Creating Your Authentic Summer: How to Design a Season That Fits Your Values
The summer story only you can write
Hi friends,
Many of you have shared that you've learned to pause when FOMO hits and check in with what you actually want.
One response particularly moved me: "I used to think we were missing out on expensive vacations. Then I realized my favorite summer memories are the nights we set up the sprinkler and had 'pool parties' in our backyard. We weren't missing anything—we were creating everything."
This is what happens when you stop living someone else's summer story and start writing your own.
The Story You're Actually In
Right now, you're the author of your summer story. But if you're constantly comparing chapters to other people's books, you'll never appreciate the plot you're actually writing.
Your story might be:
The summer of simple pleasures and deep rest
The summer of financial wisdom and creative fun
The summer of saying no to drama and yes to peace
The summer of accepting your kids exactly as they are
The summer of choosing presence over presentation
None of these stories are less valuable than the highlight reel version.
Values-Based Summer Planning
Instead of asking "What should we be doing?" try asking:
"What kind of summer aligns with who we really are?"
If you value connection: Maybe your summer story is about deeper conversations, not more activities.
If you value peace: Maybe it's about protecting your energy, not filling every moment.
If you value growth: Maybe it's about internal development, not external experiences.
If you value creativity: Maybe it's about unstructured time, not scheduled enrichment.
If you value financial security: Maybe it's about contentment, not consumption.
Boundary Setting for Your Authentic Story
Your authentic summer story requires boundaries—with social media, with other people's expectations, and with your own perfectionism.
Boundaries with comparison:
Limiting social media during stressful times
Unfollowing accounts that consistently trigger FOMO
Creating "comparison-free zones" in your day
Boundaries with expectations:
Having a standard response for "What are your summer plans?"
Teaching your kids that boredom is not a crisis you need to solve
Letting other people be disappointed in your choices
Boundaries with perfectionism:
Defining "good enough" summer experiences in advance
Celebrating small wins instead of waiting for big moments
Remembering that your kids need you present more than they need you perfect
Your Summer Story Values
Vote and share: What's one way you want to honor this value in the coming weeks?
Writing Your Next Chapter
The comparison trap wants you to believe that everyone else is living a better summer story than you. But comparison is just fear dressed up as research.
The truth? There are as many ways to have a meaningful summer as there are families having them.
Your story doesn't need to impress anyone. It needs to serve you, reflect your values, and honor what your family actually needs—not what you think you should need.
This weekend, try this: Instead of asking "What should we do?" ask "What would feel good?"
Trust the answer, even if it's "nothing much."
Especially if it's "nothing much."
Because sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is refuse to turn your life into content and just... live it.
Talk to you soon,
Mary
