☀️ Let’s Slow the Summer Down a Bit…
There’s something about summer, isn’t there? The sunshine rolls in, the routine goes out the window, and suddenly we’re torn between wanting to do all the things… and absolutely nothing at all.
Let’s be honest, summer has a funny way of throwing our usual structure out of the window. The kids are off, the traffic’s lighter, people vanish on holidays, and we’re left wondering if we should be doing more or doing less. And here’s the thing: it’s OK to do less.
Instead of fighting the lack of routine or feeling guilty because we’re not being “productive” every second of the day, what if we leaned into it a little?
What if we gave ourselves permission to slow right down?
☁️ Go with the Flow (Literally)
So often we’re rushing around trying to keep up with to-do lists, appointments, and messages… but summer gives us a natural pause button. Rather than getting frustrated that we’re not ticking everything off the list, maybe we just stop trying to tick for a bit.
Use this time to listen to what your body actually needs. Sleep in. Sit in the garden. Wander round aimlessly. You never know, you might find more joy in the quiet moments than in the busy ones.
☀️ Blame It on the Sunshine (In a Good Way)
Ever noticed how sunshine slows us down without asking for permission? We walk slower, talk slower, nap more… and somehow, that’s exactly what we need.
Energy levels tend to dip and rise differently during warmer months, so don’t be surprised if you’re not buzzing like you usually are. That’s not laziness, that’s your body adjusting. Let it.
Mo Gawdat once said, “Busy is a form of laziness” ouch, but kind of true! So instead of clinging to the myth that being constantly busy = being important, what if we embraced the opposite?
🍉 Your Summer Reminder
You don’t need to earn rest.
You don’t have to be endlessly productive to prove your worth.
Summer isn’t just for holidays, it’s a great time for slowing down, reflecting, pottering, and doing things that make your soul feel full.
So whether you’re reading this from a deckchair, a lunch break, or a sofa with the fan blowing on your face… take this as your permission slip to slow down this summer. Just for a bit.
Because rest isn’t a reward — it’s a right.
🌿 Do Less and Do It Well
Let’s talk about multitasking. Or rather… let’s not.
Because here’s the truth: doing all the things, all at once, doesn’t actually make us more productive, it just makes us more frazzled.
We wear multitasking like a badge of honour (especially us women, we’re brilliant at it), but it turns out the brain isn’t a fan. It doesn’t juggle tasks – it switches between them, which means more effort, more energy, and often, more mistakes. Basically, it’s like trying to type an email while bouncing on a trampoline, you might get it done, but it won’t be pretty!
Instead, here’s a little idea…
🧠 Focus on One Thing at a Time
What if you gave one task your full attention, no distractions, no jumping around, just you and the job at hand?
Research says productivity actually goes up when we do less at once. Fewer tasks = more clarity. More peace. More satisfaction when you finish something properly.
And you know what? That feels good.
🛠 Try it out:
Choose just a few things from your list that truly matter today. Not the 25 half-thought-out ones, just the 2 or 3 real priorities.
Give each one your focus, even if it’s just for 15–20 mins at a time.
Try not to scroll or flick to something else in between, the world can wait, promise!
When you’re done, reward yourself. A brew in the garden, a walk, a paddle, a scroll, guilt-free, because you’ve earned it.
It’s a small shift, but it can change everything. You start to feel less rushed, less scattered, and more in control. And who doesn’t need a bit more of that?
🌞 Deckchair Days & Slow Hobbies
Sometimes doing nothing is exactly what you need.
We tend to think rest is unproductive, but funnily enough, when we finally stop doing, our brains actually switch on in new ways. That’s why we come back from holidays brimming with ideas and “right, I’m going to sort my life out” energy. (Whether we do or not is another story… 😉)
So now’s the perfect time to check in with yourself. Where are you at? What do you want the second half of the year to feel like?
🪑 Get Deckchair Dreaming
Whether you’re in a garden chair, on a blanket, or just flopped out on the sofa, give yourself permission to pause. To daydream. To think big, wild, gentle thoughts.
No pressure to take action right away, just let your mind wander. Maybe write a few ideas down. Or just enjoy staring at the clouds.
Feeling frazzled is more common than we realise, a recent study said nearly 3 in 4 of us feel stressed to the point of overwhelm. No wonder we’re tired!
Mo Gawdat (clever chap) says if we can build habits that reduce or help us cope with stress, we’ll feel calmer and more resilient. And that starts with space. Stillness. And a few good daydreams.
🌼 Enjoy Slow Hobbies
Fast-paced fun is great sometimes, but summer invites us to soften the edges.
So swap the hectic day out for a peaceful walk in the woods. Or a quiet picnic by a lake. At home, potter about: water the garden, hang the washing out slowly, enjoy the simplicity of it.
Even the most mundane things can feel almost meditative when we’re present.
🪴 Try it out:
• Create a little “summer retreat” space, a corner of the garden, a cosy chair by a window, or even a cushion on the floor.
• Choose slow, soothing activities: reading, sketching, sorting your skincare basket 😄
• Connect with others by doing restful things together — a walk, a natter, a cuppa outside.
Sometimes we wait for a big break to rest and recharge. But honestly? A few slow hours in your day can work wonders.
💬 Let me know how you’re slowing down this summer…
Are you switching off more? Saying no to things? Prioritising rest or just pottering about like a contented cat in the sun?
Pop a comment below or drop me a message, I’d love to hear how you’re embracing your own version of “slow.”