August Prompts: Lukewarm in a Heatwave

8 prompts for journaling, conversation, or consideration

Of all the months, I nominate August for a rebrand.

Steeped in bittersweet nostalgia for childhood summers by a proverbial lake, August is teeming with a mismatched narrative; claiming the swan song of summer’s last breath while still totally trapped under its sweaty thumb. Not so far off from the outdated stories we tell about ourselves, I suppose.

This isn’t a rant about summer; contrarily it’s an invitation to linger in its stasis. To slow down a little because sometimes there really is no other way to get where you want to go.

Below, a list of prompts to guide the month ahead — may it evoke a moment of lingering, wherever you are.

1. Lukewarm Heatwave

Whether delighting in idleness or mitigating summer ennui, recall a recent experience of choosing to opt out. 

2. Cold Cherries

Cite a source of perfectly-timed refreshment. 

3. “Scare Quotes”

What “needs” are you downplaying?

4. Living in Wait

Identify something you are saving for a rainy day, a special occasion, or an abstract future.

5. Dessert First

Living in your most expensive clothes. Strawberry ice cream & champagne for dinner. A weekday matinee. Contrary to the above, recall an instance when you — purposefully — did not save the best for last.

6. Lighten Up

What’s weighing you down?

7. Esoteric Characters

An Amagansett princess. A one-armed cellist. A part-time DJ. Who was the best character of the month (be it a stranger, a neighbor, a second-hand story…)?

8. Starbucks Drive Thru

A creamy iced coffee to go; strolling the air conditioned aisles of CVS. When did a suburban comfort hit just right?

Back next week with August’s installation of our Attention Inventory; in the meantime you may read last month’s here.