I work early-ish today around 7am, thankfully the new stick on black-out curtains are helping me sleep beyond the cock-crow sunrises now! The truth is I don’t cover the whole window fully though, I leave a little gap at the top so I can know when the light rises, enough to begin waking me, not enough to make me get up huffing! I like to see the light and my watch (it’s an old skool one, no digital glowing face. I love waking up to birdsong and feeling a sense of opportunity and the possibility of it all stretch ahead of me each day.

It’s incredibly beautiful here right now, and though I’ve already said goodbye to the matrimonial hawthorn blossoms and delicate elderflowers; the tree canopies are full and leafy, the wild roses sashay in the breeze the montbretias are starting to flicker some orange splashes here and there . So is much life around my little home - birds, bees, wasps, insects, dogs, me, plants, trees, grasses, wild flowers, ferns and more! Before the rain came, it was very dry, parched and the grass crisp underfoot. Then the thunder storms rolled in, heavy, booming and torrential for days, sadly too late for the red clovers that had given up and faded to brown and brittle. The ox eye daisies that beamed their golden smile to June’s sunshine, are too tall now at over 4 foot and collapsed under the rain. But the buttercups, plentiful and hardy still thrive with their faces bobbing toward the sky, no matter the weather. My skin is tanned, bumpy here and there with the ill-effects of the vicious horse flies and I waft lavender oil with every step to ease the angry itch left in their wake.

How it is July already? It feels like the days are flying by, and that summer is slipping away like sand grains from between my fingers. I can’t quite seem to catch it and hold onto this precious time as it eludes my grasp. I want to feel ‘in time’, for it to move more slowly so I can it enjoy it all the more, summer is my favourite season I don’t want it to go shoosh by! I’ve been mulling over how I might make time slow down, or at least feel as though it’s not always just out of my grasp and gone before I realised I had it right there in front of me. So here’s what I came up with……

1. Cultivate mindful awareness

Mindfulness is about fully engaging with the present moment, acknowledging our thoughts and feelings without judgment. Embrace the practice of mindful living by being fully present in each experience, whether it’s chatting to a friend, or sipping a cup of herbal tea, feeling the grass beneath your feet, or admiring the vibrant hues of sunset. Engaging our senses in this way allows us to savor the present moment and create a sense of being in-time.

2. Embrace the Rhythm of Nature

Summer offers us the perfect opportunity to connect with the natural world and synchronize our lives with its rhythms. Wake up early and witness the sun's golden rays gently kiss the earth, or take a night stroll beneath the starlit sky. Observe the blooming flowers as they come ago day after day, listen to the birds' melodious songs, and indulge in the flavors of seasonal fruits and vegetables. By immersing ourselves in nature's beauty, we create a profound connection with the world around us, helping us slow down and appreciate the passing of time.

3. Practice slow and gentle Yoga

Yoga, with its ancient wisdom and breath synchronised movements, serves as a powerful tool for slowing down time. Dedicate a few minutes each day to roll out your mat and practice slow, mindful asanas. Allow your breath to guide your movements, and savour each stretch and release. Whether it's a restorative yoga sequence or a gentle flow, the key is to move with intention, honouring your body's needs and setting the intention for relaxation. (I’ve yoga classes both indoors and outdoors all summer in case you fancy this one!)

4. Disconnect from digital distractions

Technology can often steal our time and attention. Take conscious steps to disconnect from digital distractions and create tech-free zones in your life. Designate specific times during the day to unplug and immerse yourself in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment instead. Try a full on digital detox for 30 days as recommended by Cal Newport in his amazing, thought provoking book Digital Minimalism. Engage in meaningful conversations with loved ones, read a book that inspires you, or simply take a quiet moment to reflect and journal. By creating intentional space without the constant buzz of notifications, we allow time to slow down and embrace a deeper sense of presence.

4. Embrace slow food and nourishing rituals

Slow down and savor the flavours of the season by embracing slow food. Explore local farmers' markets, gather fresh seasonal and local ingredients, forage in the hedgerows and sea shore and engage in the art of cooking mindfully. Experiment with new recipes. Sit down at the table without distractions, savouring each bite and engage in mindful conversation with others. Organise a pot luck style picnic with your neighbours. Give thanks for the bounty of food we have to enjoy.

5. Leave Space

For once, make no plans, leave room for spontaneous joyful experiences like going for an impromtu picnic or an evening swim with friends. Read a book lying on the grass with no where else to be. Hang a hammock and have a nap.

6. Write to remember

We are forget beings, always rushing ahead to the next thing, take a few minutes each morning or night to write about your day, something lovely like three things your grateful for and something you’re looking forward to. Write about your days, record observations using your senses - what do you hear, feel, see, smell and taste?

8. Take up a slow hobby

Crafting, stone stacking, gardening, knitting, painting, pottery - anything that helps you savour the moment and enjoy the process.

9. Make a ‘love to’ list

A list of things you’d love to do this summer, plan them in like marker points or milestones. This is shameless self promotion, but why not check out some of my unique events coming up - visit here for more

10. Say no!

When you say no to something, you make room for something else you could enjoy more. Protect your time and energy, spend them intentionally on things that make you feel happy and content

11. Embrace the new and novel

Often the days race by when do the same old thing, day after day. Remember the pandemic? Every day was the same, melting into one big knot without any points of difference, frames of reference or things to look foward to that separated out time. Try something new, exciting and novel that you’ll remember

12. Work smarter

No multitasking, condense work into a few productive hours, check email once or twice a day only. You don’t always have to be available and this will free up more of your time for the above!

Summer offers us the gift of long, sun-drenched days and the opportunity to slow down time. As someone who tries to cherish slow and seasonal living, I invite you to embrace the art of presence. By engaging with some of these suggestions above, we can create a summer filled with profound joy, peace, and an expanded perception of time. Remember, it is within our power to slow down time and savor the sweetness of it.

I’ll leave you with a beautiful Italian phrase that would make a beautiful intention “La dolce far niente” (the sweetness of doing nothing). Literally: the essence of doing nothing and enjoying it. Nothingness is that pleasant experience of enjoying time going by, letting your thoughts taking over. Where all that matters is living the moment. No stress, no pressure, nothing matters; just live in the moment, a ‘doing nothing’ moment.

Wishing you a slow moving July.

Le grá,

Maeve x