Summer joy list

trying to prioritise joy over productivity

I wrote recently about my winter joy list, of which I only managed 1.5 out of 5 activities, and how I didn’t set a spring list at all. I find it really hard to prioritise joy over productivity. Living in a renovation house, with a garden that needs designed somewhat from scratch, it's hard to make space and time for activities that don't appear to move things forward. When faced with a to do list versus a joy list, I will always default to getting things done, even at the expense of rest. I tell myself “just one more thing” before I'll allow myself to sit down, often leading to me collapsing in a hangry heap by 3.30pm, having missed lunch. Or gaining a banging headache by early evening because I haven't stopped to drink water all day.

I recently visited my parents and observed this exact behaviour in my dad, so at least I know who to blame. It made me more determined than ever to try to break this habit, since I don't think it brings him any joy either. By the time I'm retired, I would like to be better at stopping to smell the roses. It's hard when there's so much to get done, but sometimes I need to stop and ask myself “what's the worst that would happen if this task isn't completed?” Nine times of ten, the answer is literally nothing.

To that end, here are some activities purely for joy, that I would like to do this summer

Take Badger on a solo date

This feels especially pertinent, because he's never going to be as young and fit as he is right now. We do a lot of solo dates to places like B&Q and the dump, but it would be nice to take him somewhere more pleasant, like the beach.

Take Rosie on a 10km run

I've procrastinated on this one because it requires a small amount of route planning and weather watching. Not so much as to be insurmountable but enough for me to procrastinate. I would like to work in a coffee shop somehow.

Seasonal front door planters

Inspired by these beautiful displays seen at Chelsea, I want to source some lupins and foxgloves to make some pretty planters. After they're done, I can replant them in my borders for next year's colour.

Construct a pond

Andrew and I have finally agreed on the best position for a wildlife pond and I want to get this done over the summer. I’m using this pond seen at Chelsea, as my inspiration. My in-laws were very helpfully getting rid of a solid paddling pool, so my plan is to use this as the liner. There’s a distinct possibility of dogs running through it and drinking from it, so a solid liner will reduce the chances of punctures and leaks. If I have it done by the end of the summer, the wildlife will have all of autumn and winter to find it, so fingers crossed for frogspawn next year!

Make jam

My rhubarb is thriving, and arguably I have far more than I will ever use myself. Last year I made rhubarb and red currant jam, and since my red currants are just setting fruit at the moment, this feels like a perfect summer joy list task. I eat it myself on toast or with yoghurt, but I mostly give it away to friends and family. In that, it’s a task that brings me joy twice.