Dawn Arseneau

Hello, summer vacation!

It’s been fewer than 12 hours since I left work for the summer, and boy do I need it. Say what you will, teachers need this break to rejuvenate. I love my job, but I don’t know that I would have the energy to do it 12/12 months.

But I digress.

The big question everyone asks in June: What are your plans for the summer? Between part-time jobs and overseas travel, they run the gamut for many of us. I always make it a point not to overschedule my time off; my summer plans look more like this:

1. make meditating a habit

With the busyness of the school year, it is sooo easy to let healthy habits slip. The last few months, I got lazy about my meditation practice. It’s never been anything spectacular, but ten minutes in the morning helps me stay present throughout the day, improves my patience, and allows for a few moments of silence in a noisy world.

2. eat more whole foods

This has been on my New Year’s resolutions list for I don’t know how many years. But the more I learn, the more I know it’s something I can’t put off any longer. Studies show processed foods wreak havoc on our health. Plus, at 50, hormones do too – and healthy eating helps. Not to mention it’s better for the planet.

3. Move more

Another thing I let slide: my yoga practice. Earlier in the school year, I was doing 8 sun salutations every morning, teaching high school yoga Monday-Friday, and getting to the studio twice a week. Then I skipped a morning or two, then 4, then it all went out the window. I’d maybe get to the studio once a week, sometimes not at all. And summer means no teaching for two months. Starting tomorrow, I’m waking up those sun salutations. I know from experience it increases my energy, reduces my stress, and just makes me feel better overall.

4. get outside

Boy, do I struggle to get outside in the winter months. Then spring comes and the weather is cool and wet. Or windy. Any excuse will do. But a couple of weeks ago I got determined to get out, and starting walking on my lunch break. Sure, it’s easy this time of year. But my theory is if I start the habit now, I won’t want to let it go come fall. Since being outside is so beneficial for our physical and mental health, let’s hope that works. 🙂

4. Less social, more socializing

If I’m honest, there won’t be a pile of socializing, because I do love my quiet time. As a textbook introvert (thanks, Susan Cain, for affirming this for me and forever changing how I see myself), some solitude in summer can be downright healing. However, all that time wasted on Facebook could easily be replaced with coffee with my mom, a walk with my bf, or brunch with my girlfriends.

5. work on a passion project

About six months ago I started my Teachers Pay Teachers shop, creating resources for yoga, mindfulness, and creativity. It’s something I’d long thought about and finally took the plunge, never imagining just how much I’d love it. It combines my love of planning (teacher, here!), creating, writing, and photography with my passion for yoga and mindfulness (and my conviction that they belong in the classroom as much – if not more – than any math or science or social studies class).

6. stretch summer as long as humanly possible

Every year it goes too fast. No doubt it will again. But this year I intend to slow down summer – here’s where the mindfulness really comes in – one precious moment at a time.

No matter what the next two months have in store for you, I hope you, too, can slow down summer. Savour those sunsets. Take a breath of that fresh air. And find something that soothes your soul.

Wishing you peace, presence, and little pockets of joy all summer long. 💖