Easy practices to align with the spirit of summer

Summer carries a very different energy from the rest of the year. It is outward-facing, luminous, generous. The days are longer, the earth is abundant, and there’s an almost constant invitation to step outside and participate in life more fully.

Spiritually, summer is the season of expansion, vitality, and presence. It asks us not to rush ahead or turn inward, but to be here—to enjoy what is growing, to receive warmth and nourishment, and to allow ourselves to be seen. Aligning with summer doesn’t require big lifestyle changes or elaborate rituals. In fact, the most powerful practices are often the simplest ones, repeated gently and consistently.

Below are easy, nurturing ways to honour summer through daily rhythms, weekly rituals, creativity, food, and reflection—so the season becomes something you live, not just something you pass through.

Creating With the Energy of Summer

Summer is naturally creative. Light, colour, and nature itself spark expression, making this an ideal time to work with your hands in simple, joyful ways.

Things to make to celebrate summer

1. Sun Catchers

Use pressed flowers, orange or yellow tissue paper, or glass gems with clear contact paper to create window art that catches and reflects sunlight. Or you can also buy suncatcher kits to create your own hanging sun catcher. Hang them where morning or evening light pours in, and let them become a daily reminder of brightness and warmth.

2. Herb Bundles or Nature Wreaths

Gather lavender, rosemary, basil, or wildflowers and create:

• herbal bundles for drying

• wreaths for your door (you can use sea grasses for this or else thin bendy branches)

• simple table centrepieces

This practice connects you directly with summer’s abundance and the wisdom of plants.

3. Summer Vision Board

Instead of focusing on goals or productivity, reflect on how you want to feel this season. Think about experiences, energy, rest, play, and connection. Create a collage that represents the summer you want to inhabit. You can print images from the internet, cut them out from magazines or draw or paint them yourself! Canva is a great option for online vision boards.

4. Painted Stones

Decorate stones with symbols of summer—sun, waves, fruit, insects—and place them around your garden or home. These small touches anchor the season into your physical space.

Routines That Honour the Season

Summer invites us to work with light rather than against it. Small adjustments to your daily and weekly routines can bring your body and spirit into harmony with the season.

Here are some ideas for routines to enhance your summer:

1. The “Sun Hour” Morning Routine

Spend your first waking hour outdoors when possible. This might include:

• light movement or stretching

• journaling

• reading

• sipping tea

• quiet reflection - perhaps you can watch the clouds or the movement of branches, or listen to birds

• visiting a nearby park or beach, perhaps with a furry friend if you have one!

Morning sunlight supports your circadian rhythm and sets the tone for an energized yet grounded day.

2. Weekly Adventure Ritual

Once a week, choose one small adventure:

• a new walking trail

• a lake or river visit

• a neighbourhood market

• a local café with outdoor seating

These gentle explorations keep summer feeling spacious and alive.

3. Slow Evenings

As daylight stretches, resist the urge to fill evenings with tasks. Instead, build a rhythm of:

• evening strolls

• outdoor dinners

• sitting outside in twilight

This is a beautiful way to honour summer’s lingering light and natural slowing at the end of the day.

4. Seasonal Self-Care

Let your self-care reflect the season:

• gentle yoga outdoors

• cooling rituals like aloe or cucumber masks

• herbal iced teas

• ocean, river, or lake swims

• limiting screen time and welcoming sunlight

Summer self-care is about circulation, cooling, and ease—not intensity.

Eating With the Season

Food is one of the most accessible ways to align with summer. Fresh, colourful, hydrating meals help you literally take the season into your body.

Summer Recipes to Celebrate the Season

1. Citrus + Herb Infused Water

Mix lemon or orange with mint, basil, or cucumber with still or sparkling water (a soda stream is a great investment at this time of year!). Sip throughout the day to stay refreshed and connected to summer’s vitality.

2. Summer Salad

A bright, celebratory bowl with:

Some summer fruit - peach, nectarine or mango are all great choices

Feta or halloumi

toasted almonds

spinach or arugula

some protein of choice (roasted left-over chicken works well or cannellini beans)

honey-balsamic dressing

3. BBQ'd or grilled Vegetable Platter

Grill zucchini, corn, capsicum, and tomatoes. Drizzle with olive oil and fresh herbs for a grounding, communal meal.

4. Honey-Lavender Lemonade

Simmer lavender, mix with honey and lemon juice, chill, and serve over ice. It’s summer in a glass.

Reflecting With Summer’s Wisdom

Summer is a powerful time for reflection—not in a heavy or inward way, but with curiosity and openness. Journaling helps you notice what is blooming and where joy wants to expand.

Journal Reflection Ideas for Summer

What is flourishing in my life right now?

Where do I feel most alive and energized?

Which parts of myself am I ready to show more openly?

How can I invite more joy and play into my days?

What intentions do I want to set for this season of abundance?

Aligning with the spirit of summer doesn’t mean doing everything on this list. It means choosing what feels nourishing and letting it repeat naturally. Summer teaches us that growth doesn’t have to be forced—and that joy, light, and connection are spiritual practices in their own right.

Let the season meet you where you are, and allow yourself to fully receive it.