Summer Surge: How Sunshine Fuels My Creativity and Productivity

Summer is upon us here in Cape Town, South Africa, and with it comes an undeniable surge in my creativity (and productivity). Have you ever noticed how some seasons just seem to spark your motivation and drive?

Well for me, that season is undeniably winter, only there's still a ton to get done. So, I'm choosing to “soak up the sun” and potentially channel all its shiny energy into fuelling my work.

(No, I'm not really channelling the sun's energy, it's a metaphor. Let me wax poetical, for a minute.)

Here's how I've been fuelling my creativity and productivity this summer:

When the Sky's Awake, I'm Awake

Did you know Cape Town should technically have Daylight Savings Time? It doesn't because it's just easier for the entire Republic of South Africa to keep all 9 of its provinces on the same schedule. In fact, the sleepy sun slowly wakes from slumber around five-ish and by 6h30 it's as bright as a button and only fades around 20h00 give or take a few minutes.

I've been taking advantage of this by waking up earlier (around 6) and getting right into my work by 8 o'clock. The earlier start to the day has made such a difference as I get a solid chunk of focused work done before things like dinner, dishes, or other distractions come into play. Plus, the early morning light, the crisp air against my skin, and the birds chirping fill my soul with wonder.

Inhale the sweet breeze, listen to the melody of the wind, and let the sound of silence sing you a beautiful symphony (“Spice Up Your Life” was today's song).

With the extra hour of daylight, I've been able to take a break from work and go for a walk with my dog, get back to lifting and fix dinner at a reasonable time.

Of course, this means I'm in bed by 20h00 and snoring by 22h00 like a 5-year-old. But I'm happy with it. And I'm getting consistent sleep, which is so important for my productivity and overall well-being.

More Water, Less Caffeine

Wanna hear a joke? Decaf.

With my sleep rhythms back on track, another goal I've set for myself is to drink more water and cut down on caffeine. It's amazing how much better I feel when I'm hydrated and not relying on caffeine to keep me going throughout the day.

I've even switched to decaf as my first brew of the day (on most days) and only after some time soaking up vitamin D while watching my dog chase birds around the garden (He can't fly, they can, yet somehow he believes he'll grow wings or learn to climb a tree and catch one. Please explain.) do I indulge in a cup of regular.

Drinking water is one of those basic life hacks that has all the benefits we'd pay hundreds for if only it came in a pill. Clearer skin, better digestion, increased energy and concentration — the list goes on. And yet, it's not the easiest habit to maintain. Even with my usual 600ml water bottle filled with icy H20 on my desk, I still struggle to meet the recommended daily intake of 8 glasses.

Clearly something's gotta change. How do I gamify this? How do I trick myself into drinking more water?

One option was to drink at least 250ml first thing in the morning

To set myself up for success, I'd fill my water bottle before bedtime and place it on my night stand. When I wake up, it's right there, I take a sip and finish the rest as my morning routine went on. Then, as I prepare actual coffee for the work day, I refill my water bottle and place it on my desk. Setting myself up for success, right? Wrong. I'd slowly sip the refilled bottle over the course of the day, but the eight-cups-a-day KPI remained elusive…

UNTIL…

I got a 1.2L tumbler…

… Not a Stanley Cup, 'cos dude, I'm not paying that much for a water bottle. Just a generic imitation with a big, fat straw.

It worked. It still takes me the entire day to consume the full 1.2L, however coupled with the 600ml I drink during my morning routine, my daily water intake is now a total of +1.8L.

And it feels good. Water is refreshing, hydrating, and helps improve focus and energy levels throughout the day. I feel less weighed down after taking a sips of water and hitting that KPI of 8 cups a day feels like a massive victory.

Let's be real, a lot of tiredness, headaches, and muscle aches can come from dehydration a lack of sufficient sleep. So, while these first two habits seem inconsequential, they're actually crucial steps towards living a productive and healthy life as a solopreneur.

Work Mode On

Next, I created a Work mode for my phone. I have a Samsung S40, which lets me create different modes for different activities. Sleep Mode is probably a common one you've heard of, but the sky really is the limit these days.

Setting Up Work Mode.

It's not complicated, really. There are two choices, First, you can decide to activate Do Not Disturb, which mutes all your calls and notifications (best for Sleep Mode). Then you can select the apps you'd like to use in Work Mode.

For me, that's email, Google and all the app versions of the tools I use to create, schedule and manage content for myself and clients. (Plus Spotify, Audible, and Evernote 'cos I can listen to stuff if I'm not doing deep work).

Everything else, though, is unavailable until Work Mode automatically turns off at 18h00. Its usefulness came into full effect this morning when, while playing a round of Gardenscape on my phone, the “Work Mode On” notification popped up and seconds later the Gardenscape app closed. (Sadness).

Soak Up the Sun

Finally, the biggest change I've made to gain the Summer Surge is getting out of the house once a week to get coffee, go for a walk on the beach or meander through a bookshop. I live in a beautiful town with amazing seascapes, mountainscapes and cityscapes. Seeing the ocean, feeling the sun on my skin and experiencing different surroundings really helps me recharge and stay motivated.

Julia Cameron calls them artist dates, and I couldn't agree more. Taking time away from work to explore new places, try new things or just sit and be present in a different environment has been a game changer for me over the last few weeks. I don't journal, I have zero agenda for these artist dates, but I always come back feeling refreshed, inspired, and human. In those moments, the cloak of anxiety that shelters me and keeps me safe, lifts and I feel like my old self again — the carefree child of the wind, dauntless and ready for adventure.

Embrace Creative Potential

So, as we dive into this season of sun (or snow), I invite you to join me in embracing the creative potential shifting seasons bring. Take an artist date, start a new ritual, explore ways to gamify the small habits you've been wanting to change for a while. Let the changing weather, colours and energy be your guide and allow yourself to tap into that inner child's curiosity and thirst for adventure.

And now, over to you, my darling Reader!

Which season inspire you to be more productive and creative?

Share your thoughts and stories below. Let's celebrate the creative joys of the season together!

Your engagement and insights not only enrich our conversation but also spark further creativity and inspiration. So, don't be shy—drop a comment and let's make this summer a season to remember for all the right reasons!