78 summers and seasonal impermanence

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We get approximately 78 summers (based on the average life expectancy of males and females combined in the U.S.).

78 feels like a frighteningly small number given how quickly summers pass. My grandparents, Janet, Dale, and John, didn’t see 78 summers.

For some of us, it will be 80, maybe even 90 summers. Others of us may never even see 40, 50, or 60 summers. This is what 78 summers look like:

Not to mention that if you’re anything like me, you might not recall every summer season (How’d I spend the summer when I was 6? I have no idea, thanks for asking.), so 60-65ish summers might feel more accurate.

Sure, time speeds up as we age, regardless, because we have fewer novel experiences, and our perception of time changes. But summers often pass at an inconceivably fast speed as we fill our days with unstructured routines (say goodbye to the school year!), more outdoor activities (pool days, please), vacations (I’m due for some beach time), and enjoyable experiences with loved ones and friends: more Kairos, less Chronos.

And even though it’s still mid-to-late July, I know I’ll be crossing off another beach ball from my list before I know it.

I bottle it as best I can. I take photos, listen to summer playlists at full blast, indulge in summer-themed reads*, order more iced coffees than my body truly needs, slather my body in sunscreen* to spend a few extra minutes outside, and eat a lot of ice cream. I experience joy, heat-induced sleepiness, general sleepiness from having too much fun and too many plans, contentness, and occasional (but worthwhile) travel stress. For me, summer is a season worth bottling and capturing.

But there’s a specific ache that only comes near the end of summer. It lives between a golden hour sunset and the first evening you realize you need a sweater as the air kisses you with a chill it didn’t carry before. It’s in the bittersweet knowing that this is it until next year, another summer gone too soon.

And whether you love and enjoy summer, or prefer a different season entirely, the reality is this: The impermanence of any season of life makes it more desirable to cling to. Recognizing that everything is constantly changing and nothing lasts forever induces a deeper appreciation for where you stand, regardless of what’s to come. You can simultaneously love a season for what it is and miss it while you’re still in it.

Be it 78 summers or 78 years (or 27, 53, or 102), summer (and life) are short. That’s not a tragedy. That’s what makes it precious.

Time Well Spent: Weekly Roundup

1. I recently completed Suzy Welch’s The Values Bridge assessment, which is, by far, one of the most unique values activities I’ve ever come across. The Values Bridge ranks 15 human values from most to least dominant based on your responses. My top value? Voice.

2. I'm all in on summer reads right now (and averaging 100 pages of reading per day!). I finished The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren*(5/5 stars—light, hilarious, and spicy), Every Summer After by Carley Fortune* (4/5 stars), and One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune* (5/5 stars).

3. Lex Roman introduced me to Kat Vellos’ work, and I am enjoying Kat’s "A Year of Meaningful Moments" downloadable and printable booklet for creating personalized holidays and traditions. It’s an A+ resource for creating more intentional moments worth celebrating.

The Takeaways

• What tools or resources can you use to help you uncover your values and live more authentically?

• How can you be more intentional seasonally? Whether through books, music, media, clothing choices, meals, or something else, consider letting the seasons guide your decision-making.

• How might you add more personalized celebrations to your life?

One Newsletter Worth Reading

As a former Senior Communications Manager who knows all about dealing with company politics, (trying) to keep employee engagement from tanking, constant workplace changes, and communicating the tough stuff, Hebba Youssef’s I Hate It Here is genuinely one of my favorite newsletters. (Read Hebba’s take on the Coldplay x Astronomer affair debacle.)

If you work in a people-focused role (e.g., internal communications, human resources, recruiting, change management, administration, people operations, etc.), this one is for you!

I’m Alyssa Towns, and this is Time Intentional, a newsletter exploring what it means to spend our limited (and precious) time intentionally. Extend your love and support by sharing this newsletter with someone you know or buying me a coffee! ☕

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