As a writer, working with my summer schedule has proven to be a something of a challenge. Travel picks up, kids are home to visit, graduations, parties, and barbecues fill the weeks. Trying to consistently carve out extended writing time is next to impossible, so I’ve learned to adapt.

I like to think about my creative life in terms of seasons. Over the years, I’ve learned to work with my personal rhythms, on a daily, weekly, and seasonal schedule. When I honor that rhythm, my productivity over time is really good. I think it’s important to manage my schedule from both a short term and long game perspective.

I’m most productive in the fall. The crisp days and my quiet house recharges me. I pack my writing schedule during this time of year and take advantage of my energy level. Summer feels different. I want to enjoy the backyard barbeques and yes, maybe, a few more cocktails, so planning to generate a lot of content just isn’t realistic. However, I am very creative in the summer. I love to bring my laptop onside and write on the porch or take it with me on vacation and sit on the pool deck. Summer reminds me that although writing is my actual job now, I still find great joy it.

I’ve also learned to create realistic goals in the summer. I have to be honest with myself. I can’t complete the entire first draft of a manuscript while the kids are home to visit, or while my in-laws have come for a vacation. I’ve accepted that it’s okay to simply want some time off, and I set my goals accordingly.

I look forward to the summer. I love the sunshine, the warm weather, the beach, and the slower feel to my days. I also look forward to the creative burst I feel at this time of year. By honoring the way I work best, and planning accordingly, I feel less stress and more joy during my favorite time of year.

“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time." —John Lubbock