When you were a kid, summer felt different than every other season. Without school to occupy most of your day, you dramatically shifted how you passed your time.How did you spend most of your summer vacations? Did you have a busy schedule of sleepaway camp and family trips? Did you work or take classes? Did you have hours of free time to play and daydream?The summers of your youth were sometimes boring, sometimes exciting, but always important in your development – and often, you’d start the next school year with a new look, a new best friend or a new life philosophy. Now that you’re an adult, summer doesn’t usually have this same theme of personal transformation… but what if you could recreate some of it? Even if your summer routine looks much like the one you have in winter, spring or fall, you can still find small ways to use this season for reflection and growth. Explore one of these three journal prompts, and make your summer more transformative:
- One of the most magical parts of summer when you’re a kid is having more time to explore your interests outside of school. Write about some of your happiest summer memories from childhood. What did you fill your time with? Who did you spend it with?
- Brainstorm how you could adopt a little of this summer fun mentality into your current schedule. What could you do once a week that would make you feel more engaged, playful or relaxed? How could you use future journal prompts to keep up your momentum?
- Think about this summer as a pause between phases of your life, the way it used to be when you were younger. During this year’s break, what do you want to meditate on? What’s been on your mind lately? What projects have you thought about starting? What changes have you been thinking about making
- Give yourself a mission you’re excited about for the summer. This can be as simple as creating a summer reading list, or as complex as setting a major goal to reach by Labor Day.
- Head outdoors to get some fresh air and inspiration. If it’s sweltering where you live right now, take advantage of an early morning or evening respite from the heat. Go for a short walk or bike ride, and don’t listen to any music, podcasts or audiobooks. Be alone with your thoughts, and let your mind wander.
When you get back home, free-write in your journal. What did you think about on your outing? What did you observe? Where are your thoughts taking you now? What new plans and ideas are taking shape? Not done writing? Browse through hundreds more journal prompts.
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