How To Summer

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Like many people, one of the big questions that’s been on my mind is:

“What is the summer going to look like?”

Today is May 22nd, which is the non-technical beginning of the season. Normally people would be looking forward to some start-of-summer plans this weekend: Memorial parades, barbecues, opening pools, picnics in parks, opening summer places, heading to amusement parks, or even just visiting a local ice cream joint.

But for most people, this isn’t going to be the reality of this weekend. And maybe not even the majority of summer.

As states begin the process of re-opening, we are going to learn a lot: What can be done and at what speed without creating further spikes in the virus spread. And some places will make mistakes and have to shut back down again.

So, what can we make of all the uncertainty moving into this summer?

Here are a few of my thoughts.

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Slow and Messy

It’s going to be slow and it’s going to be messy.

It just is. And as unfortunate as that is to think about, I think it’s something we need to keep in mind.

There’s going to be a desire to jump right in and do everything we’ve been unable to do over the past 10 weeks, but a little restraint is going to go a long way. And I don’t just mean this in terms of doing things like: seeing people, going to restaurants/bars, going to live entertainment, being outside in large groups, or even going back into a work environment.

I also mean to take your time with your own routines.

All of the pressures of the old ways of doing things have not entirely dissipated over the spring. We’re all very likely to start thinking things like:

  • “I should be more productive now - there’s no excuse!”

  • “I really shouldn’t be watching this much TV anymore”

  • “Well, I used to be able to do that no problem - why am I having trouble now?”

  • “What if I actually don’t want to see more people yet?”

  • “I’m still feeling super tired and don’t feel like creating anything - what’s wrong with me?”

In fact, I bet some of us have had these thoughts already, which is totally normal and okay. There’s nothing wrong with this thinking.

Be kind to yourself. It took time to adjust into the lockdown, and it’s going to take as long (if not longer) to adjust to whatever the new world is going to be coming out of the lockdown.

 

Summer Is Not Cancelled

When people say summer is cancelled, my first thought is: No, you’re just not creative.

Totally a rude, knee-jerk reaction, but that’s how I feel.

Summer has not been cancelled. Summer as you’ve always done it - because of XY or Z reasons - is certainly not going to be happening this year. This much is true.

But why limit yourself to one way of doing summer?

I think I’m lucky that I’ve never truly had a summer routine. The closest thing I’ve had is performing at Bristol Valley Theater every summer since 2014, but even that comes with different schedules, groups of people, places to stay, durations, and - of course - shows. It’s not so much a routine as a familiar adventure with an annual twist.

Otherwise, what is a summer routine? I’ve never had a summer house, or lived near a beach, or went to an annual summer camp, or had a set schedule of any kind. And I think that’s great!

There’s so much that can be done during the summer, even if it’s new or different! Instead of different being a negative, it’s more like an adventure! I can hear it now…

“Remember summer 2020 and how weird it was? It was so fun and different!”

If we’re still pretty isolated, enjoy the fact that the weather is warm and you can take activities outside. Even just reading a book! You can spread out more. You can find new places to enjoy your time.

Summer isn’t cancelled, it’s just new this year.

 

It’ll Be Back

Will the world ever really look the same again? No.

But much of it is going to come back.

Perhaps this year you’re lamenting the loss of certain business, activities, and pastimes that you’ve always enjoyed, but they’re not gone forever. Just temporarily paused.

I know that for me, my summer won’t be filled with my favorite things: Theatre, wine tasting tours, restaurants and bars with friends, group gatherings, barbecues, and big family get-togethers.

But they’ll be back. And we can take comfort in that notion.

 

Summer 2020

It’ll be one for the books, that much is for sure.

But take your time. Focus on caring for yourself and those around you. Find a new way to enjoy the season. And take solace in knowing that we will be back again.

Stay healthy and stay well, everyone. Cheers!