I'll be the first to admit, August isn't my favorite month. If you know me, you know that I don't love heat and everything is generally sticky and miserable for me this time of year unless I'm in the water.
Come July, I am absolutely counting down the days to cooler weather.
But I try to focus on the positives as well and finding moments of pleasure in the misery make it a lot more bearable.
Sometimes, when the weather cooperates, the month of August can be glorious. There's fresh produce coming in from my parents' garden and I can cook and bake to my heart's delight (in the cool air conditioning).
Here in Michigan, we have lakes everywhere. There are dozens within a half hour drive of me which I try to use frequently. My cousin and her family have a small sailboat so they belong to a local sailing club.
Last weekend we met them along with her sister and her family for a really lovely dinner by the water.
Everyone pitched in to make the meal, there was a firepit to roast s'mores, and a cool breeze coming in off the lake. Everything was drenched in the most beautiful evening light and as we sat in our comfy chairs catching up and watching the sun set, I had one of those moments where I just felt at peace.
That happens less than it should. I struggle with anxiety (much better managed now than it was a few years ago, thankfully!) and I always have a billion things I'm doing.
But in that moment I was very content.
So I've decided I'm going into the new month trying to focus on the things I have to look forward to. Like going sailing with my cousin's husband in a few weeks, plans to go kayaking with a friend, having the first BLT of the season and making roasted tomato soup when the vines are bursting with them.
I'll bake zucchini cookies when the garden gets overrun by them and pick flowers from my mom's garden to put on my desk.
I'm going to enjoy that glorious golden evening light that happens this time of year.
Sure, I'm counting down to crisp fall leaves and enjoying being outside more. But there's a lot to appreciate in August too and I don't want to miss that.
Besides, I'm currently writing a book about a character named August so that seems rather apropos!
What are you looking forward to this month?