If you’re local in the Flathead Valley, it’s been relentlessly 90º and increasingly smokey. According to the Flathead Beacon, we’re under a heat advisory over the next two days, and there are Stage II fire restrictions in surrounding counties. The Montana DNRC reports 59 active wildfires, including one outside Helena and one south of Missoula.
If you’re like me and love summer, you might be inclined to think:
Well, there it goes– literally up in smoke.
I’m sad b/c I love summer & now it’s hot, miserable, AND smokey.
Not being able to see the mountains makes me feel claustrophobic.
I love fresh air, but now I can’t open the windows at night.
We shouldn’t even be outside.
Camping is more fun with a campfire.
You feel dismayed, disappointed, angry, and annoyed.
You complain to your friends, worry about whether you should change your camping plans, and spend endless amounts of time trying to figure out how to get out of here.
You wind up not enjoying your summer.
What can you do instead?
If you were free to focus on something other than the smoke and being disappointed about it, what would you focus on instead?
What else could you spend your time, energy, and effort on? What would be available to fill in the energetic gap?
You might think:
Yes, it’s smokey, and I can’t control the air quality here.
I’m determined to enjoy my summer anyway.
I will not just stay inside and do “nothing” for the rest of the summer.
I have options.
Now, you feel accepting, empowered, hopeful & creative.
From here, you can determine how you would like to play this.
You are better equipped to:
- Focus on things within your control
- Find alternative activities
- Enjoy your summer despite the smoke and heat
- Explore new activities
- Spend time with friends
- Make the most of the season despite challenging conditions
- Reduce your stress and frustration
- Find opportunities for enjoyment and fulfillment in different ways.
A smokey summer can still be your best summer ever.
This is how you create and live a life you love.
