"That's not to say that responsibilities disappear or that calamity takes the note and goes on its own vacation. Yet, somehow, when dressed in flip-flops and shorts, the capacity to deal with curveballs and chaos magically grows. I am infinitely less stressed by a glowing check engine light or a "per my last email" when moving through the simplicity of summertime."
"But, honestly, how many colored pencils does a third grader need? Why do we have to invite Cooper's dad to the cookout when we know he's going to brag about his latest BBQ hack, take over the grill and burn everyone's brats? And what if someone just told Janice in HR that nobody likes "Fun Food Friday" because we'd all rather be working remotely at the end of the week and eating Uncrustables out of our own darn fridges?"
Summer brings a simpler, more relaxed state that reduces stress and increases tolerance for everyday hassles. Lighter attire and slower days boost capacity to handle unexpected problems and diminish the weight of minor annoyances. Many social rules and expectations can be questioned rather than followed automatically. Individuals can assess which obligations matter and which can be declined without guilt. Small, intentional choices—like skipping a forced social tradition or limiting invitations—can preserve calm and autonomy. Adopting selective boundaries enables maintenance of summertime ease beyond the season by deciding which conventions merit energy and which do not.
Read at ESPN.com
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