I don’t want to alarm folks, but summer is almost over. Before we know it, it will be time to get the kids ready for the new school year, have those final beach days, and start thinking about post Labor Day realities. I am definitely not trying to rush summer’s end, but I do need to set a few goals so I can remind myself to take advantage of these waning weeks of summer and hot weather.
I cannot believe it, but I only went to a NYC beach one time this summer. New York has some amazing beaches just a subway ride away. Whether you’re going to Brighton Beach or heading out to Fort Tilden and Riis Beach, they are well worth the trip. Amazing birds, soft sand, waves that aren’t too dramatic, and oftentimes good crowds, they are little gems not far from the hustle and bustle of city life. Considering the Bronx is the only borough attached to mainland America and the other four boroughs are islands, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that we have such amazing coastlines just minutes from sky scrapers.
I often write about going to museums and spending time in nature birding and playing croquet with friends and getting my Vitamin N (for nature). For the remainder of the summer, I would also like to read a lot more. I often get so busy reading the news and magazine articles that lately my fiction reading has fallen to the sidelines. I am so looking forward to being intentional about reading a bit of fiction before the grind of the school year begins in just a few weeks.
I also like to use the summer months to do a little “summer purging”. As the fall begins to creep in, I often forget about some of my favorite sweaters and warmer clothes, largely because I can’t see them in my closet or drawers. I like to spend the summer months clearing out some of my closets and drawers so I can donate to those who are in need, see what is already in my closet, and to make room for more positive energy to come into my life.
So, what are your summer plans for the next few weeks? Is sleep and staying in on your list or will it be going out more? Reading more books or writing in a journal? Spending time in nature or going on a trip? Whatever you decide, let’s be intentional about savoring the last few weeks of summer, staying cool, and setting intentions for the remainder of the year.
I definitely don’t want to rush summer’s end, but the thought of autumn in New York fills my heart with a level of excitement I cannot measure.
Christina Greer, Ph.D., is an associate professor at Fordham University; author of book “How to Build a Democracy: From Fannie Lou Hamer and Barbara Jordan to Stacey Abrams” and “Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream” and is co-host of the podcast FAQ-NYC.