Summertime sans kids

It's hard to believe that we are almost halfway through the year already and in my favorite month of the summer. June: my birth month, the month I met Darren 13 years ago, and the month with the longest day of the year (which also happens to be my birthday, 6/21 🥳) It's pretty obvious why I'm a fan, but I'm betting a lot of you are too even if it's for reasons not yet mentioned 😂

Summer is sunshine, pool days, vacations, ice cream, sipping an adult beverage on the patio, rooftop hangs, outdoor dining, and so much more. There's something about the warm weather and vitamin D that re-energizes me and makes me feel like my best self.

I remember as a kid, there was nothing better than sleeping in, watching The Price Is Right and riding my bike to the community pool as soon as it opened every day. No responsibilities, no homework, pure freedom. Rainy days were the absolute worst and sooooo boring! I didn't want to be stuck inside watching tv all day or reading a book (although I've always loved to read). I wanted to be with my friends eating watermelon laffy taffy as we sat on our towels in our bathing suits waiting for the whistle to blow so we could jump back into the pool.

It's funny how the older we get, sometimes the boring rainy days at home become our favorite. As much as we love social events and going out and about, a nice relaxing day at home with no plans whatsoever sounds pretty amazing more times than not. I find that in the summer, especially when my calendar gets super full and something is going on almost every weekend, it's great to have those days when I am able to recharge and enjoy the luxury of having nowhere to be.

If I had kids, I think summer would be a heck of a lot different and way more challenging.

If I'm keeping it real, I could see myself wanting to pull my hair out after the first full week of summer break 🤪 Not to mention, working from home while having a kid here all day would be extremely difficult (especially those rainy days when going outside to play wouldn't be an option). Oh, and family vacations are fun and all, but I've been on my share of them growing up and have heard several friends that have kids even say that usually everyone feels like they need a vacation from their vacation afterward... and if you've never felt that way, consider yourself lucky!

Don't get me wrong, I think there would be a lot of fun and happy memories made in the summer with a child. Whether it's roasting marshmallows over a campfire, running through sprinklers, teaching them to ride a bike or swim, play dates and sleepovers- it would be a time to connect without the added stressors that the school year can bring. However, as someone that is #childfree, summer is the time that I can most focus on living my best life mentally, emotionally and physically. I feel way more motivated to workout and keep the momentum going with my health and fitness journey because I know I'll be rocking shorts and swimsuits 😎

Taking walks outside, getting a natural tan {which makes me feel and look 10x better}, enjoying live music, having a White Claw or Busch Peach (my new fav) in my hand, sitting around the fire pit with Darren in the evening, going out of town to avoid the chaos around our house on the 4th of July are all things that I very much enjoy and would deeply miss if I didn't have the time or opportunity to experience every summer.

Our summers may be completely different than those of you reading that have kids. Or maybe there are a lot of similarities. Maybe you have the perfect mix of kid/adult time, and if so, high five! Maybe you don't and wouldn't have it any other way, which is also totally fine.

Whatever your summer looks like, I hope it's full of fun and sunshine, low stress, and allows YOU moments to feel like a kid that just screamed "schools out for summer" as the final bell of the year rings. Stay hydrated, apply SPF and enjoy your well deserved vacation-even if it is at Disney World (just because I don't want to be there doesn't mean I don't enjoy the family pics of you in matching/coordinating T-shirts and mouse ears with your crew) 🐭☀️

-Holly