May 22nd, 2012
Setting Summer Intentions
![Summer Sound [Large View]](http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3042/3850756797_54cd16b21c_z.jpg)
{image: Summer Sound by Brandon Christopher Warren}
I want to make sure that I get the most out of the summer this year, so I’ve been thinking how I’m setting my intentions to make sure I fill my days with what will add up to be a really fun summer. When I think about setting intentions I try to focus on actions I can take that will lead me into the kind of positive experiences that really fulfil me and help keep me in a mindset of enjoying and being grateful for what I have, living simply and staying open to whatever comes my way.
These are my summer intentions…
- Walk 40 – 60 mins per day
- Write a gratitude journal
- Plant & maintain a kitchen vegetable garden
- Learn how to preserve extra herbs and tomatos
- Make dill everything
- Take every other Friday afternoon off
- Cook brunch on the weekends & have friends over to eat
- Paint the upstairs of the house
- Take photos through the week, every week
- Make a summer mix CD that can be my soundtrack
- Put up lights on the deck and have a patio party
- Re-design kylaroma.com & work on a new content plan
- Predict the winner of The Bachelorette with stunning accuracy *
- Make space to invite opportunities, fun and spontaneity in
- Look for opportunities to put my love for my friends & family into action
- Make time every week to get the most out of Marie Forleo’s Rich, Happy & Hot B-School (So excited!)
- Stop just stalking decor on etsy, make my purchases & decorate the house!
* I stand firmly by this one, there’s a lot to be said for guilty pleasures ;)
What’s one intention you have for the summer?
I love the idea of the Seasonal Music Mix Playlist. I hope you keep that part of your blog going. I love all types of Music, so I think this would be fun. Would love to learn the process for this.
What’s come of learning how to preserve extra herbs and tomatoes
& making a summer mix CD that can be your soundtrack?
I love your follow up, Kate! I’ve actually been thinking about this post recently too :)
I’m still working on the summer mix CD, and I’ve been devouring all our herbs and tomatoes so far. In fact, the little puppies have been stealing green tomatoes from the vine, tossing them around like tiny tennis balls until they break and then eating them lol So until I can beat out my competition (which I’m making an effort to do!) this hasn’t been an issue ;)
Can you elaborate on what a gratitude journal is?…..also…..ARIE! ARIE! ARIE! ARIE!!!!!!!
I love summer mix tapes. I’m currently loving cucumber salad with dill in the dressing. And brunch is always incredible. Have fun!!!
Loved this post. You inspired me to do the same http://veronicaarmstrong.com/welcoming-summer-setting-goals/. I think your brunch intention is my favorite. Its such a great way to end the weekend. Thanks so much for sharing.
I love this idea! I made a list of all the festivals around the state I’d like to attend, but that’s not very realistic. I think I’ll have to make a more realistic summer list now!
What an awesome idea. I might make my own summer list too.
I feel I waste time by watching too many episodes when I could use that time more productively. I want to be better and make more memorable moments. I like the idea of getting a new habit! And audio books sound like such a good idea! I feel like because I’m studying that I can’t read for pleasure because I should be reading for Uni if I’m going to read at all, so I end up watching episodes. Audio books would be a great way to get around that and I could do some more crafty things at the same time if I wanted to multi-task. I go for a 40-50 minute walk most days and love the disconnection from technology. I’m living with my parents at the moment and they live in the bush so there’s a lovely walk to do further up the fairly quiet road. It’s peaceful with a good incline and it’s nice that I can exercise and do some thinking. There are things I put off because I think I don’t have the time to do them when really that time is mostly filled with watching things or doing homework. I’d like to manage my time better. I think it would clear my head up a bit. It feels a bit foggy up there! I can’t wait to get back into reading again. I used to love reading when I was younger but stopped maybe from age 16 onward so that’s definitely something I want to pick up again. I’ve almost finished my studies so that might be the right time to start. I’ve started writing a little list. I’ll get there one day.
Canning is the best way! Premake sauces, pestos, chutneys, salsas, pickle tomatoes or can them in an oil base. They last forever! And the best thing is it can all sit in the pantry! I have had chili stored from last summer and it tastes better the longer it sits (no chemicals or preservatives to stop flavours mingling). My pressure cooker is a 30L from Canadian Tire that we picked up for about 65$. You can can any size of jar and there are inserts in mine so that you can stack columns of smaller jars. The manuals tell you what temperature and how long to pressure cook for so it is really fool proof. Nothing beats the smell of all of your hard work and amazing cooking lingering in the air for a few extra hours in the evening.
Thank you so much for the advice, Lo! I’ve made jams and jellies before but I don’t have experience with making sauces and pestos that can sit at room temperature, and I definitely want to learn how. I had no idea that a pressure cooker would be part of the equation though, that’s intriguing! My only experience with them is cooking with an old one when I lived with my mom, and every now and then (it was older) its lid would pop off half way through cooking and terrify everyone in the house. I’ve learned that they’re to be respected, but I imagine that technology has improved ;)
You’ve got me thinking about this more than I was before- I’ll have to blog about my progress later in the summer, thank you! And if nothing else, I’ll have good stories of using quasi dangerous cooking equipment ;)
A life lived with intention….priceless! I have a gratitude journal too; it derails the tendency to kvetch, and even if it’s just a point or two from each day, they’re like money in the bank. “Moan, moan, moan, you’re always complainin’!” said the Monty Python lady; a gratitude journal is a fine reminder of the good all around.
But predicting the winner of The Bachelorette is every bit as life changing!
I didn’t know you keep a gratitude journal, that’s so cool! It must be full of notes about how wonderful it is to have me as a daughter, right? RIGHT? lol
I would love for you to come to the studio and heckle The Bachelorette with Amber, Leigh-Ann and I. We watch it on Tuesdays while we’re doing admin work or record keeping, it’s so much fun :)
This is a beautiful list! One of mine is: camping underneath the stars. ♥
you should check out anna sun by walk the moon to add to your summer mix cd! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDVW81bXo0s
summer mixes are my favorites of all the ones i’ve ever made. there’s just something about the windows down and music up and the sun shining that makes for better memories :-)
i’m still in the evaluating process of my summer. i’m giving myself this weekend to really get it under control. spring is just flying by and i am determined to make the most of my summer!
Love this list! Especially the mix tape and gratitude journal!
This is such a good list! Sounds like you’ve got a fun summer ahead. I feel motivated to have a think about this.
Hi Kyla,
I love this intentions list/plan so much I’m writing one of my own. There are so many little things I want to make into daily habits and there are ways I want to spend my time better by consciously making the effort to do so, like watching fewer episodes of TV shows and more… I’m working on what I want to replace that with. So thank you for always being an inspiration.
— Anna.
You’re such a sweetheart Anna, I’m glad that this struck a chord with you! Replacing your TV habit with something else is a really strong move, I’ve heard many times that we never really break habits, we just replace them with new ones.
One of the things I’ve been doing that might work for you is listening to podcasts and audiobooks while walking- which is how I’m getting my 30 – 60 mins of exercise a day. For me, it adds something concrete that I can look forward to into exercising, makes it much easier to follow through on it every day. That way you could get active while still having a dedicated “entertainment” part of your day :)
Dill+sour cream+ cucumbers= amazing! My gramma used to make it for me. It is one of those dishes you make that you don’t want to share. :)
Yes! Alicia, my mother in law makes that and it’s so delicious! I love finding simple combinations that are so satisfying. Once I get my garden planted, that’s one of the first things I’ll make :)
You had me at “dill everything”. Mmmmmm dill.
Love this! I need to make a list like this to keep me focused creatively this summer. You’ve given me some great inspiration! :)
I’m trying to pursue more programs that would allow me to make films in Winnipeg. I’m currently applying for a contest at Gimli Film Fest to win 10,000 to make a short film. Wish me luck!
Sonya, that’s incredible- what a great way to pursue something that’s so completely up your alley! I’m wishing you lots of luck :)
Excellent intentions – also good that they include spending some time out of doors.
I’ll have to think of a list of my Summer Intentions too….
Hmm…..
Sarah
http://www.acatlikecuriosity.blogspot.co.uk
my main summer goal is to have this baby boy and be the best dang mom i can be…..it’s my first one so i’m pretty nervous but i have a great support team in place. =)
That’s a huge undertaking, Kendra- congratulations!! I’m shaking my pom poms for you and know that you’ll be an amazing mom. A great support team sounds like such a wise & helpful emotional safety net to have at the ready. I can’t wait to meet him on your blog! :)
Good Minds think alike! I just did a summer to-do list post today as well. http://beeweave.blogspot.com/2012/05/summer-to-do-list.html My top intention: Lose 35 pounds by August 1st.
You’ll have to share what you come up with for your summer mix! Also, this is my favorite: “Make space to invite opportunities, fun and spontaneity in”. I absolutely love that wording and concept. Happy almost summer!
You enrolled in her B-School?! I am hearing about it EVERYWHERE.
Yes! It’s my birthday present to myself- I’m so excited for it to start :)
My summer intentions are to enjoy Westchester, my new county, and NYC when I’m home. I travel a lot during the summer and when I’m home I tend to just stay local and not do as much as I could. I want to explore new places, restaurants and museums, and spend time with friends, instead of just staying at home, running errands, or just going to the same old favorites. Summer is LOVELY in NYC and I need to take advantage of it as much as possible.
I will definitely hike more and enjoy the outdoors more often. Oh, and make more pies! :)
LOVE your summer intentions! You have inspired me to write my own list.
Your list sounds delightful! I too am creating a list of things I want to do this summer and to ensure that I stand firmly behind my plans.
My one main goal is to have breakfast outside on the patio every weekend throughout this summer.
And to watch Big Brother. My guilty pleasure.
P.S. I too create a summer soundtrack. The one song that is always on the list is “Summertime” by Fresh Prince and DJ Jazzy Jeff.
Love your summer intentions! I need to write a list myself…. and one of my intentions is going to be “surround myself with people who make me feel good”.
Can’t wait to see what you do with your blog :)
“surround myself with people who make me feel good” is such a fabulous intention- I love that, San & I hope it plays out in lots of happiness in your day to day life :)
Love the summer soundtrack idea. I’m also hoping to buy one of Elise’s summer mini books and complete it! :D
We’re heading into Winter in my part of the world and my one intention is to learn to make red velvet cupcakes! Yum!
Haha… The bachelorette is one of my favorite guilty pleasures too. I hope this season gets juicy…the whole making cookies and sipping juice boxes in the car was a little dull. But, who knows! I’m rooting for Arie…I think.
I think Arie is a good bet- my predictions are Doug, Chris & Arie… and secretly I want Jef to be in there too, but only because he’s so hipster cute & doesn’t look like a spray tanned Ken doll ;)
I’m moving to Austin this summer, which is a HUGE change as I’ve set up my life in LA for the past 9 years. So, my intention is “Be open. Be calm.” I’m panicking about leaving all my peeps behind, but hopefully this will help me overcome that and enjoy new experiences.
I love your summer intentions!
That will be a huge change, but it sounds like the way you’re trying to approach it will help make the transition go smoothly and feel like an exciting adventure along the way :)
The summer CD soundtrack sounds like fun!
“Stop just stalking decor on etsy, make my purchases & decorate the house” is definitely one of my summer intentions – we’ve lived in our place for almost four years now and we have one picture on the wall!