Recently, my sweet blogging friend, Linda Stoll, invited me and a few other lovely lady bloggers to join her in a synchroblog—answering the question, “What Saved My Life This Summer.”

My mind immediately went to how often I feel emotionally spent by the time May or June rolls around. I’ve been blogging since February of 2009, so I’ve spent a lot of years powering-though those feelings—continuing to churn out blog post after blog post all summer long, instead of refueling.

It was last year that I noticed how very few people really were engaging with my blog during the summer.

They were/are busy with other things like sinking their toes into the sand of a beach or scurrying off to the latest summer blockbuster at the theater with friends and family.

And I don’t blame them!

In fact, I cheer them on in their efforts to make memories at a time when summer kisses those fleeting moments with an extra dose of sweetness.

Naturally, when my blogging “plate” was so full, I felt as if I couldn’t do those things.

So while everyone soaked up the sun and fun of summer, I withered like a sun-scorched raisin. 😉

At some point last year, I decided it was okay to take a summer break. So, you could say that was what saved my life last summer, as well as this summer. After all, I was dying on the blogging vine whenever I ignored my needs in favor of powering through each summer.

Now I am determined to take back every summer—filling it with all sorts of “family and friend times” that refuel me for the blogging days ahead.

Family . . .

So my husband and I took a quick trip out to Denver to visit our youngest son, Braden—checking out his new workplace, his within walking distance apartment, and his great new church that meets in a rehabbed auto garage.

I also spent time with my adorable in-laws in Dandridge, Tennessee. This was the very first time I’ve gotten to spend a few days with them without my husband and kids in tow. It was so wonderful!!

I went a week ahead of my husband so that I could spend a few days with my in-laws before traveling on to Concord, North Carolina for the She Speaks Conference. That experience refueled me in a different kind of way, but also much-needed! #SarahGeringer #TerriHutchinson #LeslieNewman

A week later my hubby came in so we could enjoy the rest of our summer vacation together.

Friends . . .

My husband and I also carved out time during our week-long vacation in Dandridge to get together with our lifelong friends, Kelly and Nickie Kinder. We spent Friday night and all day Saturday with them—staying at a cabin on the grounds of Dancing Bear Lodge in Townsend, TN.

It was soooo much fun! We always have a great time with these two good friends, having gone on several family vacations with them in the past. That’s a true test of any friendship! 😉

We are so blessed to have another couple that we really click with! #marriedfriendships

If you don’t have another couple that you love to do things with, I’d encourage you to find one. It’s really a marriage-enriching experience.

Why Refueling is Needed . . .

1.  We all need to refuel to bring back our sanity after being overloaded.

[Tweet “It’s like a beautiful reset button for my heart and brain! #refuel #summerfun”]

2. We need to refuel to capture important moments in our lives with the people who matter most!

3. We need to refuel to regain our passion and inspiration.

That’s been so true for my ministry here at Messy Marriage. I feel that “fire in my belly” again, thanks to an important break! 😉

Please visit these other lovely ladies and friends who are participating in the synchroblog and answering the same question: “What saved my life this summer!”

Linda at http://www.lindastoll.net/2017/08/4-choices-that-saved-my-life-this.html 

June at http://www.inspiredbyjune.com/2017/08/inspired-by-synchroblog.html 

Lisa at http://www.lisanotes.com/life-in-the-waiting/

So now it’s your turn . . . 

 

What you ‘saved your life’ this past summer and how did it refuel you? 

 

What do you look for as a sign that you need to refuel in your life/marriage?

 

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