Top 3 Summer Struggles

Melissa Chu Christian Women Ministries Watercolor

Top 3 Summer Struggles

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Why you’re not psyched for summer and how to fix it.

Ah, the joys of summer! The sweltering heat and school vacations.  It’s the sweet season when your kids eat you out of house and home while giving you minute-to-minute updates on their boredom levels. 

After cold winters, most of us welcome warmer days, bright sunshine, and ample opportunities for fun.

So riddle me this…

… If summer is supposed to be so fun and relaxing, why do so many of us struggle to survive?

I’ve been helping women slay their day {God’s way} for over 20 years, and I’ve seen some amazing transformations along the way. 

Although everybody is unique {by design}, I’ve noticed that there are a few common reasons most women dread summer.

In this blog, I’ve broken down the reasons you aren’t psyched for summer and what you can do to fix it. 


#1:  YOU DON’T LOVE YOUR BODY

You’ve been in hibernation all winter, wrapped up in hoodies and blankets. It was a glorious season while it lasted!  All the extra bites and added indulgences were in hiding – a covert operation of epic proportions.

Layers of clothing fall away as temperatures skyrocket – leaving most women feeling uncomfortable and disconnected from their bodies. Feeling shamed in shorts or embarrassed by bathing suits makes life awkward, not to mention hot. 

Body shame is no respecter of size or stature.

If you don’t see yourself the way God sees you, it’s difficult to look in the mirror and find what you’re looking for {love and acceptance}.

Adopting God’s perspective will help you shift your mindset – making it easier for you to smile back at your reflection instead of cringing and looking the other way.

Have no fear – There is hope on the horizon.

What can you do to fix this?

Stop Comparing: Wasting precious time wishing and waiting to become someone else derails the call of God on our lives. We can’t afford to miss out on the treasure staring back at us in the mirror. So many of us are still daydreaming about trading bodies or entire lives with other women. Stop allowing the women we see on social media to define your beauty. It’s fake news you aren’t meant to follow. Flip the switch and start believing you are who God says you are. God’s truth is the true measure of a woman. I created a cheat sheet for you to help with this; What does God say about you? Download it here.  

An attitude of Gratitude: Give thanks for the skin you’re in. Instead of picking faults and flaws, consider repeating what you love about yourself. Gratitude is contagious. You will spread joy around you. Folks will remember how you made them feel more than how your thighs look in shorts.

Walk it out: The world is waiting for you to show up. But women everywhere are hiding behind closed doors. Missing opportunities left and right because we don’t like how we appear when we show up. Not on our watch! God knew exactly what he was doing when he created you. You are beautiful and by design. Other people are waiting for the blessing that only you can offer. Get busy living today! Nothing looks as good as confidence feels. Wear it well, my friend.


#2: YOU’RE  NOT FOLLOWING A ROUTINE

There’s a lot of freedom and time to kill and fill when it comes to summer. Things like late nights and lazy days become the norm. I don’t blame you if you’re falling into this trap, as it’s generally the top reason we love summer.  But if you do it too long, you will struggle to survive.

Having a reliable routine is key to our sanity. But during the summer, schedules fly out the window faster than your teen can click off their device when you enter the room. And the disruption to our days can be super streeesssful

You are either playing Julie McCoy as the cruise director, keeping your kiddos occupied all day, every day. Or, you may suddenly find your college kids – and all their boxes of stuff – back in the house after a nine-month absence. 

Either way, summer break can disrupt your work, sleep, and eating habits, all contributing to the summer struggle.

What can you do to fix this?

Simple routines to organize your summer days include:

  • Set the alarm: Same time, every day. Bonus: Consider a buffer before the kids rise for a bit of self-care.
  • Dress for the day: Swap your jammies for yoga pants. And wear a bra, for Pete’s sake…talking to myself here 🙂  Trust me; you’ll walk a little taller.
  • Quiet time: Get with God. This one thing can make or break your day. Don’t leave home without it!
  • Eat meals at regular times: I tell my kids to wear their school stomachs in the summer. Otherwise, it’s a feeding frenzy all the ding-dong-day-long. I can’t keep up.
  • Earn your shower: Move your body for 30 minutes a day – don’t stop ’til your skin shines brighter than a glazed donut. 
  • Limit screen time {for you and the kids}: Consider chores, activities, or tasks to complete before busting out the devices. Time is earned, not given.
  • Lights out: Sleep is everything. Pick your bedtime and stick to the plan. The sweet spot is 6-8 hours a day. It’s more important than nutrition and exercise. Google it. #truth.

Wanna create some holy habits? I can help you follow a proven framework with an action plan that you can stick with. Check out my Mentorship with Mel here. 


#3: YOU’RE OVERWHELMED

There is a lot of hype around summertime fun time. The list of uh-may-zing opportunities you could and should be doing is endless: Pools, markets, camps, concerts, beaches, day trips, bike rides, parties, oh my!

That’s a lot of pressure!

Social media makes it even worse.  We get bombarded with pictures of friends and family having a great time. And if we are really honest with ourselves, seeing others enjoying themselves can make us feel like a failure. And that’s when we start to beat ourselves up over everything we’re not doing. Silly, Satan.

I don’t blame you if you’re feeling overwhelmed –  it’s a lot to live up to.  Even if you manage to squeeze in all the things, you will need a break from your summer break when all is said and done.

What can you do to fix this?

Include Jesus in your day: All the extra togetherness during the long summer days elevates the degree of bickering, whining, and complaining. It’s enough to fry your last nerve! Take your eyes off yourself {and each other}. Look up and look out. Invite the power and presence of the Holy Spirit into your heart and home. Nothing changes the room’s atmosphere or your mood faster than worship music. Read the word, dive into a devotional or spend time in prayer. 

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.

Psalm 46:1

Schedule downtime: Relax. Just because it’s summer doesn’t mean you have to be busy 24/7. Close the curtains, get cozy, and cuddle up. You are not lazy or crazy if you spend part of your day resting, reading, or recharging. Scheduled breaks that give you the chance to reset are fuel for your fire.

Get the help you need: The summer struggle may be real, but it doesn’t have to last. Raising your hand for help is not the same as raising the white flag in surrender. You’re not calling it quits, your calling in reinforcement. That’s wisdom, not wimpy.

Just say no: Don’t let obligations drag you down. Set boundaries and don’t apologize for them. Before committing to plans, ask yourself: Is this what you really want? It’s okay to disappoint others in the name of your sanity. Protect yourself before you wreck yourself.


What now?

I’m sure after reading this blog; you can see why so many women are not psyched for summer. Hopefully, now you realize you are not alone! Take this little nudge from me to you and go tackle the summer struggle. You can do hard things! 

If you need a more personalized playbook on how to slay your days, then book a free consult call with me. Let’s add steps to your faith and chase down those dreams dancing in your head. Email me at: melissa@melissachu.org

I believe in You!
XO,
- Melissa

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