Another Summer Solstice came and went. Among other things, this is the longest day of the year. When presented with such opportunity, what are our first thoughts about what we should do, how we should take advantage of the time?
I was thinking about this when I woke up and started getting ready for the day. I mentally went through my to do list for the day and the week and thought to myself well, I have more daylight today so why not try to get more things done? I had a yoga class to teach, then I thought about what things around the house needed doing or what was on my Bay Area bucket list that I haven’t crossed off yet.
I’m sure I wasn’t alone in these thoughts. Many of us may have thought, why not make the most of the day? That can mean many different things for many people. It can mean adding to their to do list to feel more accomplished, it can mean finding new experiences to cross off their bucket lists, it can even mean a little bit of both. Essentially, my first thought was how can I jam pack this day so I feel I got the most out of the extra daylight hours?
But what does it really mean to be productive? What does it really mean to “seize the day”? What if “making the most of the day” meant prioritizing what is best for me in the moment? Rather than focusing on what society deems as productive or seizing the day, why not look inwards and listen to what your body, mind, and spirit are feeling called to do. Sure, this could mean adding chores to your list, it can mean going on a fun, new adventure, or it could mean resting, reading a book, or taking a nap. Each of these things are valid, useful, and productive whether society deems them so or not.
So reflect on how you spent the day…what did you prioritize and how did you feel afterwards? Maybe next year we can rethink what it means to seize the day and use those extra hours to uplift our wellbeing.
And so ends your bonus summer solstice speculations….
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