tending to sting a bit more, with each passing year.

Today on the blog, I am sharing some of our favorite Summer memories and how I am feeling about Summer slowly ending, along with what’s really helping my heart right now as I look to what’s next.

Maybe it will help you too…

Follow me friend.

How To Let Go Of Summer With Gratitude & Life Lately

I suspect, Summer with kids under your roof, holds space perhaps a little (or a lot) differently than Summer spent without kids in tow.

For us, with three teen and pre-teen daughters, Summer hits with a definitive boisterous beginning and stops with a certain screechy halt.

Whereas Fall…

Fall bends and bows to the heavy weight champ of Winter.

And Winter, gently falls asleep with purpose, allowing Spring to take the wheel, spinning us up.

While Summer?

She bounces into town with great joy, singing, parties and parades!

And then?

She leaves.

For me, it’s always hard to let her go, as she takes her last Summer sunset breath with her.

No longer able to reach for the refreshing random and relaxed days she takes with her, she disappears under the inky Earth boundary, out of sight.

As Summer’s welcomed familiarity slips under the surface, Fall begins to ripple in with less familiarity and more questions.

What is this going to feel like?

What is this going to look like?

What is this going to work like...this year.

Because, every Fall is a little bit different than the last.

Yes, Fall ushers in a few more untidy unknown’s than most seasons.

If you’re like our family, then perhaps there are also a lot of things packed inside the suitcase of Fall, that we can’t quite plan for, see or trace the outline of yet.

Like a silhouette, we see and understand it’s there…walking towards us.

But the wrinkles on her face have surely changed since last year…and we just aren’t totally sure what to expect when she walks in the door, gracing us with her presence.

With Fall, there are sure to be fault lines of new schedules and furrowed brows of…I’m not sure, I don’t know, or I haven’t thought about that yet.

But also?

While Fall does pack surprises of schedule juggling, new social circles and shorter sun filled days.

Fall also packs what we usually need and desire right about now, whether we realize it or not.

Fall brings us what we need, when we need it.

In the form of expectant hope, fresh air, fresh starts and fresh rhythms.

Rhythms that if we lean into them, discipline us towards growth and the time tested favor of re-established healthy habits.

In one week, our three girls will be headed through three different school doors.

Eve leading the way, embarking on her new season of entering high school, Maci beginning 7th grade and Livvy starting 4th grade.

If I’m being honest?

It all feels a little touch and go right now with my emotions.

I am deeply grateful for the soul reviving Summer spent largely, at the beach.

And, I am also excited about our soon to be, new routines and my new professional services launching in my interior decorating and home staging business, Home with Heather.

And yet?

There is a subtle grief lurking beyond the corners of my smile and eyes…

Like a Summer storm sneaking up over my shoulder…

For one more Summer has been checked off.

So what do we do with these clashing emotions?

Well for starters?

I recommend sitting with them.

Friend, if you’re feeling a little blurry too right now.

Remember, it’s Ok.

Feel the feelings.

These blurry feelings are not totally new and they are oh so very normal.

And then?

Reflect on the blessings of so many warm moments.

When we reflect on the gifts of treasured time spent, we are practicing gratitude.

And practicing gratitude leads to a deeper sense of joy.

Also?

I have found what works best for me, during this particular stretch of time is to –

Let August be August.

Enjoy the last water soaked days and as Summer starts her salute to Fall…

Accept the invitation to follow her lead.

Fold into Fall, when the time is right for you.

Lean into and listen to the imaginary whispers overheard from August to Fall

Whispers of…

“Not yet.”

“I’ll let go soon enough…just not yet.“

“So, sit down, take a breath and relax.“

We’ve got time…so fold into the moment that is unfolding in front of you.

And know…

That the tone of relaxing into readiness for whatever is next…

Will allow you to rest into the right now minute happening now.

And that posture?

It has a way of triggering trust.

A trust that, reminds us that we can pause right here, breathe in the moment fully and enjoy the scenery.

And when the wave of what’s coming next reaches your feet?

You’ll be ready.

The next season that is stretched out, lying in wait, ahead of us…just past the breaking waves?

That water will reach us…and get it’s turn to crash onto the shore.

Just not yet.

Living on a prayer,

Heather

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