Fun!

July 1, 2022

As we approach the 4^th of July holiday weekend, I am struck by the negativity of the news: the economy, recent supreme court rulings, mass shootings, the war in Ukraine, division within our country. I am as concerned as everyone I know about these things, but there are few things I can do to control any of them. I can take steps to save gasoline, cut down on my spending, I can write letters, participate in the democratic process, but still, most of these affairs are beyond my personal control. When I am faced with overwhelming frustration, I have learned to focus on self-care. One tool I have learned is to limit my exposure to media. In the first months after my separation from my first husband, it was my step- mother who suggested that I turn off NPR, the local news and only read the comics in the paper for a little while. Suddenly, I realized that I had a lot of free time on my hands, and I did not know what to do with it.

Here is my suggestion for this weekend, especially, go have fun!  Try to remember what you enjoyed the most about summer days and holidays as a kid. Was it the whole watermelon your mother bought? The seed spitting contest that followed in the back yard, the sparklers or the bike ride to the pool? There are so many fun things to do that are free. Many parks, nature trails or picnic sites are free. Enjoy the memberships you already have to a local pool, museum, or garden. Perhaps grilling hot dogs or hosting a Harry Potter movie fest is what will make your heart sing. Make s’mores over a campfire or even the grill. Perhaps you feel like driving to the beach or flying to a vacation spot is not in your budget right now because of exorbitant gas prices and rising food costs. There are still tons of things to do that cost little to nothing.  If possible do as many of those things as you can.

My husband bought me an $8.00 baby pool for the back yard last weekend, and I have enjoyed soaking my feet daily,  as I read a book. A trip to the dollar store led me to find glow bracelets and water guns to share with neighbor kids anonymously. I went to a free play at Dogwood Dell with friends last night. I hope to take in a museum exhibit, walk by the river with a friend and grill out with my family over the weekend. I plan to seize the day and schedule in a lot of play time this long weekend. I challenge you to do the same! Fun is one of the best ways to give yourself a chance to recharge.