Longer Days –  3 Day Weekends – Grilling – Biking – Running – Playing – Picnic – Water Skiing – Pool Time – Vacation

Are you ready?

Whether you have kids around the home or not, summer is definitely a more relaxed time of the year.   The days stretch longer giving you more time for fun.  Everyone is taking a vacation at some point, making your commute just a little bit easier.  And you get to wear shorts with flip flops everywhere!

Have you made plans to get the most out of your summer this year?  When we settle back into fall & everyone is sharing their stories of “What They Did Last Summer,” will you have stories to tell?  Here’s five steps you can take to create your stories.

1.  Review Calendar    Sit down with your calendar so you can see there is actually very little time available for you to have fun.  Compare with your work calendar.  Highlight the dates available for a vacation.  Highlight the weekends for quick family fun events. Highlight an evening here and there for an out of the ordinary family event.

2.  Schedule Vacation  Choose your destination & get it booked now.  Yes, you will be too busy to go but you NEED this time off to be able to keep going.

3.  Schedule Kid Options   Summer away camps, local weekday camps, daily activities, family actives in your own city.  You can either check your local paper/magazine for ideas or go directly to museums, arboretums/botanical gardens, music venues, libraries, YMCA or your city websites.  The media has gathered most of the information for you. If not, options are listed on websites.  See what activities match your children’s likes & your calendar.

4.  Schedule Adult Options  Go ahead & get on your calendar that 3 day weekend getaway to Austin, the rock concert, the spa day, the golf day, reading in your favorite chair, or whatever means relaxation for you.  If you don’t put it on your calendar, it won’t happen.

5.  Enjoy  This might seem trivial now but will be extremely hard when the scheduled activity arrives.  There will always be something pressing pulling you away from these fun activities.  Don’t give in!  Your down time for yourself & with family/friends is important.  Your boss makes time for it, why shouldn’t you?

Don’t be the one who was just status quo this summer.  You be the one with the amazing stories of memories created with family & friends.  Summer memories you will keep for a lifetime.  It’s worth it.

I’m here to help you by disclosing my knowledge of how to organize & be prepared for any situation.  I will show you tips & tricks through posts on the Styled & Organized Living Facebook page, @StyledOrganized on Twitter & the Styled & Organized Living Pinterest page.  Some posts will be simple tools while others will be ideas to consider.   But all will show you how to gain a little more control over your life through organization because Life is Better Organized!