How I’m Designing a More Intentional Summer

Slowing Down, Creating Rhythms, and Letting Go of Summer Pressure

Summer is officially here, and this year, I’m actually excited for it.

Last year, we were wading through some tough stuff—processing big decisions and preparing for our transition to the Golden Isles. On top of that, it was unbearably hot, as it tends to be in the South, and I remember trying to squeeze in a bit of fun with my toddlers before the humidity swallowed us whole.

At ages two and three, we could only do so much with a small patio slab and a modest budget in the suburbs. I remember reading the

Overbooked Mama

’s Ultimate Summer Edit and dreaming of a time when summer fun would feel more accessible. This year feels lighter, not because life is perfect, but because we’re planted in a place that makes everyday magic feel more within reach.

Living near the water has given our family a front-row seat to wonder— morning walks along the pier, spontaneous beach trips with snacks and sunscreen tossed into a bag, backyard picnics by the pond. It doesn’t cost much, but it feels full and rich.

And maybe it’s because my oldest starts pre-k this fall, but I’m noticing how fleeting this season really is, so this summer I want to hold it close, I want to savor it. While I shared my bucket list in a previous post and note, I’ve also been thinking about what it looks like to soak up the season beyond a checklist. This summer, I'm leaning into presence, play, and gentle rhythm. Here's how:

1. Taking advantage of free or low-cost things in our area. From the summer reading program to the beach to the zoo, there are so many free or inexpensive activities/events to engage in this summer season. Our county's library system offers three to four events every week between our two library locations. So far, we've been to a play, hula dancing, and a reptile show in addition to weekly storytime. We're also taking advantage of $5 days at the zoo in a nearby city. I've also seen discounted movie days for kids that we may partake in. In addition to free events and discounted activities, there is always the beach, free splash pads, and other free activities or programs happening. If you're interested in scouting some free summer fun, check in with your friends or local Facebook pages to take advantage of what's offered.

   

   

2. Creating light daily and weekly anchors. Creating anchors in your day allows for pockets of productivity while leaving room for summer whimsy and fun. Anchors are great planning tools because they allow you to make room for what matters most while still leaving margin for other tasks and rhythms that support and anchor your days. We've been benefitting from having loosely structured days— that means still going into the day with a plan but being flexible and surrendering to serendipity and spontaneity that the day could bring. We usually pick a few activities to anchor us during the day/week (i.e., cleaning/housework, attending a summer reading program event, going to the beach, or having a pool day) while still leaving room for a spontaneous ice cream trip or a last-minute hangout with a friend.

   

3. Making room for margin. Similarly to having anchors, making room for margin is just as important. While it's fun to make the most of summer, not every day has to be jam-packed with activities to make it meaningful. A part of the beauty of summer is relishing these slow, lazy summer days. This summer, I am making sure to leave a little bit of margin in each day to read more with the kids, watch movies and TV shows that I normally wouldn't, stay up a bit later, and just enjoy having a looser agenda that comes with summer.

   

4. Savoring sleep and slow mornings. With my oldest starting school in the fall, our routines will be changing to reflect earlier morning and evening routines (hello, school drop-off 😆😅). Right now, I tend to wake up between 5:30 and 6 am just to get some alone time before the kids get up. I imagine that time will have to shift earlier with school drop-off starting at 7:30 am, so I'm taking advantage of sleeping in and savoring our slow mornings before they come to an end.

5. Letting go of the “perfect” summer. While it's fun to create core memories, it's important to remember that your summer doesn't need to be major to matter. You're not being graded for how well you've executed your bucket list, and your summer doesn't have to be Instagram or Pinterest-worthy to be magical. At the end of the day, it's all about being present— present to your surroundings, people, and the moments God gifts us to behold and seize every day.

I’m not trying to make this the best summer ever—I’m just trying to be in it, making the most of the days God has given me by chasing the whimsy of summer days and noticing the joy tucked into the slow, ordinary moments.

Tell me, how are you making the most of your summer? ☀️ Leave a comment, or send me a direct message!

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