| Joy |
Yesterday was the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, kicking off the official first day of summer for most north of the equator. A fun way to add joy to your daily life is to embrace the season you are in. So, as summer begins, here are some ideas to dive into summertime.
Outdoor Games
- Summer is a laid back time of year. The warmer weather tends to slow us down a bit, and the longer hours of daylight can give us the feeling of having more time in the day. Outdoor games are a fun way to enjoy the lazy days of summer. As it cools off in the evening, get outside with family or friends and play. Try croquet, cornhole, bocce ball, or even just toss a ball or frisbee.
Treat Yourself to a New Summer Outfit
- As the weather warms up, treat yourself to a new summer outfit… Perhaps a beautiful sundress with sandals and a straw purse to go out for an alfresco dinner, maybe a new workout set to help you stay cool along with a pair of athletic shoes, possibly some fresh shorts and a cool top for every day, or a new bathing suit, coverup, and hat for the pool or beach.
Go on a Picnic
- Going on a picnic is a fun way to get out in nature and enjoy what the season has to offer. Find a nice outdoor park with trees for shade. Make a picnic lunch or dinner date with someone or even go by yourself. Pack some easily portable food, drinks, supplies, and picnic blanket. Relax, savor, and enjoy!
Engage Your Senses with Summer
- A great way to connect with each season is to engage your senses. Look around and see what summer brings. Stop and gaze at flowers, watch bees gather nectar, notice butterflies floating through the air, admire the flashes from lightening bugs. Smell the flowers in bloom, the salty ocean if you visit the beach, or food cooking on a grill. Really taste the food of the season, savoring things such as watermelons or peaches. Listen to the laughter of children playing free from school, birds singing, or frogs croaking at night. Feel the heat of the sun and the relief of a breeze, the temperature dropping in the evening, or water cooling you off if you go for a swim.
Make Homemade Lemonade
- Homemade lemonade is a refreshing summer treat. Grab some lemons and squeeze them into a pitcher filled with cold water (use one lemon for each cup of water you use). Then add some raw honey to your taste and ice if you’d like. Mix and enjoy, adjusting if necessary. Add more water and lemon juice if it’s too sweet or more honey if it’s too tart. As an added bonus, pour in some lavender syrup. If you do, test before adding the raw honey because the lavender syrup is sweet. You can buy lavender syrup already made or make your own by bringing a combination of 1 cup of water, 1/4 cup culinary grade lavender flowers, and raw honey (to taste) to a boil, simmer the mixture for about 15 minutes, and let it cool before straining the lavender out. Add about a tablespoon to your lemonade at a time so you don’t over flavor it. The rest can be stored in the refrigerator for a week or two.
Invite Friends and/or Family for a Celebratory Meal
- Of course, throughout each season there are occasions to celebrate, but think specifically of a special occasion summer brings and invite friends and/or family over for a celebratory meal. For example, maybe someone has a summer birthday, if you live in the US, have a 4th of July bash, or you could even just get together to celebrate summertime.
Go to the Beach, Camping, or Swimming
- A trip to the beach, going camping, or simply spending the afternoon at a pool are great ways to relax and rejuvenate during the summer months. Plan an outing or vacation and sit back, relax, and soak in your surroundings.
Decorate Your Door with a Summer Wreath
- A fun way to experience each season is to switch out a wreath on your door for each. You can buy an already made wreath or create your own. Find colors, objects from nature, and other decorations that remind you of the season.
Treat Yourself to Sunflowers to Place in a Vase
- Having flowers in vases sprinkled throughout my home is always a treat that brings me joy. Sunflowers are a bright way to add some summer color to your surroundings. Treat yourself to a bouquet of sunflowers to add some brightness to your home.
Decorate Your Kitchen Counter or Table with a Bowl of Citrus Fruit
- Another easy way to bring the brightness of summer in is to decorate your kitchen counter or table with a bowl of citrus fruit. The colors and smells of citrus fruits remind me of sunshine. Pick out a pretty basket or bowl to fill with citrus fruits. You could go for a monochromatic look with just one type of citrus (think yellow with lemons or orange with oranges), or you could have a multicolored bowl filled with lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruit). As an added bonus, you’ll have a supply of healthy foods available for a snack or flavoring your water.
Garden
- The season of summer is a time nature flourishes with growth. Gardening is a great way to connect to the rhythms of nature. Gardening can be as simple as a few pots with flowers, herbs or vegetables. You could start a larger garden in the ground or in raised beds. How about a butterfly garden or rose garden? The possibilities are plenty. Do what works for you.
However you choose to connect with the season of summer, I hope it’s filled with joy and fun! Share any other ideas you have to enjoy summertime below.