An interesting fact about me is that 55-65 and sunny is my ideal weather. It is not too cold, but not so hot that you can sit out in the sun for more than 30 seconds and not be soaked in sweat. It is so nice and I am so thankful that I get to enjoy it twice a year in both the spring and fall. There is nothing I love more than sitting outside with a good book, absorbing the happiness from the sun.
If you are anything like me then you also want to spend every available moment outside when the weather is your idea of perfect. But that probably also means that your home, like mine, is in shambles. The sink is full of dishes. Who knows the last time the bathroom has been cleaned, and don’t even think about asking what is for dinner.
While this is certainly okay to an extent, your husband is probably going to come home and want to eat something. So what do you do? Do you enjoy the sun, or cross things off the ever-growing to-do list?
I personally think you can do both. With some good time management and creativity, you can get at least most of the list checked off as well as a nice tan.
Enjoy the Sunlight
If the military has taught me one thing, it is that I need some sunlight. I never realized this until I spent all day inside a classroom. During breaks, I would stand at the window looking outside, hoping it was the time of day when the sun would shine through. On weekends, I would spend every available moment outdoors to make up for it.
There has been a lot of research done, which I am sure you have heard, documenting the benefits of fresh air and sunshine. There are both physical impacts of it, as well as mental. This is the biggest difference I notice in myself. If I am inside too much, I get grouchy.
I want to encourage you not to limit your outside time for the sake of “getting it all done”. Especially the not necessary to complete at this moment tasks.
When To Work
If you want to spend more time outside it is important to figure out what times of day will be the optimal outside hours for you in that season.
Peak outside hours in the fall, in my opinion, are from about 1100 to 1430. That is the time of day that it is warmest, and my southwest-facing deck is in direct sunlight. After this time, the sun is behind a big tree, and before it is hidden by the house. In the summer, these are the exact times I don’t want to be outside, because it is way too hot.
This knowledge helps me to be able to establish working windows. If I can accomplish all my inside tasks first thing in the morning, I have my afternoon to sit outside. In the summer, it is the opposite. If I want to be outside, I need to do so first thing in the morning.
I think this is a challenge for many of us. The schedule flexibility. I am a firm believer that you need to get your work done before you can go enjoy yourself. This doesn’t allow an outside window in the warmer months. I have had to retrain myself to be able to push off tasks till later in the day when required. Or to work extra hard in the mornings so I can have a sunny afternoon.
Outside Tasks
Identifying the tasks that can be done outside is important. Those are the things that you can be more flexible with. Clearly, you can not clean your bathroom outside, but could you fold your laundry? Are you able to take your computer outside to work?
Many of these things will be situational, but are some potential tasks that you can do outside that you might not have thought of.
Hobbies
We have a folding card table, and it has spent a lot of time outside holding various “indoor” projects. I have painted by numbers, done puzzles, and even quilted outside on it. It doesn’t require the table, but I have done a lot of outdoor crocheting and embroidery as well. Wind-dependent, games can be easily taken outside to play.
Reading is a more obvious outdoor activity, but I will mention it in case it hasn’t crossed your mind. One of my favorite things to read outside is the Bible. If I do nothing else outdoors that day, I will try my best to get out to read the Bible. I think there is something special about spending time with the Lord while surrounded by the beauty of His creation.
Work
This will, of course, depend on your job, but so many are remote these days. Can you take your computer outside? Could you grade a test in the fresh air? Maybe do your homework?
Chores
Like I said earlier, your bathroom is not going to be able to be cleaned outside, but you can take a basket of laundry out to fold. I talked more about my love for hanging my laundry outside to dry in a previous post.
Depending on your bug situation, you could take some vegetables out to chop for dinner. If your pots and pans are in need of a good scrub, grab a bucket of soapy water, steel wool, and go to town.
Exercise
Outdoor exercise does not necessarily mean going on a walk or run. Depending on your routine, you can take your free weights, yoga mat, and/or YouTube video outside and do your inside routine in the great outdoors.
I hope I was able to inspire you to spend more time outside and give inspiration on what to do while you are out there. If you have any unusual outdoor activities you do, I would love to hear them, as well as your favorite outside weather.