10 tiny fixes that make your days feel lighter

How to feel more calm, and like time is more spacious

I wrote a draft of this post while sitting on the roof deck of a hotel. It had been a long day of travel, with various frustrations, but I found out my hotel had a bar with a view of the sky line. I was in! Doing a little writing while feeling the breeze made my day feel lighter.

If you’d like to experience a bit of summer spirit, even in the middle of a packed schedule, here are some ways to create breathing room, energy, and a sense that life is a little less heavy.

1. Wake up before your alarm. If you regularly get into bed by your bedtime, you will likely wake up on your own at least a few mornings a week. I like to think of these pre-alarm wake-ups as a treat. I can enjoy that groggy state, and go in and out of sleep for a while (nature’s snooze button!). If I know I’m wide awake at least 20 minutes before I need to be up I’ll get coffee and go sit outside. Morning routines are awesome, but I really like a slow start too.

2. Laugh on your commute. You can listen to the audio version of humor books, funny podcasts, or recordings of comedians’ acts. Getting a few laughs in can elevate what is often a low point of the day.