Lately I find myself wanting to make a conscious effort to appreciate every last drop of what we have left of summer. So many of us focus on all of the things we have to get done that there is little room left for play. So when one of our writers suggested a story about the importance of just letting go and having a good time, I embraced the idea of having her write about that immediately.
There’s always something that needs to be done – work, projects, cooking, caretaking, housework – the list is endless. We work hard in this county. According to the Center for American Progress, Americans work more than anyone in the industrialized world. We take less vacation, work longer days, and retire later. Annually, we work 137 more hours than the Japanese, 260 more hours more than the British, and 499 more hours than the French. We don’t have a federal law requiring paid sick days, and are the only industrialized country in the world that has no legally mandated annual leave, as compared to most countries where workers get at least 20 or 30 paid vacation days.
It’s great if you’re like me, and love working – sometimes it’s hard to remember to come up for air and just breathe! But working constantly also leads to stress, and a lower quality of life. It’s important to unwind, spend time with loved ones, enjoy our hobbies and connect with friends. Work-life balance is important.
So don’t let the summer slip away, only to find yourself complaining this fall about the cold days ahead. Savor the season. Get out and play, and don’t forget to breathe. It’s good for you, and good for those around you.
