10 Ways To Savor A Slow & Simple Summer
Summers are for road trips, iced grapefruit juice in the backyard and easy romance novels set in the countryside.
Time slows down in the summertime when school gets out and calendars clear. Summers bring balmy weather, languid energy and sprawling summer festivals.
When I was growing up, summers meant second and third helpings of Neapolitan ice cream, fights with my siblings over video games and hours watching MTV. The parents weren’t home and there was zero guilt in being bored and doing absolutely nothing.
But somewhere along the way summers turned into just another season that passed all too quickly through my bullet journal and to-do lists. Summers just meant I was bent over the laptop under the ac instead of bent over the laptop under the heater.
There was nothing much that distinguished summer from any other time of year as I spent just as many hours scrolling social media and vegging out in front of the TV.
But nostalgia hit one afternoon and I decided I’d had enough. I wasn’t going to let another summer just pass me by.
I wanted to recapture that summer camp state of mind and that sense of childhood excitement that summer brought with its bike rides and golden evenings.
So I set my phone aside and turned off the TV. And suddenly hours of time opened up that I didn’t even know I had.
Sure there was still work and responsibilities. But there were also evenings reading Thomas Hardy and weekends watching the sunset while listening to podcasts in the yard.
Are you longing for a slow and simple summer that calms your soul and reignites your childhood sense of wonder?
Whether its savoring ice cream in your finest bowls or sketching the trees at your local park, here are my inspiring ideas for the summer of your dreams.
How to have a slow and simple summer:
1. Sip on freshly squeezed juice
There’s something so quintessentially summer about a tall glass of freshly squeezed juice packed with ice on a hot day.
Ditch the grocery store OJ and indulge in a summer mocktail that combines hand-squeezed fruit juice (like orange, lemon or grapefruit) with a dash of brown sugar and ginger, loaded with ice and topped with a sprig of mint.
If you have a lemon or grapefruit tree, don’t let that bounty go to waste – freeze the juice concentrate and then enjoy all summer mixed with water.
A glass of freshly squeezed juice is an aromatic and indulgent treat on a hot and balmy evening.
2. Read a classic novel
If your attention is fried from hours of scrolling your phone, then summer is perfect to slow down and learn to enjoy reading again.
You don’t have to go from 3 hours of Instagram Reels a day to diving into War and Peace. But you’ll be amazed at how wonderful it feels to switch off your phone an hour before bed and read yourself to sleep.
And there’s nothing quite like a classic for rich and evocative language you can sink into and savor on a long summer night.
I’ve been loving the novels of Thomas Hardy this summer with their rich descriptions of the countryside and wild, enigmatic women. I’m also loving Greek-inspired novels like Circe and The Song of Achilles that are easier if you haven’t read in awhile.
Read more: How To Read More Books: 27 Strategies Even If You’re Busy
3. Eat ice cream in fine china
If your finest china is locked away waiting for a special occasion, then dust it off for its glory day in the sunshine.
A few scoops of salted caramel ice cream – or a nice bowl of Cherry Garcia – are immediately elevated to an indulgent treat when they’re served in fine china.
There’s no point in beautiful dishes if you never use them, so enjoy a scoop or two this weekend in your prettiest bowl.
4. Do a digital detox
Don’t waste these gloriously sunny days bent over your smart phone arguing with random strangers in the comments.
Nothing sucks away time you’d be better off lounging in the sun than a raging social media addiction. And if you’re tied to your phone you probably don’t even realize how much time it sucks away from your life (the apps are designed to make time fly by, after all).
The average person in the US spends about 4.5 to 5.5 hours a day on their phone – and that might seem shocking until you check your own screen time and realize it’s probably true.
Set your phone aside and treat yourself this summer to calmer and more rewarding pastimes.
For starters: dig into this 30-day digital detox journal and swap your unfulfilling phone time for 15 minutes of delicious journaling.
Read more: How To Do A Digital Detox That Actually Sticks
5. Sketch 30 trees in 30 days
Give yourself a fun, timed challenge this summer that ignites your creativity and sharpens your observation skills.
You don’t need to be an artist – or any good at drawing – to indulge in a quick sketching session at your local park.
Sketching gets you to notice and appreciate the nature all around you that you’d probably miss in the rush of everyday life. And summer is the perfect time to try your hand at nature journaling, when the trees are in all their green glory.
To start, get a small sketchbook and pencil and find a tree to draw (from your office window, backyard or local park). Spend 20 minutes sketching and let go of all expectations.
6. Take morning walks
A brisk morning walk does wonders for your physical and mental health. And it doesn’t have to feel like that dreaded word exercise.
If you’re having a hard time getting motivated to fit some movement into your daily routine, then change your mindset first. Start looking at movement like a daily indulgent self-care ritual – not like a fitness routine.
I love taking hour-long morning walks to my local park every morning while listening to whatever podcasts I find fascinating at the time. I take a few moments to rest and sketch on a park bench (see #5) and sip some water splashed with lemon while watching the birds.
It feels like a real indulgence that I look forward to – and it’s a great way to start the day with some calm and productivity.
7. Journal with oracle cards
A good deck of oracle cards offers powerful journaling prompts to inspire your writing and dig deeper.
Oracle cards are also a great tool to get in touch with your intuition and gain some perspective on your life. Draw a card and read the guidebook meaning, then journal about what resonates and how it might fit your life.
There are so many decks on the market right now to suit whatever you’re going through perfectly – whether you need solace, encouragement or some positive affirmations.
I’m loving the Lost Oracle by Fiona Horne this summer with its affirmations and dives into ancient wisdom. It’s perfect for summer when you’re slowing down and pondering life.
8. Turn salads into meals
Summers mean light and flavorful meals that don’t involve hours in front of a hot stove.
Dig into the season’s fresh veggies and herbs to whip up salad bowls that are both refreshing and satisfying.
Stir in some pasta, potatoes, chick peas or quinoa to turn any summer salad into a filling meal. Add beans, tuna or tofu for some protein and you’ve got the perfect fuss-free dinner.
9. Meditate outdoors
Take advantage of those long summer evenings and listen to a calming guided meditation out in your garden or balcony.
If you’re new to meditation – and if sitting still and gazing off into space seems a bit daunting – then try a guided meditation for an easy intro to this life-changing habit.
A guided meditation will give your scattered thoughts a voice to focus on, until you’re ready to meditate on your own.
10. Listen to music
Has it been awhile since you listened to an album in its entirety and gave it your full attention?
Inject more music into your life this summer and listen mindfully. Take your favorite list out into the garden as you lay back and listen or relax with a calming playlist in the evening instead of scrolling on your phone.
Immerse yourself in the images that the music brings forth and enjoy the melodies, rhythms and lyrics.
If you often have the TV going in the background, swap out the hours of local news with some lively classical or guitar music.
Use music for different times of your day. Do your deep work with some baroque in the background and cook dinner with some lively New Wave.
Read more:
10 Powerful Journal Prompts For Self-Esteem And Confidence
6 Habits In My Evening Routine That Changed Everything
20 Easy Ways To Simplify Your Life
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