Summer Mindset

Today I baked a cake. Not just any cake, but a peppermint chocolate cake. Back in November, I was tempted by a decadent picture on the magazine at the grocery store checkout. The mouth-watering, rich chocolate slice beckoned to me, “Don’t I look delicious?” Its frosting, coated with festive peppermint sprinkles, looked so indulgent. So calorific. “Yes, you look delicious,” I whispered. I imagined the cake as the Christmas Eve centerpiece, sitting atop a pedestal, perhaps garnished with a sprig of holly. In my mind, family is gathered around the table. The room is lit by candlelight and the flickering flames make the cake look magical. The evening feels magical.

In reality, Christmas Eve was an epic “Pinterest Fail.” There was no cake. To be honest, I can’t even remember what we had for dinner. I was exhausted—still recovering from a bad cold—and was probably mustering the energy to wrap the last of the presents. Instead of the sweetness of peppermint and chocolate gracing my plate, my dessert was cherry-flavored cold medicine poured into a spoon.

Fast forward to today—Memorial Day—the unofficial start of summer. I began the day with anticipation of adventures and projects that lie ahead. Wrapping up the school year, my summer won’t officially start until June 16. (Cruel, really. We’re done with testing, and we had no snow days this year. Still, I’ve got three more weeks with my wild crew.) Then, I need to report back to work on August 14th.  That’s less than two full months. However, if I stretch the season from this first glorious three-day weekend all the way until that last Monday of Labor Day weekend, I give myself more time with a summer mindset.

Why would I do this? Aren’t I just tricking myself into thinking summer is longer than it really is? Maybe…but if it works, who cares? I like summer mindset better. School year me is tired. She has a sore throat and her body aches. She has math tests to grade and a room to pack up. She feels out of shape and out of patience. Summer me is motivated. I made my summer bucket list and, as usual, it’s full of ideas and incredibly unrealistic. But right now, at the start of summer, anything is possible! Plan some adventures with friends and family? Top priority! Vacation to London? Can’t wait! Train my dog? Yes, I can! Clean out my entire house? Absolutely! Get in shape, cook healthy dinners, learn to speak Spanish, volunteer, hike, bike, write more, read more? Sure, I’ll have plenty of time! It’s summer!

Stretching summer gives me more time to complete this completely unrealistic list. And it gives me more time with a summer mindset. Summer me is more positive. Less stressed. More optimistic and energetic. With a summer mindset, I feel invincible. Like I can have my cake and eat it too. And I plan to do just that.



 

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