Are you ready for a summer slow down. It’s not too late to move from a jam packed summer to something softer, easier and slower. Move from more to less with this simple, slow down summer guide.
If your summer (or whatever season you are in) has been full of …
- more work
- more obligation
- more travel
- more gatherings
- more doing too many things
Even if we have more time and energy in the summer, by the time we cram in everything we want to get to, we end up overwhelmed and exhausted. Instead, to really enjoy the beauty of summer, I’d like to recommend a slow down.
The Simple Slow Down Summer Guide
If you want to stretch out the rest of the summer, cancel all non-essential obligations and activities and consider these suggestions instead.
Start a morning routine.
This is a great time to start building a little time for yourself in the early morning hours. It is easier to wake up earlier in the summer. Your body responds to natural light. Go to sleep with your shades open and let the light in. Wake up 5 minutes early tomorrow and start a meaningful morning routine.
Clean less by owning less.
The last place you want to spend summer is behind a vacuum cleaner. A daily or bi-weekly sweep up/wipe down is so much easier without clutter on the counter and stuff all over the floor. Take a trip to your local donation center with anything that means nothing to you. These 10 little tips will help you own less clutter.
Say no, thank you.
Wedding invitations, garden parties, neighborhood gatherings and other summer functions are all vying for your attention. You don’t have to be everywhere and you don’t need a fancy excuse to bow out. Spend time with people you love, and attend activities and events that you enjoy. A simple, “Thanks for the invite but I can’t make it.” will do for the rest. If saying no is hard for you, learn how to embrace the art of no-ing.
Read a good book.
Summer is the perfect time to throw a blanket on the grass and get lost in a book. Start with these 7 summer books.
Take a hike.
Get into the woods or onto a local trail with your kids, friends or other people you love. Stretch your legs and marvel at how green and lush everything is. You leave everything behind when you step onto the dirt. The air smells different. Noises and views are new and different and a walk in the woods gives you a chance to reduce your stress with every step.
Unplug.
If you want to make the most of lovely summer evenings, leave your phone at home. Seriously, leave home without it and see how it changes everything about how your experience. Trade constant social media connection, endless scrolling and checking the weather for an opportunity for genuine connection to the people and world around you.
Grow something.
There is magic and wonder about growing something. You don’t have to grow everything. Instead, grow just one thing. You don’t need impressive gardening skills to tend to one plant.
Make time.
If you are willing to break out of your routine and break up with your to-do list, there is more time for you to enjoy the most meaningful moments and adventures.
Reclaim the lost art of lingering.
Summer is a time for slow meals, dangling feet over docks, stargazing and lazy walks. There is no agenda, just pure joy. Don’t rush, linger.
Joy walk for a summer slow down.
That’s joy walk, not jay walk. Instead of walking for exercise or walking to get somewhere, take a joy walk. Go slowly. Stop and smell flowers. Say hi to people when you pass them and walk just for the joy of it.
How will you spend the rest of the season? It will go by in a flash unless you intentionally decide to take steps to make it count. Linger, marvel, gaze, appreciate and soak up your summer moments.
