As summer begins to wrap up for all of us, we’re all trying to accomplish the things we originally set out to do at the beginning of this sunny season. We think of all the trips we didn’t accomplish, the adventures that didn’t happen, the books that are still unread on our bedside tables and how we didn’t cross off as many things from our bucket list as we’d hoped. Even so, there are always at least a few things — if not more — we can all celebrate about our summer. We may not have gone to the beach as many times as we hoped (can we really ever make it to the beach enough?), but we can still appreciate any journeys we did have during these past few warm months and can work to fit as much summer as we can in the remaining few days/weeks.

Everyone has their own definition of “summer activities,” but there are a few things that fall into most people’s definition: vacation, spending time with those you love and free time/completing . While only a small portion of summer remains, we can all still fit in the things we crave to complete; it all depends on your outlook. A vacation doesn’t have to be a getaway on a tropical island with a cool drink in hand, a vacation can be an afternoon adventure with some friends or a moment to yourself after a busy day. A vacation is anything you find relaxing; that could mean a fishing in a cabin in Maine or it could mean simply sitting on your back porch with a few friends. Even if you didn’t accomplish a grand excursion somewhere tropical this summer, always remember to appreciate the moments you’ve had to relax (even if it’s only in your living room).

When it comes to free time, many people choose reading as a main summer activity. Quite a few people create book lists of what they wish to accomplish by the end of summer; we typically fall short and don’t manage to complete the list. While you may not have completed your reading list goals, I sure haven’t, any dent you’ve put in the list deserves to be praised; even in the summer, it can be tough to find the time to finish one book (let alone a list). So, before you're discouraged about not finishing you're book list (or goals for any other activity), be proud of any size dent you've left in your goal. Just because summer is wrapping up, doesn’t mean you have to retire the list. Continue it throughout the year, and who knows, you might have a fighting chance in finishing the list (or completing a goal).

Each year, it seems as if the summer will last forever and it always surprises me when the season begins to end. Even so, we should appreciate what we have accomplished this summer. Even if you’ve only swam at the local pool and sat on your porch with those you love, you've had quite the summer. Vacations aren’t always as glamorous as a tropical island, sometimes it’s just relaxing with those whose company you enjoy. So, with the remaining time of summer, appreciate an afternoon sitting in the sun or a evening grabbing dinner with a friend; think of the things you have done instead of what you wish you had done.