In Utah County, April showers bring tankinis, Hawaiian sandals, and a seemingly 50% population decrease.
If you recently noticed a lack of members at your local VASA, you can safely assume summer-sales season has commenced.
For us, it was an internship. Last fall, Shane got an offer to intern for a big-time construction and project management company in Arizona for the summer. Completely ecstatic about the opportunity, we drove down to a nice, little town called Chandler (just south of Phoenix) eight months later.
The few months prior to heading down here, I applied to several internships and scouted out any potential summer jobs I could find. I really wanted to have something to keep me busy and expand my own career and endeavors, as well. As I quickly learned that finding a summer gig in town I didn't currently live in was extremely difficult, I had to get more creative.
Bracing myself for a summer full of 110 degree pool days and lots of screen time, we embarked on our not-so-summer-sales summer.
Thus, the point of the blog post--becoming a housewife for a summer in a new place with different weather, people, and schedules can be quite an adjustment. If you don't have a job, your days can get lost and blended into a swarm of Netflix, tanning, and dish-washing days.
If you're like me and can't stand not being busy, here are six tips to help you manage your first summer as a ~trophy~ wife.
1. Find a community
Find a home away from home. If you're not careful, it can be really easy to isolate yourself in the house all summer while your husband is out there meeting and talking with new people all day.
Without much thought, you could accidentally go through the entire summer by yourself all day and just a few hours with him at night.
While your relationship with your spouse is the most important, it's also important to interact with and make human connections with friends, coworkers, or even strangers at a grocery store once in a while.
So, find a community or sense of home. This can apply to anyone moving somewhere new. Find a local gym, yoga or dance studio, group of other girls there for internships or summer sales, church, or volunteer group.
I've found a sense of community in yoga classes, church, and with the wife of another intern down here. They really help me to not feel alone and to feel comfortable and accepted.
Any sort of group you can regularly meet with to connect and feel a part of something. It will help you feel more at home, whether you're in Colorado or Alabama.
* If you're struggling to find a community, remember you have friends and family back home. They'd love to FaceTime and give you some love.
2. Get out of the house
This one kind of goes along with the last.
Don't let yourself be confined to your house the entire summer! If you have access to a car, go to that place of community, explore the town a bit, or just go to the grocery store.
Find something to get you out of the house at least once a day. Something to help you get ready for the day and maybe even put on some pants.
This is necessary for your mental and physical health.
I accidentally let a few days go by without really going out, and I got severe and totally unnecessary cabin fever.
If you don't have access to a car, it's a little trickier but entirely possible.
Go for a walk. Or run. Go outside. Get the mail. Eat breakfast or scroll through your phone outside instead of inside. Walk to another couple's apartment if it's in the same area. Practice some self-care.
If there are other girls in the area that have a car, let them know your situation and see if they can pick you up sometimes! Chances are, they're needing a friend just as much as you are.
3. Better yourself
"I've always wanted to learn how to _______ or do _______, but I've never had the time."
Now's your time.
You know that hobby or habit you've always wanted to take up. Now's your chance! You have the time for self-improvement--whatever that means to you.
For me, it was taking online classes and doing online internships. I really wanted a job moving down here, but it didn't work out. I think it ended up being better in the long run, though. I signed up for online classes this summer and applied to online internships to expand my writing and editing career. I was able to find two internships to keep me busy, and I absolutely love them. I have just the right amount of time and workload on my plate for me.
I also have been wanting to get healthier for a while, and this summer has been the perfect opportunity. Shane and I go to the gym together most days after he gets off work. I get to go to the classes and get that sense of belonging, endorphins, and a little quality time with my hard-working husband.
So, if you want to get a job, take a class, learn calligraphy, read your scriptures, do pilates, journal, scrapbook, or join a volunteer group (justserve.org !!), go for it!
Anything you've always wanted to do, you can try and do now.
4. Serve your husband
This is the most fulfilling thing I do each day.
Shane wakes up at 5:00 each morning to work, provide for us, and prepare for his future career. He works long days, learning a new trade in a new city. He does this for us, and I am so grateful.
He gets home so sweaty and exhausted, so it's the most gratifying thing ever to have him come home to a clean house and a hot meal.
I choose to do this because of how happy it makes him. I have the time, and he's working hard for me. Serving each other helps us grow closer.
Obviously, doing the dishes and laundry every day isn't the most fun part of my routine. But, it's the most rewarding.
Don't put insane pressure on yourself for not getting everything done nor feel guilty for not working. It's okay to have some fun, too. Just look for opportunities for what you can do and contribute, as well.
You will be happier and more grateful as you serve.
5. Make a fluid schedule each morning
I feel like I put this in every blog post, BUT it's so important.
Make a rough list/outline of what you want to do or get done every day. Estimate how much time each thing will take, and make a reasonable list.
Then, adjust accordingly. Refer back to your list throughout the day. Change things if something else comes up, reprioritize, remind yourself of your goals, and leave room for spontaneity and creativity.
I've found that each morning I make a list like this, I am able to do so much more and feel better; more accomplished and moving.
6. Make weekends a vacation
Whatever imagery comes to mind when you hear the word vacation, make some of your weekends mirror it.
Spending that quality time with your husband to balance the time you're apart during the week will strengthen your relationship and keep you going.
Whether that means laying out by the pool, going out, exploring your new city or one nearby, or simply relaxing, do whatever vacation means to you and your husband.
There's a good chance that he may be exhausted from working by the end of the week, so be mindful of that, too.
Whatever it is, find a little time to spend together and understand each other even more. Moving to a new place with only your spouse and a suitcase can be such a bonding and growing experience. Rely on each other and communicate. Be each other's best friends, whether you're in Utah or Illinois.
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