Every summer, I find myself hoping this will be the season I feel more rested, more connected, and more present. But too often, Labor Day arrives, and I wonder where the time went. In this episode, I'm sharing five practical ways to make this summer one you'll truly enjoy, not because it's packed with activities, but because it's filled with what matters most. We'll talk about caring for your body, feeding your mind, strengthening your soul, investing in relationships, and learning to rest. My hope is that you'll finish this episode with a simple plan to create a summer that's meaningful, refreshing, and deeply life-giving.

And remember, I'd love to connect more on Instagram, where you'll find me at @donnaajones. And don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode!

Xo,

Donna

Key Takeaways:

0:00:02 - Redefining Your Best Summer Yet

0:01:40 - Caring for Your Body Without Obsessing Over Looks

0:06:40 - Feeding Your Mind with Books and New Hobbies

0:10:55 - Deepening Your Relationship with God This Summer

0:14:45 - Strengthening Family Bonds and Practicing Real Rest

What We Talk About
Why the best summer isn't necessarily the busiest summer
Caring for your body without focusing on appearance
The benefits of spending time outdoors
Simple ways to grow mentally and emotionally
Creating space for spiritual growth during summer
Building stronger family relationships
Speaking life into your children and loved ones
Having deeper, more meaningful conversations
Learning the biblical value of rest
Five reflection questions to help shape your summer intentionally

The Five Areas for Your Best Summer Yet

1. Care for Your Body
Take daily walks
Spend more time outside
Drink more water
Prioritize sleep
Choose activities that bring joy

2. Feed Your Mind
Read a meaningful book
Explore a new hobby
Learn a new skill
Study something that interests you

3. Strengthen Your Soul
Spend intentional time with God
Read Scripture regularly
Take prayer walks
Practice gratitude
Create moments of quiet listening

4. Invest in Relationships
Spend intentional time with family and friends
Have deeper conversations
Speak life into those you love
Create meaningful memories

5. Learn the Art of Rest
Take breaks without guilt
Create healthy rhythms
Allow yourself to slow down
Trust God with what remains undone

Five Reflection Questions for Summer
How do I want to feel when summer ends?
What memories do I want to create?
What habits do I want to build?
What relationships do I want to strengthen?
How do I want to grow closer to God?

Donna’s Resources:

Order a copy of my latest book - 

Healthy Conflict, Peaceful Life: A Biblical Guide to Communicating Thoughts, Feelings, and Opinions with Grace, Truth, and Zero Regret. 

It is available anywhere books are sold– here is the link on Amazon. 

If you need a helpful resource for someone exploring faith and Christianity or simply want to strengthen your own knowledge, you’ll want a copy of my book, Seek: A Woman’s Guide to Meeting God.

It’s a must for seekers, new believers, and those who want to deepen their faith.

Let’s Connect:

Instagram: @donnaajones    

Website: www.donnajones.org    

Donna’s speaking schedule: https://donnajones.org/events/  

Every summer, I find myself hoping this will be the season I feel more rested, more connected, and more present. But too often, Labor Day arrives, and I wonder where the time went. In this episode, I'm sharing five practical ways to make this summer one you'll truly enjoy, not because it's packed with activities, but because it's filled with what matters most. We'll talk about caring for your body, feeding your mind, strengthening your soul, investing in relationships, and learning to rest. My hope is that you'll finish this episode with a simple plan to create a summer that's meaningful, refreshing, and deeply life-giving.
And remember, I'd love to connect more on Instagram, where you'll find me at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/donnaajones/?hl=en">@donnaajones</a>. And don&rsquo;t forget to subscribe so you don&rsquo;t miss a single episode!
Xo,
Donna
Key Takeaways:
0:00:02 - Redefining Your Best Summer Yet
0:01:40 - Caring for Your Body Without Obsessing Over Looks
0:06:40 - Feeding Your Mind with Books and New Hobbies
0:10:55 - Deepening Your Relationship with God This Summer
0:14:45 - Strengthening Family Bonds and Practicing Real Rest
What We Talk About
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Why the best summer isn't necessarily the busiest summer</li>
<li aria-level="1">Caring for your body without focusing on appearance</li>
<li aria-level="1">The benefits of spending time outdoors</li>
<li aria-level="1">Simple ways to grow mentally and emotionally</li>
<li aria-level="1">Creating space for spiritual growth during summer</li>
<li aria-level="1">Building stronger family relationships</li>
<li aria-level="1">Speaking life into your children and loved ones</li>
<li aria-level="1">Having deeper, more meaningful conversations</li>
<li aria-level="1">Learning the biblical value of rest</li>
<li aria-level="1">Five reflection questions to help shape your summer intentionally</li>
</ul>
The Five Areas for Your Best Summer Yet
1. Care for Your Body
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Take daily walks</li>
<li aria-level="1">Spend more time outside</li>
<li aria-level="1">Drink more water</li>
<li aria-level="1">Prioritize sleep</li>
<li aria-level="1">Choose activities that bring joy</li>
</ul>
2. Feed Your Mind
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Read a meaningful book</li>
<li aria-level="1">Explore a new hobby</li>
<li aria-level="1">Learn a new skill</li>
<li aria-level="1">Study something that interests you</li>
</ul>
3. Strengthen Your Soul
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Spend intentional time with God</li>
<li aria-level="1">Read Scripture regularly</li>
<li aria-level="1">Take prayer walks</li>
<li aria-level="1">Practice gratitude</li>
<li aria-level="1">Create moments of quiet listening</li>
</ul>
4. Invest in Relationships
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Spend intentional time with family and friends</li>
<li aria-level="1">Have deeper conversations</li>
<li aria-level="1">Speak life into those you love</li>
<li aria-level="1">Create meaningful memories</li>
</ul>
5. Learn the Art of Rest
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Take breaks without guilt</li>
<li aria-level="1">Create healthy rhythms</li>
<li aria-level="1">Allow yourself to slow down</li>
<li aria-level="1">Trust God with what remains undone</li>
</ul>
Five Reflection Questions for Summer
<ol>
<li aria-level="1">How do I want to feel when summer ends?</li>
<li aria-level="1">What memories do I want to create?</li>
<li aria-level="1">What habits do I want to build?</li>
<li aria-level="1">What relationships do I want to strengthen?</li>
<li aria-level="1">How do I want to grow closer to God?</li>
</ol>
Donna&rsquo;s Resources:
Order a copy of my latest book -&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Healthy-Conflict-Peaceful-Life-Communicating/dp/1400243998">Healthy Conflict, Peaceful Life: A Biblical Guide to Communicating Thoughts, Feelings, and Opinions with Grace, Truth, and Zero Regret.&nbsp;</a>
It is available anywhere books are sold&ndash; <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Healthy-Conflict-Peaceful-Life-Communicating/dp/1400243998">here is the link on Amazon.&nbsp;</a>
If you need a helpful resource for someone exploring faith and Christianity or simply want to strengthen your own knowledge, you&rsquo;ll want a copy of my book, <a href="https://seekmeetinggod.com/">Seek: A Woman&rsquo;s Guide to Meeting God.</a>
It&rsquo;s a must for seekers, new believers, and those who want to deepen their faith.
Let&rsquo;s Connect:
Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/donnaajones/?hl=en">@donnaajones</a> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Website: <a href="http://www.donnajones.org">www.donnajones.org</a> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Donna&rsquo;s speaking schedule: <a href="https://donnajones.org/events/">https://donnajones.org/events/</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

If you’ve ever had a conversation where you’ve walked away thinking, “Wow! That was just what I needed”, you know you felt encouraged, learned a thing or two, laughed, and maybe even felt a bit challenged.

Author, national speaker, and pastor’s wife, Donna Jones provides life-giving “that’s just what I needed” conversations to help you know, love, and follow God in the midst of real-life--the one with daily demands and crazy cultural chaos. Sometimes she’ll welcome a guest we can learn from; sometimes the conversation will be just her and you.

 But, Donna’s hope is that each conversation will be exactly what you need.

That's Just What I Needed Podcast

If you’ve ever had a conversation where you’ve walked away thinking, “Wow! That was just what I needed”, you know you felt encouraged, learned a thing or two, laughed, and maybe even felt a bit challenged. Author, national speaker, and pastor’s wife, Donna Jones provides life-giving “that’s just what I needed” conversations to help you know, love, and follow God in the midst of real-life--the one with daily demands and crazy cultural chaos. Sometimes she’ll welcome a guest we can learn from; sometimes the conversation will be just her and you. But, Donna’s hope is that each conversation will be exactly what you need.

If you&rsquo;ve ever had a conversation where you&rsquo;ve walked away thinking, &ldquo;Wow! That was just what I needed&rdquo;, you know you felt encouraged, learned a thing or two, laughed, and maybe even felt a bit challenged. Author, national speaker, and pastor&rsquo;s wife, Donna Jones provides life-giving &ldquo;that&rsquo;s just what I needed&rdquo; conversations to help you know, love, and follow God in the midst of real-life--the one with daily demands and crazy cultural chaos. Sometimes she&rsquo;ll welcome a guest we can learn from; sometimes the conversation will be just her and you. But, Donna&rsquo;s hope is that each conversation will be exactly what you need.

That's Just What I Needed

How to Have Your Best Summer Yet: 5 Simple Ways to Feel Healthier, Happier, and Closer to God

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/f454e024-a61a-4a46-83e0-b46b01104e3a/transcript