The Summer Productivity Trap
Why "Making the Most" Is Making You Miserable
Hi Friends,
It's summer, and your Instagram feed is probably exploding with adventure photos, family vacation highlights, and perfectly curated "living my best life" moments. Meanwhile, you're sitting here feeling guilty because all you want to do is... nothing.
Here's what I want you to know: your desire to rest isn't laziness. It's wisdom.
The Trap We All Fall Into
I remember the summer I decided I was going to "make the most of it." I scheduled pool trips, planned elaborate family outings, signed up for three different workshops, and committed to a daily self-care routine. By July, I was more exhausted than I'd been during the busy spring months.
I had fallen into what I now call the Summer Productivity Trap—the belief that because we have "more time" (spoiler alert: we don't), we should be doing more, experiencing more, achieving more.
But here's the uncomfortable truth: many of us are running on fumes year-round. We need summer to be our recovery season, not our achievement season.
What This Really Costs Us
When we treat summer like another productivity challenge, we:
Miss the actual restoration our bodies and minds desperately need
Create more stress while trying to create memories
Teach our children that rest requires justification
Perpetuate the cycle of exhaustion that follows us year-round
Your First Permission Slip
This week, I'm giving you permission to question every "should" that comes with summer. Should you plan that elaborate vacation? Should you sign up for that class? Should you commit to that social gathering?
The only question that matters: What does your soul actually need right now?
Tomorrow's Topic
We'll dive into the science of why your body is craving rest and the seven types of restoration you might be missing.
Until then, notice how many times today you feel pressure to "make the most" of something. Just notice. No judgment.
Until next time…
Mary
