From family get-togethers to outdoor events, the summer season is full of busy and fun. However, with all the high energy of the season happening around us all -it is also important to find balance in our life and dedicate some time to slowing down and rejuvenating our energy so that we don’t burn out. And this is where summer slow living comes in.
Summer Slow Living
We’ve talked about the benefits of slow living before, and it’s no different during the summer. Slow living is a lifestyle designed to help us live life at a slower pace with a deeper purpose. It is focused on living in the moment and that aims to help us create a more meaningful routine that energizes and inspires us every day. So, if you’re looking to slow down and truly make the most of your summer, this post is for you. And though it is one we have shared before- I think it deserves an encore for Friday Favorites so I am welcoming my daughter back to share 11 of our favorite ways to slow down a bit everyday.
1. Get outside more
The first way to fully embrace summer slow living is to get outside. Whether you choose to soak up some sun, take a few minutes to meditate with the sound of chirping birds, or simply absorb all the smells and calming feelings that the outdoors have to offer, nature has a magical way of slowing us down and reminding us how beautiful the world around us truly is. It can help you see life in a new light, center yourself, and help you find more gratitude for the blessings in everyday life that often go unnoticed.
Getting outside every day for a few minutes to unplug, sit, and just become one with the natural world is a great way to teach your mind and body that it’s okay to slow down and just simply exist in the moment without expectation or obligation.
2. Gardening
A great outdoor activity for summer slow living is to garden. Gardening is one of the most therapeutic outdoor activities you can partake in that can help to soothe and quiet the mind. Whether you’re redesigning the landscape of your garden or planting something new, gardening can greatly slow down your life and teach you how important patience, some gentle love and care, and nurturing are for your plants, as well as yourself.
3. Stargaze
While all of the world is staring down at their phones, it’s time to start looking up into the universe with wonder. Gazing up at the night sky is one of our favorite ways to slow down this summer. It is a great way to not only inspire us but it can also help blossom a sense of wonder within that pushes our minds, allows us to dream bigger, and helps us believe in the possibility of anything. Not to mention, this is a great activity to do with the whole family.
More than anything, gazing at the stars can help us find a calmer, more humble, and grateful approach to life inspired by the breathtaking beauty, mystery, and possibilities of the universe around us.
4. Make more home-cooked meals
Another way to slow down this summer is to spend time making more home-cooked meals. Since summer is abundant in fresh herbs, vegetables, and ripening fruits, it’s an excellent time to get crafty in the kitchen and save some money on take-out. Not only is cooking a stimulating activity that can allow you to craft something from the heart, but it also helps to engage you more in the present, helping you to make the most of the moment with all of your senses.
Cooking can also allow you to become more grateful for blessings such as a warm and delicious home-cooked meal. Getting more active in the kitchen every day may be the perfect way for you to slow down, express yourself, and appreciate more of the sweet and savory flavors of your cooking, as well as the many unique flavors of your life.
5. Go on more walks
Summer slow living doesn’t mean just moving slow- moving is a good thing. With the warm season here, summer is also a great time to slow down and go for a walk. Not only is this good for your physical health, but regular exercise outdoors is also great for your mental health. Whether you keep it short in the city or take a long hike in the mountains, getting outside this summer is a great way to reconnect with nature, decompress from everyday life, and make the most of the summer scenery. Keep your phone in your pocket, breathe in the fresh air, allow yourself to get absorbed into the beautiful atmosphere around you, and just forget about everyday stresses for a while.
6. Watch the sunrise or sunset
My favorite way to start the morning is to sit out in the garden coffee in hand and soak up the sunrise as it peeks through the trees. I wait to delve into news, emails, etc. and simply sit and sip. Truly a summer slow living start to the day. As mentioned in our previous slow living post, watching the sun rise or set is a great way to incorporate more of a slow living approach to your life and help you become more embedded at the moment. Rather than just snapping a quick picture of the sunset and continuing about your day, take time to actually sit with it and watch the sun rise or go down from start to finish without any distraction. However simple, this can remind us of the natural wonder around us that we often miss by rushing through our day.
I have been sitting with my coffee in this very spot each morning watching the sun rise. And the feeling of the warmth of the sun rays on my skin is invigorating and centers me for a few moments before the busy of the day begins.
7. Focus more on self-care
Self-care is essential for maintaining a calm, balanced approach to your life without getting overwhelmed. A proper self-care routine allows us to put our needs first and focus on the things that feed our soul. It is believed that taking part in regular self-care can help reduce stress, increase happiness, and improve concentration, among many other incredible benefits.
So, since many of us don’t seem to be making ourselves a priority as much as we should, focus this aspect of summer slow living as a goal to slow down and dedicate some ‘you’ time in your schedule without rushing through it. Take a bath, go for a walk, get creative, or do something that you find rejuvenating and relaxing. Even if that means getting up a little earlier in the day, caring for yourself in mind, body, and soul is essential for maintaining a positive and healthy well-being and is sure to bring many soul-enriching rewards to your life in no time.
8. Consume less media
Consuming less media is another important way to slow down your life and embrace summer slow living. Whether it’s scrolling our social channels or streaming the latest show, people are spending more time in front of their screens than ever, and that means we’re not only consuming a lot of our time doing it, but we are also consuming more media than ever. We are always taking in different forms of media that are constantly telling us what we should and should not be. And while it may not seem like a big deal while we’re looking at it, many of us don’t realize just how much this affects our mindset offline and can often leave us feeling weighed down without knowing why.
This summer, I encourage you to make an effort to take some time away from consuming media and take some much needed time to detox yourself. Get any work done that you need to and stay in contact with those you love, but also be mindful of tuning out and enjoying the wonders of life happening around you.
9. Read more
Pick up a good book and take some time to read. Not only can reading calm your mind, reduce stress, and inspire creativity, but it can also help to remind us of the importance of enjoying the simple pleasures of life. While we often have a hard time justifying giving ourselves permission to sit down for 30 minutes or so and indulge in some reading, it is an activity with many benefits that feed the soul and can be beneficial to our mind and imagination. (of course, have to mention a couple decorating books I can recommend too. lol) You can shop all 3 of my books HERE
10. Journal more
Another good way to slow down this season is to take some time to journal. Journaling can be a great way for you to unwind after a long day. Whether you choose to write down what you did that day, reflect on your goals for the week, or ponder something you’re grateful for each day, journaling is a great way to help you to become more aware of your thoughts and can help you manage your stress in a calm and healthy way. By releasing plaguing thoughts, this can also help you make the most of your life in the moment and ease any worries that may have been lingering with you. I love this beautiful floral journal book just waiting to be filled with your thoughts and inspiration HERE
11. Meditate outside
Lastly, it wouldn’t be a slow-living post if we didn’t mention meditating. And since the summer is all about getting out and enjoying nature, try meditating outside with the soothing sounds of nature. Even if you only meditate for a few minutes a day, taking the time to actually do it is the most important part.
Find a quiet spot, close your eyes, breathe in the smells and sounds of the world around you, and let your worries slide away. This can help ease your mind, reset your focus, and inspire a more peaceful approach to your life that shows you the true importance and rejuvenating benefit of living a little more slowly.
Embracing Slow Living
Overall, slow living isn’t just about finding time to sit quietly every day; it’s about using the time in a more intentional way that reenergizes you. Slow living should be practiced no matter the season and should be thought of not as a way to make time in your day to slow down but as a way to reconstruct your lifestyle to always live at a slower pace and find more fulfillment in the simple tasks around you. Live present and allow your life to nurture you.
For more on Slow Living ideas – you can find The Art of Slow Living blog post HERE
I’m writing these down – i need to remind myself of these very things. How easy to forget to do really important things. you’re thinking it’s something else you’re supposed to be doing but these are really important things – i just don’t want to forget them.
Great ideas for slowing down. Thanks!
WondErful post, Things we all need to really need to focus on,
Especially now with our world gone crazy!
Reading this post actually was calming thank you!
Courtney, you have such a sweet spirit…good advice for us all in these trying times. I have quit so many blogs, but yours remains on the top of my reading list….and this is the reason why! Counting our blessings and slowing down is very healing. Have a blessed summer !
I’ve had Long covid for over eight months now. the fatigue, headaches, lack of stamina, dizziness, etc., have impacted my life in ever so many ways, and led to a great deal of frustration and discouragement.
however, i’ve begun to look at this (hopefully temporary) period of my life as an opportunity (however imposed) for slowing down, spending time with myself, in nature, in focusing on small moments, simple tasks and pleasures, in unplugging and reconnecting with what is possible and what matters.
i’m beginning to see this time as a gift (sometimes!) rather than a “curse”. to be grateful for the slower pace i can’t override by pushing or “to-doing”. a gift to embrace for its richness of time, mindfulness, and quiet engagement in life.
your article well describes the slow living i’m experiencing, and reminds me to appreciate and indulge myself in, rather than fighting or “flighting” from, it.
thank you for helping me see this time from a happier, more grateful perspective!
i think i shall ooze my way slothfully from my computer to my freshly rain-washed front porch, and breathe and watch my birds for as long as takes. with gratitude.
Courtney,
In my opinion, this is the most important article I hAVE EVER READ ON YOUR WEBSITE. tHANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!