Every year around this time, Gretchen Rubin and Liz Craft have an episode of the Happier podcast called “Design Your Summer.” It always sounds very luxurious and exciting! They talk about trips, museum visits, and things like “The Summer of Proust” or “The Summer of Virginia Woolf.”
Today at work one of my clients was telling me her plans for the summer, which included an Alaskan cruise. Then she asked what I was doing. Er… well, I’ll be spending a day in Tallahassee?
My summer probably doesn’t sound super-exciting. My job doesn’t give me any PTO, so I’ll mostly be working (I can get as much time off as I want- without pay. So I’ll be at work.) Our family is borderline dysfunctional when it comes to trips (it’s a long story) so we won’t be taking any together. But! I do have a couple mini-trips planned.
At the end of June, my daughter is going to sleep away camp at FSU for a week. She and a friend are doing it together, so I’ll drive them both up to Tallahassee. I’ll be honest- I’m not especially looking forward to the trip there, for various reasons. BUT! After I drop them off, I’ll have the rest of that night and the next day for a little mini-break.
I’m not exactly sure what I’ll do for that day and a half, but the important thing is I can do whatever I want. My husband can’t come with me because he’s working, so I’ll be on my own, and I’m looking forward to it.
Then, at the end of July my son and I will be making our annual drive to Texas. He goes to school at Baylor, in Waco. His freshman year we decided to drive because it was easier to transport all his stuff. Sophomore year we had to drive his car there, and now this year we once again have to get his car to school. Believe it or not, I’m looking forward to it!
I’ve come to really enjoy this road trip. I get to spend two solid days with my son in the car, and we get along well. Then I’ll spend a couple days in Waco, helping him move into his house and getting everything set up before I fly back to Florida.
So those are my trips. Additionally, I have a couple themes for the summer. The first one is “The Summer of Strength.” I need a theme to keep me on track. This week, I plan to go to the gym on Tuesday and Friday for leg day. Sunday I did a ten mile trail run, and my legs are still a little sore from that, making me question my strength schedule for the week.
Why did I do a ten mile trail run? Do I have a long race coming up? (Nope- not till the winter- more on that decision coming soon!) I have to scale back on my longer runs if it means my legs will be fresher for my strength training. It’s not “The Summer of Long Runs,” it’s the “Summer of Strength.”
I also WANT it to be “The Summer of Reading.” My fantasy is to have a week all by myself in a remote cabin, where I just read and read. Hahahahaha! Obviously, that won’t be happening. But I’m going to declare the week my daughter is at camp, “The Week of Reading.” I’ll still be going to work and doing my usual activities, but I can definitely carve out extra time that week to just read. The only problem with that is, now I feel like I need extra amazing books for that week- I don’t want to waste the week of reading on anything so-so. The pressure is on.
I’m linking up with Kim and Zenaida for their Tuesday Topics!
How about you? Do you have any themes for your summer? Any trips planned? Do you think about designing your summer?
Do you have any great book recommendations for my Week of Reading?
48 Responses
I really love a good road trip! I don’t know how much time you and your son have, but if you haven’t spent time in Pensacola, it is worth a stopover. The beaches are SO white and pretty. Even if you just get out of the car to stretch your legs and walk on the beach, it is worth it. They also have some fun seafood restaurants. Also when you pass through Baton Rouge, if you like Vietnamese, there are some good Pho restaurants; or if you don’t like Pho, Izzo’s Illegal Burrito, Burbank is right near the LSU campus and is a fun and quick Mexican option.
Books! I would say anything by Kate Quinn or most of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s recent stuff (I am not as big of a fan of her early books) are an easy win! You can find more ideas here if you need them https://travelspot06.blogspot.com/p/bookshelf.html
Thank you Kyria!!! I will definitely check out your book ideas. And, we’ve never stopped in Pensacola. I would like to, and I’d also liek to stop in Baton Rouge. We’re always just trying to get there as quickly as possible, but maybe this time we’ll take a little more time.
It may not be an Alaskan Cruise Trip, but I think you’re going to have quite a fulfilling summer if you manage it all! Some me-time, quality time on that road trip, working on your strength, and reading – bliss! We’re heading into winter and I’m just looking forward to training for my Half at the end of July, decluttering and reading. I may have some work trips lined up to add some spice but otherwise, I’m really just looking forward to the simple things and finding my flow again which I feel I’ve lost a bit.
Oh yes- I forget it’s not summer for everyone! Running, decluttering and reading sound like good goals to me.
I enjoyed Horse!
Sounds like a busy summer to me.
I need to spice mine up… it’s always running, hiking, trail walks, boating and some races. Not that it’s bad but boating and hiking have lost its thrill.
I may join the gym and do that in the am and even drag myself out of bed to run while it’s cooler on non gym days. Oh and start knitting a blanket for my new granddaughter!!!
No travel except for NYC in June (1 night) and in July for work (2 nites.)
Well, you always seem pretty busy to me! And you just had a Florida trip. I would say a new granddaughter is VERY exciting!
The road trip with your son sounds fun! I generally DON’T like road trips but can see how they are more enjoyable with an adult child. 😉 When I moved back from Charlotte, my mom flew out and drove back with me. I have really good memories from that trip. We split it up over 3 days with a stop in Louisville and a stop in Chicago to visit my brother that lives there. I had a special play list with songs I knew my mom would like (lots of Beatles songs!) and we listened to a book on CD (this was before Audible was an option).
Our summer isn’t all that different from the rest of the year since our kids are in daycare/summer programs. Plus it’s the best season of the year in Minnesota so we don’t really want to go anywhere. We always take a 5-day trip to my parents – we’ll go in late July this year. But what I’m most excited about is my trip to Banff in August! I’m meeting one of my best friends (that I met through blogging) and we’ll do some hiking! We wanted to visit Banff during the summer so we wouldn’t have to worry about snowpack, etc.
For book recommendations, I’d have to know what you are looking for – something page turny? Character or plot driven?
Definitely plot driven! I’ve learned that “character driven” books don’t work for me.
Road trips with little kids are sooooo not fun. But that road trip with your mom sounds REALLY fun! Hopefully my son will look back on our road trips with that same amount of fondness.
Your trip to Banff sounds amazing. I was there once a long time ago, but it was in the winter. I would like hiking in August better.
Hello Beautiful is pretty character driven but hopefully it has enough plot to feel propulsive. That’s my fave book of 2023 so far and I think you’ve checked it out or will check it out soon from the library!
Well, enough people have loved it that I think it will be good, even if it is character driven. If it’s your favorite book of 2023 so far then I’m curious to read it!
I think we can put way too much pressure on ourselves to “plan” these sorts of things. While it is nice to have some anchor points for our summer (or any other season), I wonder if the advent of social media has made this all more pressurized? I, for one, think your events sound lovely. A more relaxed pace with the kids and a road trip with your son (and some solo time after dropping your daughter off at camp). Those are great!! While I don’t love long road trips with my younger kids at this point, I do LOVE doing road trips with adults. Such great conversations and a unique way to travel and see lots of new sights. I feel like road trips are a bit like people watching. Different states – I assume – have a different look and feel in terms of topography, flora/fauna, and even things like road signs and what stores are more common. I remember driving down to the US from Canada and as we drove further and further south being fascinated with how different everything looked. Unique trees, restaurants I’d never heard of, and even seeing road signs measured in miles instead of kms felt so fun!
Yes, I really like road trips (WITH ADULTS.) It is fun to see how things change from state to state- you don’t get to see that when you fly.
And yes- I’m sure social media has changed the way we plan our summers. I definitely need a relaxed pace.
I can totally relate to this! I know so many people that spend the summer traveling, going to concerts and festivals, etc. But I mainly just stay home and maybe do a few day trips here and there. I know it sounds boring but I just really like having a routine lol. Plus Summer is my least favorite month so I don’t like to travel too much during that time anyway.
Yes, I like having a routine as well. I don’t want to end the summer exhausted because I did so much… but yes, maybe we’re just boring, ha ha.
I love your summer plan. You’re working with what you have – unpaid PTO, traditional vacations don’t work for the family, and the *musts* of taking kids where they need to be – PLUS adding in things that you want to do.
In summer 2020 I spent a lot of my free time in Backyardia. I set up a beach chair with a footrest in the shade, and read like I was on the beach. It was fabulous.
Hmm, I like the way you sum things up! That’s a good way of putting it- I’m working with what I have. I like your 2020 trip to “Backyardia!”
Well, I think your summer sounds fabulous! Your trip to TX with your son sounds nice… all that time with him & then you get to fly back home! My summer is going to be the summer of “ no obligatory long races, ” LOL
Ha, I guess you’ve done your fair share of long races this spring!
My husband and I both feel a lot of pressure to take a trip this summer because we just celebrated a big anniversary, but neither of us really wants to. *sigh* I think travel is great for people who like to travel, but honestly I like my house and I like to stay home. LOL.
That being said, I also think it’s really fun to have a day to myself in a new city where I can browse bookstores and go to coffeeshops and meander through parks at my leisure! Your summer sounds perfect to me and I can’t wait to hear how it all turns out for you.
You remind me of my sister- she HATES to travel! She likes her house, and gets stressed about leaving her cats. For me, it’s stressful to travel with the entire family, but I’m with you- I love to wander around a new city by myself for a day.
The summer of strength sounds like a great plan. I am really focusing on strength this summer too. I never enjoy long runs in the heat of summer. I hope you do get to enjoy your alone time and find something fun to do!
Thank you Deborah! You’re right- summer is a good time to focus on strength because you do it IN THE GYM where it’s cool. Long runs are better in the other seasons!
I don’t know about everyone else, but your summer sounds amazing! That reading week is the stuff of my dreams! And mini-trips?! Those are my favorites! I am not so much a summer person (I tend to wilt in the heat), so prior to having my girl I took all my PTO in the fall. I don’t really have that option now, so much of my summer is built around making camp drop-offs and my morning meetings happen. My theme, though, is finding intentional time for myself (and remembering that that is ok!!)….
That’s a good theme! I guess that’s also my theme, indirectly. Making time to read is definitely finding time for myself- reading always gets shoved to the back burner when I’m busy with the family.
I know what you mean about some of those episodes that outline oodles of “plans”. Those types of things sometimes make me question our own plans, or those of the boys. I’ve listened to episodes outlining kids going to week after week of very brainy sounding or exotic camps and events and then lots of travel on the off weeks and then I sometimes start feeling like…. oh gosh, my older son’s main plans are a daily 1.5 hour long strength and conditioning class M-Th, a 1x weekly tennis lesson. some piano lessons sprinkled in and working at McDonald’s. Are we “lacking” because they aren’t going to a bunch of fancy camps or other “enriching activities”?! Should I have signed them up for more?? But honestly, my kids are pretty generally busy year-round and I think they welcome the break and free time to see friends and go swimming, etc. Also, I never went to constant organized camps when I was a kid- my summers were pretty old school 90s style- tons of biking around town, ice cream, swimming and sprinklers with friends, sleepovers, etc.- and those are literally the best memories of my life! So I feel comfortable with what we’ve decided, for us.
I think your summer sounds lovely and I LOVE the idea of “summer of strength”!!! Strength training is my fav, so I love to read/ hear about what people are doing for strength work. I usually aim for 5x/ week in the weight room!
I agree- summer should include lots of free time. I grew up in the 70s, which was really the height of freedom for kids. My summers were very unstructured and I loved it.
5x a week? Hmmm! I have to keep reading your blog so I stay motivated!
We usually do one big summer trip and I admit . . . we are also doing an Alaska cruise! But other than that, nothing earth shattering. I plan on continuing to do long runs in the heat, haha. Oh! And i like to read fluffier fiction, it feels beachy + summery! You can also do low-key things that still feel fun and summery, like grilling or going out for ice cream (vegan in your case!).
Summer of Proust does . . . not sound that fun to me 🙂
Ha ha… I won’t be doing a summer of Proust (although I have read Proust in the past.) That’s funny you’re doing an Alaskan cruise! Well, it’ll get you out of the Florida heat.
I’m thinking of finding a really good murder mystery for my week of reading… that’s what I like when I read something “fluffier.”
Very good job on the trail!
Traveling with our children is too beautiful! Every year my son and I escape abroad to watch a rugby match (of course we support Italy). In march we went to Scotland. This summer will not be easy to travel with my wife because we have to look after our grandsons; it means another summer on the beach.
Indeed I don’t like to sit under a big umbrella on the sand, I love the rocks and the deep water but this kind of “sea” is not safe for the kids.
Traveling with adult children is great. But I’m also looking forward to the day when I have grandkids to look after!
I love how you’re planning out your summer, although you don’t have any “big” summer plans… I should do the same. Not much planned for this summer, no trips, no visitors, so I have to come up with my own summer fun 🙂
A “week of reading” sounds delightful. I’d pick a big book, so you can fully immerse yourself in the story during that week.
I am trying to get back to reading more again myself!
San, you could make this your own summer of reading! Maybe that could be your theme.
I like a good road trip, and your time in Tallahassee sounds nice! I’m finding Birchy’s weekend trips to be so vicariously fun – I bet you could make a couple of days amazing!
I guess this is the Summer of Moving for me. Which involves an 8 hour road trip! Maybe not super exciting but it will be nice to be settled in. Definitely lots of reading in store for me as well.
The Summer of Moving sounds exciting… and a little stressful. But as you said it will be nice to be settled into a new place!
I love how your summer incorporates thoughtfulness on every day things/habits. I think sometimes summer feels a lot of pressure to have special happenings but having the time to do things that allow us to be our best selves in quieter ways is also important.
I am working on two shows this summer, and like you, the option is to work and get paid or to not work and not get paid. So I’m working and a lot of my summer schedule is dictated by opera schedule. I’m trying to be intentional about the days off so that I feel like I still get to do some summer fun things. And my family is visiting so that will be an event too.
I recently enjoyed reading Fencing with the King, a novel about an American poet who travels with her father to his homeland Jordan. There are family secrets and political intrigue and a little bit of romance.
Ooh! I’ve never heard of that book but it sounds good. I’ll see if they have it at our library. And yes- I’m trying to really appreciate my days off, and make sure they feel like little vacations.
Ugh– we are probably not taking a family trip this summer because 2 kids are taking activity trips to 2 coasts, and my husband is going with them (I hate to fly). There’s a chance only 1 kid will go (the other has a qualifying toruney next week), so maaaaaybe we will go to NYC as a fam. We are traveling for hanksgiving and Spring Break instead, and I am trying to look forward ot those and not be bitter. Love your themes– I need to brainstorm mine as well.
I can’t even imagine trying to plan a family trip with all your activities going on! I think it would just make the summer more stressful. I’m sure you guys will still be doing plenty of interesting and fun things. And yes- I’m enjoying my theme of “reading” this summer. It’s fun to have a theme!
Summer is all about how we make it and want it to be. Why is it that we are pressured to do “fun” things or go somewhere “fun”? While traveling is fun and exciting, it can also be stressful. I love “The Summer of Reading”! Great idea! This Summer I will relax and enjoy my time without the pressure of dealing with 23 students. I will teach Summer School and there are 15 students, but it is only for 3 weeks and there is no guarantee that all students will show up.
I’ve actually been embracing the “summer of reading” even though my official “week of reading” hasn’t started yet. I’ve been allowing mysefl to read more, and every time I think I should be doing something else, like cleaning or laundry, I remind myself that I’m SUPPOSED to read more this summer. I’m enjoying this mindset!
>> Our family is borderline dysfunctional when it comes to trips (it’s a long story)
I want to hear this story! This deserves a post of its own 🙂
Ha ha… maybe I’ll tell it someday. It actually involves more than one trip. We’ll see.
I have always been really spoilt for summer holidays because it almost always involves an extended stay at my parents place at the beach, which was also our childhood holiday house. So I guess I never really thought much about organising something for summer.
The trips with your kids sound good, it’s so great that you can take that time for them, and that they want you to.
Ah, it would be nice to have a built-in holiday house! A place at the beach is ideal.
The only trip I’m taking this summer is spending a long weekend in Charleston for my mom’s birthday. I’m planning on spending a lot of time at the pool, though, whether it’s at my apartment complex or at my mom’s house! I’m very grateful to have access to multiple pools!
I love a summer dedicated to reading. You could even try to work in some readathons to your schedule on the days you are off – like trying to finish a book in a day. If that’s something that interests you. I just heard about a group of girlfriends that did a reading retreat where all they did was rent out a cozy lake house off Airbnb and spend an entire 3 days reading. That’s the life I want!
Yes, I love the idea of a read-athon! I mean I really love the idea of a three-day reading retreat, but that’s just not going to happen. I’m definitely going to plan a couple readathon days while my daughter is at camp.
This sounds like the perfect amount of “scheduled” summer time to me! I love love love road trips – that’s how I visited my family last month, although there were no fun stops (do the tollway oases in Illinois count?). I prefer a road trip to flying, for sure. I hope you find things to do in Tallahassee (bookstore? park? I’ve never been there, sorry!). And, I hope you get some good book recommendations. This group is good for that, for sure!
I have so many good books by now that I’ll never get through them all! And, I love road trips (just not with the entire family.) I had to smile at your tollway oasis stops- whenever we take the Florida turnpike I LOVE the oasis (wait, what’s the plural for “oasis?”) So convenient and clean, lots of food options… ha ha, I should probably stop someplace more interesting sometime.