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Late summer check-in

How are you spending the rest of your summer?

Bryce Payne's avatar
Bryce Payne
Aug 26, 2023
Cross-posted by Bryce's Blog
"Good morning. Today I'm re-sharing a post I wrote a few years ago and encouraging you to check in and ask yourself honestly: how close are you to making this your best summer ever? There's still time. Go seize your weekend! Me? I'm going hiking. Be well."
- Bryce Payne

Last week’s issue — an ode to peaches — resonated with many of you. That makes me happy. This week, we acknowledge that the end of August is near and encourage some intentionality.

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Airport check-in one day this summer at PDX. © 2023 by Bryce Payne.

Teachers are already back at work. College students in many places are back on campus (and Bama Rush has happened).

In the United States, summer (at least from a retail perspective) is unofficially bookended by Memorial Day in May and Labor Day in September. This coming week is the last one before Labor Day.

So, how are you planning to spend the rest of your summer?

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Do you have one more trip ✈ planned? One last camping trip 🏕? Or maybe you’re trying to squeeze in a short backpacking trip 🥾? Or a trip to the beach 🏖?

Perhaps you’re on vacation right now.

Just this morning, I saw this headline: 66% of Americans want European-style vacation policies, like being OOO for the entire month of August.

Are you in the 66%?

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Or perhaps your plans are closer to home. Finishing a project around home. Enjoying time outside. Hitting the farmers’ market. Having friends over. Packing a picnic. Lounging in a hammock. Going for a bike ride. Trying pickleball.

Whatever you decide, seize your summer — what’s left of it.

Fall will be here soon enough. Already, the evenings are getting noticeably shorter. This week was the last time the sun set after eight o’clock until next spring. I fear it may be an early fall this year. The leaves of the vine maple are already turning, each day a little more.

Seasons. I love them and the rhythm they provide in our lives.

But let’s not rush them, either. Right now, it’s still summer.

white and multicolored beach ball
Photo by Raphaël Biscaldi on Unsplash

Whatever you do, please enjoy this summer weekend.

Be well,

-Bryce

PS: I’d love to hear you what you do — you can comment, reply via email, or share in the subscriber chat.

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