The Summer Slowdown: Sounding Off, Taking Naps, and Summer Bucket Lists
The Rebellious Systems "Slowdown" — Issue #8 | July 2024
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Friends,
It is hotter than hell outside and it’s impacting everythinggggg... my mood, my productivity, my will to move my body or leave the house.
I’m prone to summertime sadness. My seasonal depression always hits around this time of year.
One of the ways I’m navigating the summer blues right now is by facilitating Groove’s weekly accountability crews. Every Monday, we meet to set an intention for the week before being paired with two other Groovers. With a daily chat check-in and a 20-minute celebration circle on Friday, it makes checking things off my to-do list a whole lot easier (and more fun).
This week, I was in a crew with Patty, who was the latest guest on the Rebellious Systems podcast, and Kevin, who is launching a really sweet initiative on Monday called — a daily gratitude challenge throughout July. I can’t think of a better way to beat the heat than with some intentional gratitude! Wanna join this free challenge with me?
If you’re reading this, I’m really grateful for you. It’s an honor to have a place in your inbox; I don’t take that lightly! Happy Friday, and enjoy The Summer Slowdown 🌞
Peace, love and gratitude,
Andrea
📝 3 Things
Three things to check out…
I’ve found myself being drawn to the app Sound Off more often lately. Journaling is sometimes easier for me when I can verbalize it instead of writing it all down. It allows me to verbally process my thoughts without bugging my sister for free therapy advice (which I still do, tbh lol).
TL;DR: Yeah, they are!
“…researchers recommend you aim for an early afternoon nap — after 1 p.m. but not later than 4 p.m. — when many folks, like myself, experience that natural dip in daytime energy. Some even say it’s best to nap prior to 2 p.m. just to be safe when it comes to preserving nighttime sleep. In addition, keeping that daylight snooze within a range of no less than 20 minutes but no longer than 90 minutes will offer the best benefits without causing sleep inertia — that grogginess, disorientation, drowsiness, and cognitive impairment we sometimes feel upon waking.”
In this weather… ya don’t have to tell me twice. Also, apparently, some people are genetically predisposed to napping!
🌈 40 Fun Things to Do When It's Too Hot Outside
Should we bring back Summer Bucket Lists? Did they ever go away?! I recently became obsessed with jewelry-making and am getting back into my daily coloring book routine. Here are some ideas to get your list started (no kids required, even for the first list 😘)
🤓 Good Reads
Check out some Substack posts that inspired me recently…
“Much to the horror of a former version of myself, I no longer believe that something has to be evidence-based or peer-reviewed in order to be valid or true…So I find myself continually frustrated by the binary we seem to have developed. The more I learn about how to feel well in a broken world, the more I’m struck by how varied and large the toolbox is. Why aren’t we encouraged to use all of it?”
“I think perhaps this is a critical part of art consumption and art production—to revisit the pieces we’re proud of (and the ones we’re not); to read the lesser-known books by our favorite authors, as well as books by authors we’ve never heard of and that no one seems to be talking about. The same sentiment goes for music, movies, design inspiration, etc. etc.
And so I’ve decided I want this summer to be one of creative nostalgia. I want to revisit old writing, listen to the albums I’ve loved and forgotten, and read books by authors who never made it onto an Oprah book rec list.”
That’s all folks❣️ If you have a resource or event you’d like to share with Rebellious Systems subscribers in the next edition of The Slowdown, please reach out and we’ll see if it’s aligned:
Enjoy this post?
Consider buying me a cup of tea, which I’ll sip while creating more rebellious content for you 🤘☕️
My name is Andrea (On-Dray-Uh) Reeves (she/her), I’m the founder and systems strategist behind Type C Creative.
I’m a biracial, Black, aroace woman with ADHD and OCD. I’m an unapologetically atypical human who runs my own business on vibes, values, and good systems that meet me where I am.
I work with fellow neurodivergent, queer, and creative solopreneurs who are ready to find simpler, more compassionate and intuitive ways of running their businesses.