This summer had me slowing down in some significant ways. And not just in a slow-coffee-morning sort of way. It was far deeper and more necessary. In the spirit of reflection and gentle honesty, I’m sharing a few of my slow living summer rituals and real-life moments that shaped the season. From crafting to getting outdoors – a feat for the introvert – to slowing down to the point of necessary stillness, this summer grounded me in ways I did not expect.
SLOW LIVING SUMMER: SIMPLE RITUALS & HONEST REFLECTIONS
What I Crafted
This summer had me crafting for the fun of it – not for a blog post or for my Etsy shop – but just for me. And it felt good.
I started with a large punch needle wall art piece that made its way to our basement lounge. The blue and gold, slightly wonky, slightly abstract results made this the perfect quirky piece for this space. In fact, I shared a bit of the progress and the completed piece in this Instagram reel – I loved every minute of making it.
I’ve also been punch-needling retro-toned coasters into existence – now sitting happily in my living room.
As I’m increasingly discovering, punch needle crafting is the ultimate slow-down craft. It’s simple and great at keeping hands occupied, even while slowing down. (For a gentle introduction, see my post on How To Get Started with Punch Needle Crafting).
My circle weavings also demanded my attention. Some are almost Etsy-ready, others are waiting on additional inspiration…or the right old classic movie.
Earlier this summer, I fulfilled my first handwoven scarf commission. It was made entirely on an oversized diy nail loom. Was it the ideal loom for this project? Not exactly. But was it worth it? Absolutely.
It was made for a very special lady and I was happy to gift it to her.
Simplifying this Season
I’ve been engaged in carrying out small tweaks at home lately that have a big impact on my psyche.
The one that really helped to make our home feel a bit less chaotic was a bite-sized declutter project: A 7-Day Summer Challenge (shared here on the blog) took a little over 2 weeks, and that’s okay.
Wins included basket wrangling, sock purging, craft bin sorting, and the ever-heroic digital detox (still an ongoing battle). Nothing extreme. Just enough life editing to give my home some room to breathe.
It’s the little simplifications that free up shelf-space (and headspace, too).
What I’m Learning
This season’s fun lesson: plant cloning.
This season, I engaged in my first ever exercise in plant propagation. I took cuttings from my prayer plant and stuck them in water. Roots! Real roots began to appear in just a couple of weeks. Three cuttings went back into the mother pot, a couple into a new pot, and one’s still waiting in water, waiting for its new home.
Having always thought of myself as a black thumb where plants are concerned, I am weirdly proud of this minor accomplishment. Turns out, propagation is slow magic. Nothing…until suddenly, something lovely grows…
Summer’s Great Outdoors Experiences
Summer tends to throw me outdoors. Sometimes willingly and sometimes with bug spray 😉
This summer was all about taking short drives with big rewards. My husband and I did some low-key touring of local small towns, on our own and with family. We browsed some indie bookstores, hunted for antiques, took in some riverside walks, and even had a little fun racing against the rain to get some ice cream.
Turns out, exploration and fun doesn’t require a plane ticket. Just eyes open to your surroundings, with shoes on.
What Recovery Taught Me About Stillness
The ultimate slow-down this summer came wrapped in something I didn’t expect to share here: major surgery in early August. It forced everything to stop – work, plans, even basic routines – all replaced with rest, recovery, and a very slow, very deliberate return to myself.
And my husband has been my rock – steady and calm in moments when I wasn’t.
He’s been the quiet rhythm that keeps things moving when I have to take time to pause. And just when things felt heavy, his sense of humour brought lightness to the challenging days.
Encouraging messages from those close to me and even total strangers on social media reminded me I wasn’t alone.
And my cats? They noticed, too. Between their usual antics and full-body flops next to me, they somehow know that “mommy needs love.” They’ve been part of this healing ritual too, curling up closer than usual, insisting I stay still with them a little longer.
I’m still in the middle of recovery, so this chapter isn’t over yet. But already, it’s reminded me that slow living isn’t always aesthetic or aspirational. Sometimes, it’s just lying still and letting your body rebuild.
Final Thoughts
Recovery turned this summer into something quieter, more reflective. Slowing down isn’t always beautiful or tidy. This season invited me to slow down completely. It reminded me that healing – and living – can happen at the same time.
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