Photo By Miroshnichenko on Pexels
By: Alicia Lee
A few weeks into summer, I caught myself staring at the same to-do list I had written days earlier, untouched. The more I told myself I would just start tomorrow, the further away tomorrow seemed to be. If you have ever found yourself saying “I’ll just do it tomorrow,” only to realize a week has passed, you are not alone. I have been thinking a lot about how to stay motivated while still letting myself enjoy what summer has to offer. In summer, when everything seems to slow down, I notice I have gradually lost focus. I started asking myself why I signed up for taking these classes and what I am I trying to achieve. Writing down my answers and keeping them somewhere visible has been grounding, especially on days when all I want to do is go outside and forget about my responsibilities. Breaking tasks into smaller, bite-sized pieces has also helped me feel less overwhelmed.
Big goals feel heavier in the summer for some reason, probably because there are so many distractions. Instead of forcing myself to tackle everything at once, I focus on one or two priorities each day and let that be enough. Even crossing off one meaningful task gives me momentum. One of the biggest mindset shifts I’ve had, though, is permitting myself to enjoy summer. Instead of feeling guilty for taking breaks or going out with friends, I schedule those moments into my week. It feels easier to stay motivated when I know I get to reward myself later, whether it is a beach day, an iced drink, or even just a full day off without thinking about work. I have also been making little changes to make my environment feel less stuffy by studying outside at least once a week, or even just switching to a study place with natural sunlight. Summer does not have to be all or nothing. Finding that balance between enjoying the season and moving toward your goals is the real win. And if you do fall into a slump, just start small and start again!