The sun is shining and the great outdoors beckons! But when you’re also working a 9-to-5 job, it can feel like you’ve got a blip of time to enjoy it all. While we wouldn’t turn down a chance to be out in the garden or laying beachside all day, we’ve gathered some tips for making the most of the time you do have to enjoy our stunning Michigan summers.
Plan early and actually finalize those plans.
While it’s not officially summer just yet, it’s absolutely the time to be blocking off time on your calendar. Reach out to friends to plan get-togethers, secure tickets to those concerts and sports games, make your must-do list for the season, etc. Because time moves faster than you think, especially when it’s gorgeous outside. Don’t wait and then wish you would have put more thought into making plans! But here’s the critical part: don’t just dream up ideas. Set them in stone and commit to them. You can do it—we believe in you.
Get inspiration and insider knowledge by utilizing CVBs.
Local CVBs (convention and vistors bureaus) literally exist to help reliably inform residents and visitors about all a destination has to offer, meaning they’ve got all the good info on what to do, where to go, and what’s going on. Spend less time digging through the endless bits of info online and peruse their websites to get inspiration for all of your summer plans in one place—a total time saver (local examples include Experience Grand Rapids, Saugatuck-Douglas CVB, Pure Ludington, Visit Muskegon, and more). Less time searching for the right activity—more time actually getting out.
Pack your car!
Whatever your chosen summertime hobby, consider creating a “car pack” for that activity as a massive time saver. With your car always packed, you’re never unprepared to head to your plans right from work, or simply make a spontaneous decision upon leaving the office. For example, keep a cute outfit in a duffle to change into to meet friends for dinner without stopping at home first. Or, keep a stocked beach bag and, say, an inflatable SUP board in your back hatch. Being able to head right to the lake after work increases the likelihood that you’ll get out there much more than if you had to go home and pack all of those items up after already having worked a full day.
Fully utilize your lunchbreaks and time off.
If you have an hour lunch break, listen carefully: Take. The. BREAK. We’re not talking about eating and scrolling on your phone at your desk. Get outside and find a nice spot to enjoy your lunch in the open air, take a walk around the area, visit a local coffee shop, explore a woman-owned boutique. Not only is this a good break for your brain, but you’re also taking advantage of getting out and about while the weather allows. Also, if you’ve got vacation time, for the love, use it. Even if it’s simply a staycation spent sunbathing in your own backyard or balcony.
Work strategically and wake up early.
Of course, every job is different. But if your workload allows, frontload the start of your week with all your heavier tasks so the end of your week doesn’t completely gas you before the weekend even begins. What fun would it be to have a day off but not have the energy to do anything with it? It’s also wise to begin your day earlier than later, whether that means waking up with the sun to fit in your daily walk before work rather than after, or sitting down to start your work day earlier so you can wrap up sooner in the day, allowing more time for summer fun in the afternoon and evenings.
However you choose to make the most of your summer, we hope you feel like it’s time well spent!
Written by Sarah Suydam, Managing Editor for West Michigan Woman.
