Many years ago, the late Andy Rooney penned a poignant piece entitled “A Bad Case of the August Blues.” He wrote how August was always the most depressing month of the year for him and many others. Among the examples for his opinion were lines like this:
• The vacation is over, but the bills to pay for it are just coming in.
• The grass, which was so lush and green and actually fun to mow is now turning brown and mowing has become a chore.
• The heat, which was a welcome change in June, is now oppressive and often overwhelming.
Mr. Rooney’s piece really resonated with me.
As a kid I recall the depressed feelings I would get once the county fair was over. It usually began the first weekend in August and concluded the following Saturday. Once it was over, I knew the school year would begin and the carefree days of summer would be over. I didn’t mind school, but I hated losing summer. That feeling continued into my adult years, but for a different reason. The end of summer signaled the beginning of winter for me. Winter in the Midwest, unless you like snow, ice and biting cold, was always something to be endured, not enjoyed. As an adult, once Jerry Lewis sang “You’ll never walk alone” on the MDA Labor Day Telethon, I knew autumn would soon be here.
Today, August still has a tendency to get me down. I look around and see all the things I want to get done before the days grow even shorter. Recalling June when it stayed light longer and realizing my minutes are slipping away. I notice this feeling in other people as well. Maybe, as Mr. Rooney pointed out, it is the “oppressive” heat that helps make August overwhelming. After all, it usually is the hottest month of the year. Add in high humidity and breathing becomes far more difficult. I’m no doctor, but I know lack of air to the lungs and brain causes panic and all kinds of issues to the body. Even the dog isn’t crazy about going for an afternoon walk in August. I know it’s time to turn for home when his tongue starts to drag the pavement.
So how do we deal with August? How do we keep it from overwhelming our body and mind?
Here are a few suggestions:
• Take one task at a time. If you have a list, that’s fine, but don’t try to complete the entire list in a day. Space things out and celebrate each successful task.
• Plan your day so your biggest tasks are done first when you’re fresh. Setting priorities is always the best way to accomplish things. It reduces stress because you’re taking care of the most important things that lie in front of you. Just like the old adage of putting the big rocks in the jar first so all the little rocks can fit in as well.
• Don’t stress about what isn’t getting done. If it’s on your list, in priority order, it will get done. At the end of the day, assess what you accomplished and feel good about yourself. All too often, we let what we haven’t completed overwhelm us and that leads to a defeatist attitude. Remember the sidewalk cracks filled with weeds will disappear in December. So if you don’t get to them, don’t worry about it.
• If you have outdoor tasks to complete, do them in the morning or right before dusk. That way you do your best to avoid the oppressive heat. When forced to do outdoor activity in the heat of the day, take frequent breaks, drink plenty of fluids and work in the shade as much as possible.
I’ve learned the secret to defeating the overwhelming feeling of August is to find the shade. It rejuvenates your spirit, refreshes your mind and helps you breath. Shade allows you to pause, reflect, and assess what you’ve accomplished. It makes you feel cool.
You’ve heard the phrase “In the heat of the moment.” It seems to me we rarely react the way we want to “in the heat of the moment.” If we had the wherewithal to step back into the shade, I’d venture to say we’d have much more success with our decisions and our outcomes. The same is true for life. Particularly life in August. Prioritize, pace yourself, don’t stress, and find the shade.
Until next time….