Ensure you prioritize the health of your mind this summer

This year, I am writing a book on finding joy during difficult times. This book project has started taking up my time, which means I will have to find my own ways to create a balance.

(Me at a Manitoulin Island (ON) beach last year)

The allure of summer outdoors, with its bright sun-drenched days and cool, clear nights, may seem welcoming. However, an invisible weight of past hurts and emotional wounds might lurk in your mind, discouraging you from embracing any summer adventure that comes your way. The burdens of these wounds can intensify when you observe others seemingly exploring and enjoying their time, leading to a sense of loneliness and the feeling of being left out.

Emotional moments during the summer months can manifest for a multitude of reasons. It could be the overwhelming heat or the pressure to have the 'perfect' summer.

Seeing others enjoy their summer can lead to a fear of missing out. This fear can be particularly intensified by social media, where people often share the best parts of their lives, giving the impression that everyone else is having a great time. This can result in feelings of loneliness and isolation, even if you're not actually alone.

For some, summer means a significant shift in daily routines. Students are out of school, families might be on vacation, and regular schedules might be disrupted. This lack of structure can be unsettling for some people, leading to feelings of anxiety and stress.

Sadness, while a significant emotion that deserves acknowledgment, should not consume your entire summer. Recognize it, accept it, but also take time to seek out and find joy. Remember that it's okay to have days when you're not in high spirits. However, make an effort to find happiness in the small things around you.

Everyone has different ways of coping, and what works for one person might not work for another. Thus, find your own way to ask sadness to take a break for a few weeks.

This year, I am writing a book on finding joy during difficult times. This book project has started taking up my time, which means I will have to find my own ways to create a balance. The sun in the Yukon has started to shine brightly, and the outdoors are inviting me. That means I will be writing lots of pages while being outdoors.

I would like to show you a short video of outdoor community dancing, which I did with the people from the town of Vanderhoop (BC) last week. Such gatherings can be a great way to find joy:

This summer, give yourself permission to heal, to laugh, and to fully live in each beautiful moment.

If sadness still appears, remember that you are a human, or read this article again 🧡

(If you can, write your thoughts in the comments below)