My Summer Bubble

Summer 2026 is coming to an end, and I have accepted that this summer was not like the rest.

Someone said to me, “I haven’t seen you outside this summer.”

Another said, “You traveled a lot this summer.”

Neither statement is entirely accurate. I attended a few events and took one trip.  

I had to let go of many things I enjoyed, including hobbies, social outings, constant productivity (at home and work), and even rest on my own terms. Instead, I was forced to rest by circumstances beyond my control, creating my summer bubble.

But on the flip side, accepting what I couldn’t control and truly letting go allowed me to be fully present in the moment. This experience highlights a universal truth: sometimes, surrendering control brings us closer to acceptance and presence. And by doing so, I didn’t miss much.  

Being present didn’t mean replacing that time with a new hobby or worrying about what I could or couldn’t do. I stopped caring about which event I missed, which friends I didn’t hang with, or even who I didn't speak to.  I even ended a dating relationship that wasn’t aligned with what I needed or wanted in a partnership, which helped me feel more grounded in myself.

 Instead, I connected more with myself and tuned into what my body needed. I slept, cooked meals, sat in my yard, gazed out into the lake, sunbathed, read, journaled, and binged some K/C-dramas.  I bonded with my daughters even more than I thought possible. We laughed so much this summer. They attended fewer camps, which gave us 5 weeks at home. It was wonderful to share that time together and feel grateful for it.

I didn’t take this time for granted. It’s not often that anyone gets to pause and be in a bubble. But it was interesting to live day by day, driven by no purpose other than being.