Summer Becomes a State of Mind

What if the best parts of summer didn't have to end when you return to your desk?

The unofficial start to summer is here. I’m quite literally finalizing this with sand in between my toes. Vacations and general situational changes always get me thinking about how we catch that lightning in a bottle so it’s not so fleeting. The answer?

Some of it is MEANT to be uncatchable. That’s what makes special…special. That’s how it’s allowed to have an oversized portion of your long-term memory. But, there are also feel-good moments and things

As you enjoy the extended weekend, capture a little of the essence that shouldn’t remain a mere memory. The rest of Summer- and your partnership in general - will be better for it.

The Summer Mindset Matters Most

We've all seen those Instagram posts: "Take me back to last week when I was on the beach with no emails..." followed by the inevitable Monday grind. But the essence of summer—the intentional connection, the mental space, the priority shifts—can follow you back to your desk.

And this is me begging you to snap yourself out of it, like I have to snap myself out of it from time to time. The summer mindset isn't about abandoning responsibility—it's about creating intentional space within our packed lives. That’s what vacation does for you on a more concentrated scale.

Your calendar is the key. In the 100’s of conversations I’ve had with newsletter readers, their job is not so demanding that

• they CAN’T end work at 3p one Thursday to take kids to a random pool sesh and splash hard for 2 hours.

• No one is telling them they can’t take an extended coffee break to go feel the sun.

• And a 1.5 hour lunch break to take your partner for some vino and seafood is not going to get you fired in 2025.

The mindset of summer is a little bit of planning (like you do for vacation) and a little bit of special.

Can you do 1 or more of these things? I’d be grateful.

1. Click any of the social icons at the top of this newsletter to repost/share this info on your favorite platform.

2. Forward/refer a friend for the newsletter if you think we can be helpful to their partnership at home.

3. Signup for Appairent Essentials - DIY is possible but you’ve got a lot on. I want one more thing to manage, so you don’t have to.

Calendar the Counterbalance

If you’re a regular reader I go on about counterbalancing elsewhere- checkout the link if it’s new to you.

When we're in vacation mode, we naturally prioritize our relationships and self-care. But back in the rat race? Work creeps back to the front burner while our most important connections simmer on low heat.

If you're thinking "I do this on the fly" that's fair. Spontaneity is always awesome. Practical reality is that if left to complete chance, these things often get shoved aside for what's right in front of you. Planning a few guarantees they happen...you can add more on a whim, always a good thing.

Get to It Now

When September rolls around, you won't remember most of your emails. You won't reminisce about that perfect spreadsheet. But you will remember:

• The impromptu Thursday evening ice cream run

• The morning you both woke up early to watch the sunrise

• The weekend afternoon when phones stayed in drawers

And those are not reserved for Summer, and they’re not precious to vacation. They’re available on that tetris-filled calendar if you make them.

As we honor those who gave everything this Memorial Day weekend, let's also commit to living with intention. Summer isn't just a season on the calendar—it's a state of mind that reminds us what actually matters.

This week, before diving back into the inbox, take 30 minutes to insert some of that mindset into the calendar. And for now, go enjoy the rest of an extended weekend away.

🍻

Hat