Wednesday's Words of Wisdom: The Cure for Summertime Blues Is to Turn Every Day Into a Staycation

Thought for the Day: It is summertime and unlike the words of the song, the living is not always easy. Some people are feeling stressed and depressed. They may be are out of work, having trouble selling their homes or can't afford to go on vacation. Seeing others going on vacation may make them feel the summertime blues. I was fortunate enough to take a few days off from Friday till Monday evening this week. It was wonderful spending time at the beach and exploring the Hamptons. (It lead to my not posting on Monday and Tuesday, but it was a great getaway.) People who own condos there were reporting that businesses are not doing very well this summer. Restaurants are not as busy and even the traffic is a bit less than in previous years. If this is the case in one of the wealthiest areas of the country, my guess is that the economy is impacting on families across the nation. So my words of wisdom today are:

          The cure for summertime blues is to turn every day into a Staycation. 

There are many ways to have a great summer without spending a fortune.

     I usually do not take a long vacation over the summer. Sometimes, over Christmas vacation I take a more extended vacation. During the summer, I prefer to take long weekends. When I do, I plan shorter trips or go to local events. There are many ways to have a great summer without traveling far from home.

Brubeck Room at
Wilton Public Library

     Even on days when I am working, I try to do things that take advantage of the summer weather. In almost every town in Fairfield county there are free outdoor performances. The Levitt Pavilion in Westport has nightly events from the beginning of July until August. There is something for everyone, from dancing lessons, children's performances, jazz, blues and country music, to comedy nights and movies. Stamford's Jazz Alive for free on Stamford Commons has 4 top notch performances on Tuesday evenings in July with B.B. King on July 16th. The Wilton Public Library Summer Music and More has jazz concerts once a week and movies in the wonderful Brubeck Room, a performance space well worth visiting. New Haven also brings major artists to their summer series. 

     If we have time to go into New York City (an hour away by train or car) there are even more free events. To get free tickets to Shakespeare in the Park, you need to stand in line early in the morning, but it is well worth the wait. Often you meet interesting people waiting in line which can be part of the fun. Every year we try to make a few of the dance events at Midsummer Nights Swing at Lincoln Center. You can hear a variety of live bands and dance for free on the plaza. Or if you pay admission, you can take a lesson and dance on a wooden dance floor they install outside. There are also street fairs all around the city with food, entertainment and rides. Music festivals all summer long provide great entertainment for a day trip or camping out on weekends as well.

     Even without traveling, when the weather is nice, a backyard picnic, a walk in the park, around a lake or on a beach or a swim in an outdoor pool, can feel like a mini-vacation. A trip to an ice cream or yogurt store with outdoor seating can make an evening after work feel like a vacation.

     So, if you are feeling depressed because you cannot afford to go on an expensive vacation, pretend you are a tourist. Take it easy and find a way to relax and enjoy yourself this summer! Google events within an hour's drive from home. You may be surprised to discover many great free or inexpensive events near where you live. Take advantage of them and it will help cure the summertime blues.