Breathe, It’s Only Aug. 1. Summer Isn’t Over.
Here are 15 tips to slowing down and savoring summer.
It’s August 1, which means everyone is going through a collective “It’s already August, where has the summer gone?” spiral.
But I’m here to figuratively hold your hand and say, summer isn’t over.
If that didn’t help, I might suggest a quick dunk in the Atlantic Ocean. The icy salt water is sure to take your breath away for a second and clear your head. And when you’re done, you can return to your sunny day on the beach — because summer isn’t over.
Now the question is: How do you keep that inevitable doom spiral at bay a little longer?
Here are 15 tips to slowing down and savoring summer:
1. Make an August Bucket List
Okay, so you’re overwhelmed with all the things you haven’t gotten to this summer. Turn that chaos into a list and you’ll be surprised with how much you can achieve in a month.
Or maybe, you have no idea what else you want to do, but you’re not satisfied with your summer yet. Use this as a chance to get creative and think of all the possibilities that would slow down the season and make it memorable.
2. Plan a Day Trip
Just because you don’t have an August vacation to Italy or the Cape planned, doesn’t mean you can’t get in the vacay mindset. Instead of telling yourself, “There’s nowhere fun near me,” go online, and look up day trip possibilities.
Maybe there’s an undiscovered hike nearby or a coffee shop and cute stores in a neighboring downtown. Or maybe, the Cape is closer than you think, and you can actually drive there for the day. This end-of-summer hack is sure to make your weekend feel 10 times longer.
3. Search For Nearby Summer Events
Growing up, summer in the suburbs meant there was always a seasonal town event, from the annual Greek festival to block parties. No matter where you live, there’s bound to be an option nearby that will slow down time and take you back to those childhood summer memories.
4. Find Live Music Near You
One of my favorite things to do in summer is sit outside with a beverage of choice and listen to live music. It creates the optimal summer atmosphere.
Don’t forget, live music doesn’t always have to be expensive. Patios, wineries, and parks tend to organize free live music options too.
5. Go On More Morning and Night Walks
Your spiral is right about one thing: Soon it will be getting dark earlier. (It actually already is, unfortunately.) Nonetheless, you need a mental reframing. You still have plenty of long days ahead, so think of all you can accomplish in that time.
One of the best ways to stretch your sunlight hours is by spending as much as them as possible outside, particularly in the morning or night where you’ll feel the biggest lost of daylight in the fall.
My recommendation: Go on more morning and evening walks to feel a little sunlight gratitude.
6. Say Yes to Everything
You can rest when it’s cold out. Yes, I really mean it. This time of the year can often feel exhausting as you jump from vacation to dinner plans to pool days, all while juggling work. If you live somewhere that gets cold like Boston, remind yourself that the activity texts get thinner as the days get colder.
7. Find a Farmers Market
Enjoy the fresh tastes of summer while they’re here. Go to a local farmer’s market, or even go on a short drive if there isn’t one in your town. It’s a bonus if the market sells more than just produce. Sampling local honey, browsing hand-made jewelry, and biting into fresh peaches with an iced coffee in hand is bound to keep you present in summer.
8. Cook Summer Recipes
The season isn’t just about the activities we do and places we go. It’s also about the fresh and flavorful food that we eat on warm days. It’s time to make that pasta salad or cedar planked salmon you haven’t gotten around to. Better yet, look up a new recipe to make the cooking experience even more exciting.
9. Don’t Save Plans for Weekends
Instead, make the most of your week days. We’re all incredibly busy, but I’ve found that we always have the ability to make time for the things that are important to us.
Ask a friend or coworker to grab a drink after work, grab dinner on the outside patio you’ve had your eye on, visit a museum or see a movie (both are likely to be cheaper on week days), grab ice cream, or have a picnic. All of a sudden, your week days won’t be so monotonous.
10. Host a Summer Event
I’ve been traveling all summer for the World Cup, and I’ve realized recently that I have a craving to host an event. While hosting is a lot of work, the excitement of planning is worth it, and the evening always allows me to slow down and appreciate my home, friends, and the season we’re celebrating.
So whether it’s a dinner party, game night, or fire pit hang, get people together for food, drinks, and energy that scream summer. Don’t have time to host a full evening until fall like me? Ask your friend group to set aside a day in September, and until then, invite a friend to come over for a casual brunch.
Speaking of, my girl friend will be here soon for a catch up over pancakes!
11. Shop Your Closet
Go through your closet and pick out your must-wear summer pieces that you haven’t had a chance to wear yet or that you’re dying to rewear this season. As you peruse, ask yourself what pieces you would be sad you didn’t get to wear come time for your fall clean out or seasonal closet switch. The good news is, you still have a full month to wear them.
12. Repeat Your Favorite Summer Day or Night
You may be feeling a little blue because you’ve already experienced all your fun summer plans. If there’s a day or night that you particularly keep looking back on, why not recreate it?
Now, I know you can’t just fly back to Santorini, but that doesn’t mean you can’t bring Santorini to you. What was it about the night that was so special? The food? The ambiance? The conversation? Get together with your travel buddy, and cook the dish yourselves. You can light candles and replicate the decor, all while reminiscing.
If your favorite day was at the town pool or a date night in downtown, those should be even easier to replicate.
13. Slow Down
Does the entire to-do list need to be done today? Do you need to do endless back-to-school prep right this second? Does the house need to be deep cleaned immediately? Sometimes the answer is no, and the better option is sitting in the sun, going for a walk, diving into your beach read, or cooking that slow summer recipe.
14. Set a Reading Goal
Believe it or not, you actually do have time to start that beach read you’ve been eyeing on your book shelf — or at least finish the book you haven’t been able to finish this summer. Set a goal that feels realistic to you and your busy life but that would also feel like an exciting endeavor or rewarding accomplishment.
15. Turn Off The TV
I can’t recall a single time I looked back on a summer and thought of how great it was to sit at home and watch a TV show. Too often, we return to the routine of sitting down on the couch after a long day or week. But that’s not what summer’s about.
Instead, play a game, crack open that beach read, sit outside, or start a craft. Whatever you do, it’s sure to make it more memorable and keep the days from blending together.
I really enjoyed reading that article. Those are some really great ideas. I’m already feeling the panic of summer ending and we still have a good four weeks.