Staying Cool in Heated Times
Finishing Projects & Surviving the Hottest Days of Summer 🔥🥵
Clica aquí per a la versió en català.
Hello Sweet Friend,
How did July treat you?
It was an incredibly busy month for me but in a great way. It was time to hyperfocus and finish the draft of my novel, so I secluded myself at home to write, write, and write.
I am happy to report that on July 24th a few minutes before midnight, I wrote:
The End.
It is done, finished, acabada.
After a bit over a year and a half, I have written a fiction novel and it is no longer in my hands. Fair winds, my little dear. 🎉🥳
It feels quite cathartic…
It will return soon with notes and feedback from the editor that I am looking forward to, so I am still very much in the process, but the story, in a way, has now been told.
I can take a breather and resume life, so thank you for holding space for this brief pause I have taken from The Pause. 🙏🏾
Cooling Down the Summer Fire
Speaking of breathers, I’ve once again taken off to Europe to get my Crohn’s treatment and continue writing, and I will be spending my birthday in my hometown for the first time in more than a decade (stay tuned for some celebratory goodies!)
The weather in Barcelona is scorching hot; the city reached its highest temperature in 110 years just yesterday, and it has been a great reminder of the tools I have to help me stay cool, no A/C or swimming pool necessary.
As I design a schedule for the next few weeks, I remind myself that this is a time of year to move extra slowly and to let ourselves do as little as possible, or as I call it, embracing the Law of Minimum Effort.
In Ayurveda, summer is associated with the pitta dosha, which is characterized by heat, intensity, and transformation.
Pitta energy governs digestion, metabolism, and energy production. While this fiery energy brings vitality and enthusiasm, an excess of pitta can lead to irritability, inflammation, and overheating, which is often aggravated by the high temperatures of Summer.
To balance pitta, it's essential to focus on cooling practices, foods, and activities.
Slow Productivity: Nurturing Your Inner Fire without Burning Out
In the heat of summer, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and burned out, no pun intended.
I find it hard sometimes to get myself to cook food or clean my house because every time I move I start to sweat like a snowman in the sun.
Every fiber of my being wants to be lounging by a pool or under a big tree, yet there are projects I have to work on and words I want to write.
Neuroscience shows that slowing down can actually enhance our productivity and creativity, so there is a way to stay productive, and also lounge and relax.
The brain's default mode network (DMN), which is active when we are at rest and not focused on the outside world, is crucial for creativity, problem-solving, and self-reflection.
“So, Laia, are you saying that embracing a slower pace during the hot Summer days (or all the days) not only helps cool down my physical body but also allows my mind to relax and rejuvenate?”
YES, that is exactly what I’m saying. And so does science.
SLOW. DOWN. 💛
So how do we stay productive, creative, cool, and calm?
With intentionality and a little planning.
Structuring your day well, and concentrating work, tasks, and chores in small bursts of productivity can give you more space for rest and for life.
Consider trying the Eisenhower Matrix to prioritize your tasks, or join me for a Productivity Session to learn more techniques and tips.
Some Cool Resources 💦
1. Gentle Summer Yoga Flow: Flow into Cool Calm
Embrace the summer warmth with a gentle yoga flow designed to help you stay cool and calm.
Check out my newest YouTube video for a 10-minute sequence by the pool! 💦
Perfect for travel or when you don’t have much time or equipment.
2. Journaling Prompt: Summer Reflections to Stoke Your Inner Fire
Sit somewhere shaded and cool, grab your journal, and take a moment to reflect on your summer experiences.
What is your favorite Summer memory?
List 10 of your favorite Summer activities
What is your favorite way to cool down?
Just have some fun with this, and maybe it’ll inspire you!
3. Summer Reads
If you want to start creating better habits and Summer is a time when you have a little more space, I invite you to replace some of the time you spend watching series and TikTok videos with a good novel.
It’s a great way to escape reality without frying your brain, so I highly recommend it.
Here are some of my favorite Summer Reads:
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal (current read)
The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris (next read)
What are you reading or is on your reading list?
I would love your recommendations, and I am sure other members of this community would too!
Alright, friend!
This is all from me today.
I hope these resources were helpful and inspiring and that you find ways to stay cool and calm, whether that’s physically, mentally, or energetically.
Stay tuned for more resources soon.
Until we meet again pause often, breathe deeply, and be kind - especially to yourself.
Much love,
Laia 💛
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng is on my reading list!! Thanks for recommending it, it reminded me to reserve it at my library 🥰