Alicia Alban | A Summer Well Spent

Labor Day weekend is here, and as it always seems to do, it has me reflecting on the summer—how it went, what I accomplished, and, perhaps most importantly, whether I actually enjoyed it.

When the kids were in high school, summers seemed to blend together. Every year came with the familiar list of things we would do, places we would go, and how quickly those few months would disappear.

Now, with the kids grown and life having taken on a different rhythm, summer has a new order for me.

And this summer, I made a decision: I wasn't going to waste a minute of it.

I treated the summer almost like an endurance event. I stayed hydrated, made plans, and somehow managed to fit in an impressive amount of life. I worked toward—and reached—my professional revenue goals while also making time for the things I love: tennis, paddleboarding, biking, hiking, long days at the beach, and even longer evenings with friends.

This weekend, looking back, I realized I actually did it. I met my work goals and my summer goals. I am tired, but it's the good kind of tired—the kind that comes from saying yes, getting outside, showing up, and making the most of the time you have.

My son was spending his summer on Nantucket while I was in the Hamptons, and we compared notes throughout the season. We also spent far too much time looking at social media and laughing about the seemingly record-breaking crowds descending on both places. Everywhere you looked, people were talking about the influx and wondering where everyone had come from.

But I found myself thinking about it differently. Crowds or no crowds, the summer was still beautiful. There was tennis in the morning, paddleboarding in the afternoon, dinner with friends at night, and those spectacular beach evenings that make you remember exactly why you love summer in the Northeast.

I've also learned that the idea of a “lazy summer” is somewhat misleading—at least for me.

If you want to do everything you love, you have to plan for it.

My weekends became carefully packed adventures. I would leave the house prepared for what could easily turn into a three-day expedition: tennis clothes, hiking clothes, bathing suits, extra shoes, paddleboarding gear, and something appropriate for dinner. And, because you never know when you'll end up at a cookout, there was usually a hostess gift with a simple white bow tucked somewhere in the car as well.

My philosophy became simple: yes, it might take twice as long to drive somewhere in August. But if you've already played three hours of intense tennis that morning, you're generally too happy—and too exhausted—to care about the traffic.

There is something bittersweet about reaching this stage of life. Not having the kids at home has been an adjustment, and the last year has brought plenty of reflection about how quickly the years went by.

But this summer felt less like an ending and more like a beginning.

I found myself looking around and realizing that I have the freedom to decide what comes next. I can work hard, play hard, make plans, change plans, travel, move, meet people, and build a life that feels completely my own.

And as summer comes to a close, I have one more piece of news that makes me smile which I look forward to sharing in my next post!

So, yes, I am TIRED.

But I'm HAPPY

I met my professional goals. I played the sports I love. I spent countless hours outside. I made new memories with old friends, made room for new ones, and said YES to far more than I said "no" to.

Happy end of summer!