What I Learned This Summer (So Far)
- Cara McLauchlan
- Aug 6
- 3 min read
Summer is winding down and with it comes the age-old question,"what did you learn this summer?"
Here are few things I'm taking away from this summer season, so far:
Slow Summer Beats Busy Travel Summer.
Don't get me wrong, I love a good busy, chock-a-block adventure. But you know what I've enjoyed most this summer? Watering my plants, sipping coffee on my porch stoop while the owls hoot early in the morning. Taking a walk in the soft, warm mornings before the world wakes up. The tiny, gentle things have been way more nurturing than getting in the car or packing a bag to go somewhere.
You Can Play Until It's Dark.
In the olden days when dinosaurs roamed the earth, my mom would say, "go play outside - but be home by dark." Lately a few friends have invited me out to play pickleball in the evenings or to play golf as the sun is setting or to do some fun activities closer to sunset. Partly because it's cooler or simply a scheduling thing. Maybe it's just me, but playing outside until its dark has a certain old school nostalgia to it.
Make Friends with Strangers (Sometimes)
When I was travelling in Michigan this summer, we happened to strike up interesting conversations with complete strangers. Upon learning we were visitors to the town for the first time, they shared an insider tip of a "secret beach." As soon as we had the opportunity, we visited the secret beach and it lived up to every bit of its fame. During that weekend trip we had some interesting and funny conversations where people shared their family history, their favorite eating spots, the best coffees and ice cream flavors and best places to get from point A to point B. I'm reminded that by simply being open, friendly and light-hearted, you can enjoy some neat opportunities for connections with complete strangers.
Taking a Break from Social Media is a Huge Gift.
This summer, I decided I would take a break from posting on Instagram and Facebook. Not super strict, and I would post if needed, but off social media more than on. Also, when I was on, keeping it to five minutes. And you know what, nobody cared. Did I miss out on any cool stuff? Probably. But I also found that my mind felt freer to not have to like things or shop or be algorithymed or keep up on the hot take of the moment. In short, my mind and attention span got a break to be present to life. I get that social media has it's place and if you love it, more power to you. But taking a summer vacation from screens felt like a true gift for my heart.
Creative Pursuits Remind Me of My Best Self
This summer a friend invited me to make some pottery in her studio. I was tempted to pass as I don't really think of myself as an "artsy" person. But my kind friend cheered me on and coached me on how to shape the clay, form it and make it into a little bowl. There was something so satisfying about working with your hands and smoothing the clay into its shape. Despite being an amateur potter, there was a place in my heart that awakened a bit that day. It felt like remembering a part of me that I had forgotten. When I sprinkle in things that remind me of my playful self, it can't help but allow me to become more alive in the process.
Summer of Surprises
If I had to sum up my summer learnings, I would say that it has been a summer of surprises. I think God likes to do that when He's showing off. He takes all those ordinary little things like slowing down, playing after dark, taking a break, shaping a bowl -- a collection of simple things that on the surface don't really sound like much. But when He places them carefully in our days, they make our lives shimmer.
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