Summer: Relax and Restore

By Brylie Turk
3 min read

Summer is the perfect opportunity for students, parents, and educators to relax, restore, and rejuvenate for the upcoming school year. With summer coming to an end and the first day of school right around the corner, it is important to reflect on how we each spent our time away.

For many people, myself included, summer is the perfect time to kick back, relax, and enjoy the sunshine, perhaps floating in the pool or sunbathing with a good book. Time away from school allows us to break free of our daily, regimented schedules and catch up with friends, family, and even ourselves. This time allows us to reflect on the previous school year, and prepare for the next one.

For survivors, summer can be a much needed escape from the daily grind. When I was in school, I often struggled with the anxiety of seeing not-so-friendly faces on a daily basis. Whether it be people who did not support me, or people I was unsure about, it was challenging to have to face them day after day. I could choose who I surrounded myself with, which allowed me to feel loved and supported, rejuvenating me to go back to school and face my anxieties. Summer break also allowed me to truly focus on myself and my healing without the stress of homework, assignments, and tests.

Some of us may have also had the opportunity to take trips and vacations with our loved ones. Although we must take ourselves (including our traumas) with us wherever we go, an escape from our personal realities can be especially helpful in finding our peace and freeing ourselves from the fears and anxieties of our daily lives. While getting away does not make trauma disappear, it can be a much needed break from its impact.

Here are some highlights of how I Have The Right To’s team members spent our summers:

Brylie (Programming and Communications Coordinator):

I was lucky to take several trips this summer with friends and family. My family took our annual beach trip to Madeira Beach, FL, along with several camping trips to the lake with family friends. To end the summer, I took a short trip to Cancun with some friends, where I had the opportunity to see Chichinitza, Isla Mujeres, and a cenote! In my down-time this summer, I spent a lot of time exercising, reading, and laying out at the pool. It was wonderful to relax and spend time with my loved ones before my big post-grad move. 

Susan Prout (Co-Founder):

I spent time this summer recharging with my family and good friends, including new Board member Sophie Scott. I was lucky enough to relax by the sea with my life-long companions – a stack of good books, where I also get a lot of ideas for our advocacy! This summer I devoured Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus; Trust by Hernan Diaz; and The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave – all feature women protagonists who are faced with incredibly difficult circumstances and …. read them and find out what they do! 

Elizabeth Zeigler (Executive Director):

This summer included an amazing trip to Greece to celebrate my daughter’s college graduation as well as my nephew’s.  The picture on the left was when the girls spent time shopping while the guys were out fishing.  I also enjoyed a relaxing week in Cape May, NJ during our 10th annual family of 14 trip.

Morgan (Research and Communications Coordinator):

I spent the summer traveling with I Have The Right To, visiting friends along the east coast, attending concerts, and spending time with my new puppy “Bird Dawg.” 

Teagan (Intern):

I spent the summer doing the things I love and find relaxing. Some of the highlights of my summer so far have been playing lots of golf, traveling, and getting together with friends and family. Beyond my internship with I Have The Right To, I did lots of traveling including spending time in Florida, California, and taking a trip to Paris and Amsterdam!