End of Summer Lessons
As a kid I had fond memories of Back to School. Often it meant that my parents would give me a little extra so I could buy the latest fashion, my friends and I would talk about all of our social plans during the year, and, frankly, I was excited about growing up despite adults saying, “Enjoy your youth.” Back to School was about a fresh start and growth. Therefore, I have to imagine that I am not the only one approaching Back to School/end of summer with a bit of anxiety. Which is why I decided to share three questions I am asking myself as we return to school, work, and our end of summer routine:
1. What learnings during this time do I want to continue in the Fall? In business, I know that I want us to continue to offer educational workshops, provide expanded offerings in the digital event world, and, when possible, invest in meaningful professional development. In my personal life, it means continuing to prioritize moments with my family and taking time to eat lunch away from the computer, which I often did not do much before COVID.
2. How will I serve others? One of the biggest gifts of this time is an opportunity to engage in community. During this season, I raised money for an Alzheimer’s association to honor my Dad, signed up to lead a watch party with my church, and accepted more event planning mentees than ever. What I know for sure is that service is a critical part of my proactive mental health routine and actively serving keeps the very real anxiety of this time in check.
3. What matters most? There is a narrative on social media about all the things that we should be doing considering the pandemic and Black Lives Matters movement. While I agree with some of these messages, I think what is most important is for everyone to personally decide what matters most to them and live in direct alignment with those goals. I have found that clarity in my path gives me comfort; and the good news is that this clarity can be revisited and revised as much as necessary.
Back to School for children and adults likely feels different given our current reality. However, COVID has taught us that we can learn, serve, and build community even in the most unusual circumstances. If we have breath and curiosity, I believe greatness can still live.
