Image via Visualize Us
We’re all guilty of getting the “busys.” From family and work to visiting friends, we (especially us girls) seem to have zero time to ourselves anymore. I had a lot of time to think about this on a recent vacation — if it were up to me, I’d be floating in water every day.
But I’m just like everybody else, constantly caught in the busy trap. It really comes out to haunt us in the summertime, especially, when there are so many activities and events to attend.
Lately, I’ve been reading some interesting articles about the behaviors behind chronic busyness, and this blog from The New York Times was a real eye-opener to me.
So my goal of this summer is to be more spontaneous. Whether it’s going to more movies, stopping to get ice cream on my way to work (seriously), or having that second margarita (ok, third), I’ve got some fun ideas of how to enjoy the summer.
Even if they are tiny things that take only 15 minutes, here’s to kicking busyness in the butt this summer.
Image of the Kidde Park via Flikr
If you have kiddos and live in the Tulsa area, you must drive about 45 miles north to Bartlesville’s Kiddie Park. I was lucky enough to grow up there, so my parents always took my sister and me to the park every summer. I thought all kids had miniature amusement parks in their towns!
The park is a perfect way to enjoy the present with children during the summer, and it’s a true nostalgia factory. An Oklahoma treasure, the Kiddie Park has been around since 1947, and the rides are still only 25 cents each. I was happy to read on the website that the last ride of the night is still free. What a great escape — makes me crave a grape snow cone!
Image of Moonrise Kingdom via Focus Features
Speaking of childhood nostalgia, I recently saw the best movie (in my opinion) of the summer – Moonrise Kingdom. The movie is about a group of kids in a bizarro 1960s world — that only Wes Anderson could create. There’s nothing more relaxing for me than heading to an ice cold movie theater on a hot summer afternoon. Don’t think about it. Just look up the show times, pick a movie, and go. It’s seriously worth it if you make the time, $7 for a matinee is a pretty cheap escape, right?
Image of ‘Emma’ book clutch via Kate Spade New York
Another inexpensive and rewarding escape is the most old-fashioned — reading. But my suggestion is to challenge yourself. Summer is the perfect time to bust out that old classic you’ve always wanted to read. Sure, War and Peace is long and the names are really hard to keep straight, but if you commit to reading a classic, you will not regret the time spent. And for me, it makes up for all those brain cells I’ve wasted watching Real Housewives (no judgement, of course).
Image of Fresher than Fresh snow cones via Design Sponge
Speaking of that grape snow cone . . .the summer heat is exhausting. Whether you have a favorite snow cone shack, or ice cream parlor, visit it. Often. Calories and excuses be damned.
I’ve been craving snow cones lately, and if you give yourself the afternoon off, you can whip up your own. Try these!
Mango Strawberry Snow Cones from Food Network
Ingredients
Ice
2 mangoes, peeled and chopped
1 pint strawberries, hulled and slice
1 lime juiced, plus wedges for garnish
Directions
1. Fill a food processor with ice. Process until the ice is very fine, like snow.
2. Add the mangoes and strawberries and pulse to blend.
2. Pile the crushed ice into dessert glasses or dishes and squeeze over the lime juice. Garnish with lime wedges; serve immediately.
