What does Goldilocks have to do with summer? Well, Goldilocks was all about finding things that were just right. In the same way, we need to find the summer pace that's just right for us.

During the summer, our usual schedule changes. We often find ourselves with fewer commitments, freeing up time. At the same time, many communities offer special events in the summer — outdoor movies, concerts, street fairs, etc. — that we'd like to enjoy. Even more, we often feel the need to complete big projects in all that extra free time.

Unfortunately, these conflicting factors may lead to one of two extremes — we either radically overbook ourselves trying to do everything, finishing the summer in exhaustion or we end up doing nothing and then regret all the lost opportunities.

So, what to do?

I recommend choosing a few activities or projects you'd like to complete this summer. A few means less than 5! Perhaps you'll decide to host a cookout, go to see an outdoor movie, go inner-tubing with the kids, reorganize your financial files, and finish that afghan you've been knitting for 4 years. Schedule in those things to make sure you set aside the time. This practice also leaves time unscheduled and available for relaxing in the hammock to enjoy a beautiful day, a day of canning the great fruit you scored at the farmers' market, or an impromptu family picnic.

Like Goldilocks, look for the just-right balance between over-scheduled and totally unplanned.