August is upon us, and that means back-to-school is just around the corner. While the soon approaching Labor Day holiday may indicate the end of summer, it also marks a new beginning.
As our traditional summer activities – barbecues, beach trips, camp days and family vacations draw to a close, take some time to reflect on what it is you want for yourself and your family in the coming school year.
As your local Holistic Health and Lifestyle Coach, I offer these tips for a successful transition back-to-school:
1. Appreciate Your Summer
First off, take some time as a family to fully appreciate your summer. Set aside a day or evening before the back-to-school craziness starts to share with each other what the highlights were. Did your family travel somewhere or take a “staycation” together? Did any of you make a new friend? What milestones were achieved? Most of all, did you get to relax and rejuvenate? Come Labor Day, I can almost guarantee I’ll hear you saying, “The summer went by so fast!” So be sure to savor these last few weeks by making the most of them and allow yourself time to fully soak in how nourishing summer can be.
Summers are short and so is life. By reflecting on and appreciating the special moments, joys and experiences, we allow ourselves to truly feel all that life has to offer.
2. Envision Your New Year
Secondly, devote some time to setting your intentions for the new year. Jot down in a notebook or journal what you’d like to achieve. Perhaps you’d like to begin a new exercise routine, get your family on a healthier eating routine, or complete a project you’ve been putting off. Putting it down on paper and setting a clear intention creates energy around your goal and increases your chances of making it happen.
Next, consider what hopes and dreams you have for your children and think about ways you will support them. For older children, engage them in the conversation and allow them to envision what their ideal school year will look like to them.
Take it a step further and create a vision board with your children – a collage of images of things that represent your visions. Perhaps you’d like to take a ski trip, do well in school, learn a new skill, find a great job, excel in a sport, or redecorate your home. The sky’s the limit so have fun creating your vision and be sure to keep your finished board somewhere you will see it every day.
By taking time to appreciate – and focus on – those things that are important to us, we are more equipped to navigate through life’s up’s, down’s and day-to-day stress in a way that leaves us more fulfilled and more joyful, and ultimately healthier and happier.
I invite you to share your comments on this post, as well as your goals and visions below!
