All's Well in the House of Sharing

I know you. You're the outgoing type, always the center of every party, and you laugh at your own jokes (whether anyone else is paying attention to your banter or not).

I also know you're not waiting on any horoscope to tell you how to live your life. You're too intelligent for that. But hear me out. I may have some seeds of thought for you.

What awaits you this summer from a bird's eye view? Take a walk with me.

I think it'll be worth your time.

Relationships

How are things going with the people in your life? Are they saying you're clinging too close? Or maybe not enough—or perhaps not in the right ways? You may want to work on that this summer.

Keep your family close. No, I don't mean you have to know everyone's business—though you probably want to know all the deets—but you'll feel better about it later by being a phone call away if anyone needs you. Nurse those relationships and be the kind of support you would want your family to be for you.

And? Life may be unpredictable, but that doesn't mean you have to be.

(One last thing: don't spill any secrets you learn along the way. This is your one warning.)

Career

Are you looking for a change? 2021 may have left you in flux after a rough 2020, but stay true to yourself: if you want to make a difference in your life, then now's the time to do it.

I'm not saying you have to do something drastic and quit your job even if you're unhappy with it. But take baby steps. Maybe reach out to that past coworker of yours who you see now on LinkedIn has started their own business downtown. Or doctor up that resume that's been collecting dust on your hard drive. Network and make connections. Try to see yourself in a new light. Don't let that streak of procrastination bite you in the butt.

And above all? Don't settle. Recognize your worth, and reach out for every opportunity you can.

Travel

This is your summer to make a move. After the year you've had, you probably need a bit of a break. Whether it's a friends' weekend out of town or a trip back to visit your family, the downtime is a necessity you shouldn't wait on grasping.

Even if you just have to take an hour drive away to clear your head, you need the distance for some clarity on things you've been pushing to the back of your mind. No, you may not be able to take trains all across Europe this summer (it's okay; there'll be time to plan that Big Vacation for another year), but just getting out of the house for a prolonged amount of time will do wonders for you.

I'm not saying you have to travel big or break the bank to get a little "me time." But give yourself enough space from real life that you're able to breathe a little easier for a while.

Romance

Whether you're in the middle of a relationship or still looking for The One, you'll be entering Cancer's territory come the end of June, so what does that mean for you? You'll probably want to cool it on any heady summer passions; your tendency for impulsiveness won't do you any favors right now.

But what about that romance you've been tending to like a well-kept flame? Make sure to keep stoking that fire. Love as you want to be loved. If your partner is pulling away, offer that space, but chances are that you'll need to keep those arms open for a waiting embrace.

Even though you may want to solve the world's problems, though, know that you need to take care of yourself too. Don't be everyone else's mountain while you're crumbling behind the scenes.

And don't forget to love yourself just as much along the way.

And onward to 2022...?

What can you look forward to the rest of the year? Be aware that change is coming like a tide ready to wash the past away. It may be time to clean up that attic or storage closet (bonus: you may be able to sell off some of the expendable items you've accumulated). While 2021 may not be everything you wanted it to be, you have it in you to adapt to any situation.

And what should you do in the meantime? Just buckle up and get ready for the ride.

It's gonna be one hell of a summer.