How I'm Designing a More Intentional Summer
Sunlight, nostalgia, summer anchors, and the art of slowing down
Anyone else had a love affair with summer their entire life? For me, not one has gone by without me feeling its magic. How once the weather warms and the days lengthen, there is this collective exhale. As if overnight, we innately know it’s time to stop taking life so seriously and live a little.
🥗 Lingering a little longer after a delish dinner.
☀️ Sipping a glass of rosé while watching the sunset.
👙 Wearing the bright, high-cut one piece to the pool.
🌠 Sitting under the stars chatting with your partner until 11pm.
🍦 Letting the kids stay up to eat ice cream cones and catch fireflies.
🗓️ Rescheduling the Monday meetings to extend the weekend.
We see it all around us — the permission slip to celebrate being alive. The cicadas sing their song, the ocean dances with swimmers, the city sidewalks swell with conversation.
Gosh, I have so many gorgeous memories of this time of year. Don’t you?
As a kid, running around in my neon Speedo, boogie boarding in the ocean, playing manhunt with the neighbors.
As a teen, wearing Banana Republic bikinis (IYKYK), reading about lipgloss and fashion in magazines, and tanning on towels with best friends.
As a working adult, finding the most perfect rooftop bar in New York City for a cocktail, venturing out to Montauk for the 4th, and wearing floral dresses.
And of course, as a mama, letting my babies little feet touch the ocean for the first time, swimming with them in the pool, and playing favorite tunes on repeat.
All of it carrying so much color and fun.
So, as we’re on the cusp of another vibrant season — two things have been on my mind:
One. What about nature exactly is contributing to this intoxicating energy burst? Because truly, I’ve never thought too deeply about it. And it’s high time I do.
And two. How do I want to live this season more intentionally? Because I’ve flown by the seat of my pants the last 6+ summers and I want to do things differently this year.
Number One: Nature’s Rhythm
I started reading about what actually happens in nature during the summer months (a definite rabbit hole) — and quickly realized the sun is doing far more than warming the air. Because of the sheer amount of sunlight, plants are growing more quickly, trees are filling out, flowers are blooming, animals are birthing and maturing. The butterflies are bursting onto the scene. Everything is very much alive.
And we respond to that.
Increased sunlight affects our mood, energy levels, sleep cycles, and nervous systems, which helps explain why so many of us naturally become more outward, more energized, and more interested in play this time of year.
But what struck me most wasn’t the science — like the fact that our bodies make more of the “happy chemical” this time of year or how it’s prime Vitamin D production time. It was yet again seeing how connected we are to the natural world, despite spending so much of our lives indoors, staring at screens.
Summer arrives and suddenly we want to watch the sunset. Feel the breeze on our skin and smell in the air. Take just one more quick dip in the water. We linger. And that’s not just because summer is fun. It’s because we’re responding to the same thing everything else is responding to: more sunlight and, therefore, more life force energy.
It made me think about how necessary it is to mentally switch on our own “summer button.” Meaning as we feel the pace of life shift into a more laid back and playful gear, we let ourselves do the same.
Instead of holding on tightly to a rigid schedule or a million commitments, how can we loosen our grip? Because it’s easy to expect the same of ourselves no matter the season — the same output, the same focus, the same pace.
Where can we create some breathing room so that we say yes to the things that make summer feel like summer, and fully experience the season while it’s here?
For me that looks like accepting the fact that I will be less productive in June and July. I may not make much progress towards clarifying my professional vision, growing on Substack, or reaching my fitness goals.
It looks like being ok with the simplicity of many pool days with the kids, lots of watermelon, berries, and peaches, and doing my best to facilitate play dates and fun activities for us a family.
It looks like feeling into my own energy and asking myself often how I can romanticize the season a bit. Maybe that’s pulling together an outfit that feels pretty or taking a walk while my husband gets the kids ready for bed, or integrating some of my own childhood nostalgia.
How can we choose little things that align with how we want summer to feel?
Number Two: The Intentional Summer
If you’re a mom like me or just lead a super busy life, I’ve found that the key to really making the most of any season is setting your intention for it before you’re contending with kiddos who need entertainment, camp drop offs, or travel.
Over the last few years in particular, I’ve found myself moving through spring just fine, and then boom — it’s almost May and I haven’t signed my oldest child up for camp yet. Or we haven’t made any set-in-stone plans to visit the beach — a must for me. Or I’m staring at my swimsuits and denim shorts thinking, Ugh I’m not feeling any of this anymore.
This year, I decided to start getting my sh*t together in March. Camp sign ups. Travel plans. Pool gear. Fresh sunscreen. New linen pieces. Loose plans for what our summer days will entail when camp is over. Movies on the green downtown.
It feels a way more buttoned up and clear for us as a unit, while also including me as a person. Because I want to feel just excited for our pool day as the kids do. In a swimsuit I love, with a book I can enjoy, with our lunches in a cute cooler. I want our evenings eating on the deck to look beautiful and feel relaxed. And I want the moments that I do have for myself to be used thoughtfully.
So, if I want this summer to feel nostalgic, fun, and relaxed without losing myself in the process, what will help create that feeling?
Here’s what I came up with:
One big trip.
Since moving to Georgia, my soul needs a summer visit up north. So, it’s becoming a tradition to spent 7+ days in New Jersey with my family. It’s where I get to hold onto the summer I always look forward to — a few long days at the beach, ocean swims, barbecues at my parents’ house. And most of all, quality time with the people I love but don’t get to see very often.
Two weeks of camp.
Even though I didn’t grow up going to camp every summer, I do want my kids to experience something fun and social and enriching. So for two weeks in June, Violet will be at art camp because she’s turned into a little artist. And Jack will be doing some water play at his Montessori pre-school. This is also strategic so that I’ll have some time to get ahead of my summer content.
Daily summer anchors.
I think this idea is honestly the most helpful in cultivating joy and nostalgia. Where we’ve got some rituals to anchor our summer days a bit. Our mornings will be relaxed and if the weather permits, we’ll eat breakfast outside. Then, on non-camp weeks, pool time — where we’ll spend the morning and lunch before heading home for some quiet time. The afternoon we’ll have options — play with cousins, a board game, an art project, or an outing. Watermelon and fruit will always be available for snacks, of course. And then dinners outside followed by a healthy treat while we watch the sun start to set. Or maybe a visit to the ice cream shop before winding it down. Once or twice a week, we’ll do a movie night with popcorn. And, depending on what’s happening locally, we may venture out to explore. Having a handle on our summer essentials feels very grounding.
Mom-matters-too details.
Ok, so I’ve never done this before — mapped out how I will be included in the fun of summer. And it’s ridiculous I haven’t thought about it much until now. But here we are. My plan is to get up 30 mins earlier than everyone a few times a week — I’d love to commit to it daily but we’ll see. That’s when I’ll intentionally create space before the chaos ensues. So that’s one. The next is weaving movement into the day — if the kids are swimming, I’m swimming. If we’re outside, we’re walking. If the kids are playing together, I’m pulling out some dumbbells.
Then, there’s intentionally finding pockets of quiet — like reading a few pages of my book while the kids swim or swing on the swingset. Or stepping into the other room to do a few minutes of breathwork. Or catching the end of sunset after we put the kids to bed. There’s also the part where I want to feel put together every day. Which is why I’ve invested in a few pieces that are mix and match, linen, and in my color palette. It’s feels so good to look cute while momming at the pool.
And finally, there’s a few planned summer outings for me and my husband. A concert, a dinner in Atlanta, a night or two where the kids sleepover at their grandparents. Things that bring us back together and enjoy summer as a couple.
I know it all won’t be perfect and some plans will for sure fall by the wayside, but at least I’ve got a what feels like a map. Something I can use as a guide when I’m not sure what to do. And I think that’s the point — the aliveness of summer isn’t dependent on perfect plans but something flexible and fluid. Something that leaves room for whatever fun idea or opportunity arrives. Or even just the chance to nap on a lounge chair after lunch.
So, I suppose the invitation is to both lean into what this season is asking of you — do what makes you feel alive and free. While also creating space to breathe and reset. Because we all know that while summer is fun and exciting, it can also be a lot.
Here’s to aligning with nature’s rhythm while also finding our own.
Big hug,
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Enjoyed this piece so much - thank you! I was hooked when you started talking about what happens in nature🌿 and then ... 'seeing how connected we are to the natural world, despite spending so much of our lives indoors, staring at screens.' and more sunlight = more lifeforce energy - beautifully said and such a simple yet powerful reminder to follow the ☀️
Wishing you a slowly savored summer!🤌🏽