Summer Self-Improvement – 22 Inspirational Ideas

Summer is here. Again. And that means warmer weather, time at the pool or beach, visiting family and friends, and, for many, changing schedules, travel plans, and time off and I hope you are enjoying it all!

In our home, summer also means summer activities we do with kids to keep them entertained. Instead of them lying around, bored, all the time, we sit down at the beginning of summer and create a list of things we want to do together, places we want to visit…

Summer is also great inspirational time for creation and it can even be on the beach (in fact, quite few ideas for my programs has sparkled just there)

Holiday time is a space where you bring yourself to new environment which often gives us opportunity to see our live from different angle and create/adjust new goals for our life and maybe even let go of those that no longer make sense.

We can create new goals in any of these six areas:

Education/Intellect
Personality/Character
Hobbies/Talents
Family
Spirituality/Church
Contribution/Service

Below, are just a few suggestions to inspire you. Pick one or several if you feel inspired. Then, get to work! After all, wouldn’t it be great, at the end of summer, to be able to look back and say, “Hey, I’m not just tan – I’m actually a better person and my life got so much better as an impact of it!”

22 Inspirational Ideas for Summer Self-Improvement

Pick a virtue each month and focus on it. Maybe you need a little more patience. Or perhaps it’s courage you need. Pick one, write it and post it on your fridge or mirror, look up a quote or two to inspire you, and practice. Virtues aren’t simply born with us. We can and must work to develop into who we want to be!
Read. As much as you can. Read for pleasure, yes, but also, read to learn. Read many different varieties of books–self-help, history, culture, whatever you like. And read with your kids too.
Laugh. If you don’t laugh enough, look for ways to get laughing! Work on lightening up, having fun, and letting a little humor into your life. Deep belly laughs are a sure sign of health and vibrancy.
Unplug. How much time do you spend “connected” to technology, TV, and social media? Can you (or your family) use a little less time “plugged in?” If so, summer’s a great time to learn how to ditch the tech and reconnect.
Improve your physical space. Use summer as a time to prepare for fall. Pick one area of the house each week, then spend 15 minutes 5 days a week cleaning out, organizing, and beautifying.
Cut the mental clutter. Create internal space by making time for solitude. Teach your kids how to be alone sometimes too. Solitude is crucial to staying in tune with your spirit and what matters most.
Eat consciously trying to eat as many colorful fruits and veggies as possible. Filling yourself up with the good things leaves less room for the not-so-good and gives you energy too.
Try 24 hours without criticizing anyone nor anything (including yourself!). That includes thinking criticisms. When you make a mistake, the 24 hours start over. It’s harder than you think; at least, it is for me… 😊
Take a class. Ever wanted to try oil painting, Zumba, or horseback riding? Why wait? Summer’s a great time to try something new! It will keep your mind fresh and might even lead you to discover your life’s passion – who knows?
Spend quality time with your kids. Set aside 20-30 minutes (or more) each day to get down and do what they love to do. Really focusing on them helps you stay connected and reduces the “I’m bored” syndrome!
Incorporate more play into your own life. Did you know play is actually a vital part of mental, physical, and emotional health? Set aside 20-30 minutes (or more) a day for you to play, run, laugh, joke. If you need to improve your play (and most adults do), there’s no time like summer!
Get to know yourself. Start a journal and explore who you really are. Start by listing your strengths and weaknesses, adding to the list as summer goes on. When others criticize or praise you, look at it as feedback to help you in your search to better understand yourself.
Learn how your thinking affects your body, feelings, and behaviors. Start noticing the thoughts running through your mind all day. Try a thought record, to help you understand and change your thinking and improve your emotions and behavior. (This is one of the best things I’ve ever learned to do! A fabulous summer goal!)
Practice seeking joy. Remember, happiness is hiding in the moments we create. Look for the joyful moments each day. Write them in a journal so you’ll never forget.
Improve a relationship. Select one loved one and choose to really love them this summer. What is their love language? How can you show them your love and help them feel how much they mean to you? Make it your summer project.
Move your body! There’s no time like summer to improve your fitness. Go for a hike. Swim. Take a walk each day at sunset. Forget about how many calories you’re burning or how hard you’re working. Just get out and enjoy the green world around you every day. It will start a habit of motion and get you FITT!
Forgive someone. Lighten your own load by letting it go. Keep letting it go as often as you need.
Practice and freely share your talents. It can be scary to get up and share with others, but it makes you practice hard, and it’s one of the best way to improve!
Volunteer. Serve at a soup kitchen, make hygiene kits for those in need, pick up trash, or watch a friend’s kids so they can go on a date. Serving others is one of the greatest habits you can develop and will make a huge impact on your character.
Overcome fear. When you want to try something new but feel frozen in your tracks, take a deep breath and do it anyway. Or, start small by signing up for something that will happen later this year or next: A course, a class, a job, a race you’ve always wanted to try. Look to the future and plant a seed today.
Discover your true worth. If your self-esteem isn’t where you wish it were, make it your summer plan to seek the true you and practice self-love.
Appreciate where you are. Enjoy the “now.” Look around. See the beauty. Hear the peace. Smell the goodness. Feel the warmth. Taste the sweetness that is everywhere, if you will only look, you will see.

Oh, and one more thing. No matter which self-improvement idea you chose to try, do the one that pulls you and please make sure and follow this excellent advice: Do your best and befor you know it, you will be a little better than you were yesterday. It’s wonderful way to live your life and it pays off.

Just a little bit better, each and every day and we are winning all the way!