Reaching the mid-point of summer, I like to tune in with people to see how their summer is unfolding for them and their family. As summer is such a key rejuvenating time of the year for many it is important to check-in to see if summer intentions are matching up with what is unfolding. It can be easy to fall victim to the overscheduling and leaving little room for down time. If you are looking for more balance this summer, and are feeling like you have not found it this article is for you! Please find below some ideas to support you in finding the summer balance you need:
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This is definitely a commonly asked question! And although I practice both talk and art therapy, I am more leaning towards the benefits of art therapy in this article as there is less information about this topic compared to the various forms of talk therapy, if you are looking for some more information about talk therapy please check out this link. To start art therapy does not rely solely on the verbal as a means of self-awareness, exploration of experiences, and understanding of feelings. The art acts as a gateway to explore things in ways that can allow clients to self-regulate through the art. Verbal therapy approaches can also offer ways to self-regulate with teaching relaxation tools and utilizing meditation. As I have the experience of providing both talk therapy and art therapy, I find the art intrinsically taps into this ability to open up more avenues of reflection and self-understanding. Talk therapy also has its numerous benefits, and can be a great option for many.
With summer upon us, kids out of school, and trying to manage the demands of home life and work life, “mom guilt” can start to amplify. Most of us feel the weight of mom guilt throughout the entire year, particularly at the times for many moms when our children highlight the ways we are not fully present, their upset about us missing an important event, or telling us they want to spend more time together, or in those moments when we finally have a break for ourselves and we feel the weight that we must be doing something productive. Mom guilt in the summer can be even louder than other times in the year as there is the usual pressures of the juggling act between work and home life, along with coordinating camps and/or care, and the weight many moms feel to create lasting childhood summer memories. With these added responsibilities we feel, it can lead to increase in anxiety, and feeling burnout. I have had those summers in the past particularly during the summers of covid, when I felt completely run down by August, thinking to myself I thought summer was supposed to be the time to recharge, not burnout. With these moments in time, I tap into what I know and what I have learned along the journey thus far, and pivot to see how I can support myself differently. Please find below 4 possible ways you can cope with summer mom guilt and support yourself to have a more fulfilling summer:
With summer in full swing, and many wanting to soak up the summer moments. I thought I would write a special edition blog with some of my favourite spots in the Ajax and surrounding area for summer and all year round. As I feel getting outside in the summer is so important as well as all year round! Also, I would recommend checking out my blog article “Making the Most of Summertime” while finding the right balance for your family. Below are 4 of my favourite spots to take the kids and family:
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AuthorI am a Registered Psychotherapist and Art Therapist. And I have been writing this blog since May 2021 about various topics including parenting, supporting adult and child mental health, and holistic approaches. The intention of this blog is to provide resources and information to others, however it is not intended to take the place of therapy. If you have any questions about anything written please reach out to me. Archives
June 2024
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