Summer in our home has always meant losing track of time.

We stay up later and let our body wake us instead of our alarm clocks. Our meal schedule is relaxed, and we eat when we’re hungry. Leftovers seem to taste fresher and the never-ending supply of lemonade and ice tea carries us through the lazy afternoon hours.

We do everything we can to NOT follow a normal schedule because our souls need to do more than breathe – they need to exhale. Slow and easy. It’s been this way for more than 20 summers, and it’s one way we refresh and reconnect with ourselves…by intentionally losing time.

Summer is too short to not learn the value of losing time.

And the benefits are too great to throw away.

~sharper thinking and out-of-the-box clarity

~increased creativity

~more availability in our relationships

~increased enjoyment and contentment

~deeper and more restful sleep

~a renewed sense of hope

Summer is too short to not learn the value of losing time. Share on X

So this week, let’s do our souls a favor by finding ways to lose track of time. Let’s carve 30 minutes, an hour, an afternoon or an entire day out of our routine and schedules to exhale and do what we love. With family and friends or in sweet solitude, let’s find ourselves beyond the ticking of our clocks.

Let’s commit to making rest a priority for our souls and refreshment the rhythm of our heart.

Enjoy these #SummerRefresh ideas!

Lose time in a nature journal

I began using this one a couple of years ago, and I love it because Claire teaches how to get started with creative simplicity and then takes us through each season with prompts and techniques. I’m left both inspired and refreshed when my attention is drawn to what is so easy to overlook.

Create a finger-food picnic

Find yourself in a restful summer read

If you haven’t already started this book, it is the perfect #SummerRefresh book! A detox for your soul, a spiritual journey to refresh and guide. And while you are reading, be sure to incorporate her 6 videos as a fabulous study companion. I think this is the one thing I am most excited about for my summer refresh!

Bonnie Gray – Whispers of Rest

Plant an herb pot garden

Enjoy backyard fun with friends

14 All Time Best Backyard Party Ideas

Sharing our #blogs on #FreshMarketFriday #linkup! #SummerRefresh: 6 Weeks to a Better YOU! Share on X

It’s all about disconnecting from our routines and To-Do’s and reconnecting with what we love and long for…rest, relaxation and renewal. Each week we’ll explore a new topic and find little escapes to let our soul breathe and our spirit smile.

Be sure to stop by each week and link up your fresh posts because I’ll be running a GIVE-AWAY to celebrate one amazing year of Fresh Market Friday! And I want you to have a chance to win a very special gift to say “Thank You” for making this such a sweet place to meet up and share our hearts and our words!