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 Maria DiGiorgio is a lifelong New Yorker, who currently resides in Commack, with her family. She is a devoted wife and mother, an educator and designer. Maria is active in her community, as a PTA mom and Girl Scout leader. She has a passion for interior decorating and loves to garden. She is an avid reader, and enjoys writing about life experiences and parenthood, as well as her personal observations about the world around us. |
| No more school, vacations on tap, outdoor activities abound, and a much-anticipated reprieve from most things scheduled and structured. The only problem is, that a lack of organization can quickly lead to chaos, boredom and apathy. Sometimes what we crave is not always exactly what we need. When we go from being highly routinized, to having a loose and laidback schedule it can, at first, seem very liberating. We welcome the opportunity to pick and choose our daily activities and to engage with friends and family in settings and at times that we set forth. However, if we fall victim to a complete lack of structure, we can easily find that we don’t accomplish much of what we hoped to, as we forget to plan, confer with others and look at the bigger picture, which involves time management and realistic expectations. We all know what it’s like to feel like we’re on the precipice of an enormous chunk of time at our disposals, and to think that we can and will achieve so many different goals. While these may, indeed, be noble and noteworthy aspirations, we may actually sabotage ourselves with “lists” that rival the stress-filled schedules we normally maintain throughout the rest of the year. Sub-consciously, we place a huge roadblock in our path to rest and relaxation. The first thing I would suggest is to take a few days, maybe even a full week, to settle into this new phase of being, and to spend some time in thought, as to what is most important for you and your loved ones to accomplish this summer. If it involves greater socialization, come up with a realistic number of things you would like to engage in and talk these over with the people you intend to connect with. If it is getting more rest and regular exercise, then devise a feasible schedule to accommodate these goals, without undue pressure. If that cluttered basement, garage or attic is driving you nuts, schedule a couple of hours each week to tackle these chores without creating anxiety, in the process. If planting some flowers or starting that special garden is high on your list, schedule a trip to your local nursery and take some time to literally and figuratively “smell the roses”, before getting started. Most importantly, I would suggest you revel in the notion that you finally have some more time to do some of the things you have been wanting to. Keep in mind, “Rome wasn’t built in a day”, and neither can your dreams to do everything, take hold in the course of one summer. By taking little steps, with greater clarity and purpose, you will do far more and attain considerably more joy, with ease! |
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20 lucky winners will win $500 each in prizes totaling $10,000. 