Leaning Into the Light: How to Balance Productivity and Presence in Summer

As we zoom toward the summer solstice, the days are getting delightfully longer. Daylight until 8:30 often makes my soul sing. It feels like permission for more—more light, more nature, more time to sit outside and photosynthesize (aka lounge among the plants).

Born around the solstice myself, I sometimes wonder if, at a cellular level, my body and mind are wired to crave light. The abundance of sunshine feels like fuel. And yes, I admit: I get a little bummed when we start to lose it bit by bit. But while we have them, these long, light-filled days offer an invitation to pause and reflect.

What is it about the sun and the warmth that makes my soul feel so alive?

I think it’s the feeling of being part of something greater. When I’m outside—feet on the ground, sun on my skin—I’m reminded that I’m not just a brain walking around checking boxes. I’m a body, a spirit, a being.

If you're someone who tends to over-function or stay in go-mode, you’re not alone. The rush we get from being productive is real—and often self-reinforcing. But it can also be exhausting.

Balancing Doing and Being

What I’m learning—again and again—is that productivity doesn’t have to mean urgency. That “doing” can be more meaningful when it’s balanced with simply being.

Spring and summer offer a version of presence that feels different from fall and winter. There’s something about the birdsong, the warmth, the scent of sun on grass that reminds me to slow down. To sit. To breathe. To let joy sneak in through the cracks.

And when I do, I notice something subtle shift:
I can still get things done.
I just move through them with a little more mindfulness…
…and a little more joy.

Where in your life are you craving more light, ease, or spaciousness?
Take 5 minutes today to sit in the sun (or near a window), breathe deeply, and ask yourself:
What might shift if I stopped rushing?

Want support finding a slower, steadier rhythm?
Therapy can offer space to pause, reflect, and realign with what matters most. Whether you’re navigating burnout, overfunctioning, or just feeling a little crispy—you're not alone.

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