Our summer has been truly incredible. We’ve been traveling all over — from Florida to Cape Cod to Hilton Head Island — soaking in sunshine, making memories, and living on the go. I did my best to let go of routines while we were away, and for the most part, it worked.
Now that we’re finally home for good, I’m not rushing to fill the calendar. Ailey’s birthday celebration is on the horizon, but other than that, our August is surprisingly quiet — and I’m leaning into that.
My daughters, on the other hand, seem to think summer only counts if we’re going full speed. They frowned at the blank spaces on our kitchen calendar, disappointed by the lack of big plans. But I reminded them that some of the best memories are made in the in-between. We don’t need another vacation or packed schedule to make summer feel special. August has its own kind of quiet magic — if we’re willing to slow down and notice it.
How to Slow Down in August
August is this beautiful in-between month – one which has always held so many emotions . Summer is still very much here, but there’s a whisper of what’s to come. The whisper can quickly turn to shouts if you let it – and the impending stress of starting a new school year will make you miss all of the time you truly have left. Instead of rushing through these last weeks worrying, I’m leaning into an easygoing softness. Slower mornings. Barefoot evenings. Moments I don’t want to miss.
Slow Mornings with a Coffee and Playlist
During the school year, I had the perfect morning routine: hydrate, protein, stretch, coffee, journal, blog, and a playlist. I thrived — waking before the sun and doing my thing until the children needed me. But summer vacation hasn’t allowed much quiet time, let alone a casual start to the day.
This month, I’m returning to my favorite slow mornings — but with a more flexible approach. Yoga, coffee, and soft music are a must, but I’m also giving myself space to edit travel photos or finally read from my stack of books. I’ve learned that a morning routine doesn’t have to be perfect — it just has to feel like mine.
The same thing goes for my girls. There are only a few weeks left to let sleepy kids sleep in or roll out leisurely with bedhead. And when school starts, we won’t have room for anything-goes-leftover-pizza for breakfast or sister snuggles on the couch. Why not spend this month letting easy quiet mornings set the tone for our day?
Unhurried Afternoons and Barefoot Evenings in
The way the sun hits the trees at 7:30pm in August should be bottled up and saved for winter. My husband is a lover of golden hour and I’m really channeling my inner Brandon to bask in the glow of August. I’ve never been one to allow for unhurried afternoons, but I’m here for them now. Why can’t we take our lunch to the neighborhood pool? What’s wrong with a 3pm movie on the couch with popcorn and pickle seasoning? Who said we can’t make a last minute trip to the store for seafood to throw on the grill?
Cheers to barefoot evenings on the deck while the kids catch lightning bugs. S’mores at the fire pit and looking for constellations. Soft music lounging or rowdy deck dance parties. Impromptu neighbor playdates while the Moms empty their freezers to make a kids dinner buffet. Sparklers with cousins and one last lobster feast with family. How could I not allow for every possibility of joy?
Finding Joy in the Ordinary
Ordinary moments are where the magic lives” is a mantra I can stand by. This summer, I’ve made a point to embrace the candid, blurry photos of us living life — the ones that tell a truer story than any posed picture ever could.
I know we’ll remember the big vacations and birthday parties, but I hope my daughters also remember the popcorn couch picnics, lightning bug hunts, and pajama mornings. Those are the moments that shape a summer — quiet, real, and full of heart.
I’d love to know — how are you spending your August? Are you soaking in the slow days or still running full speed ahead?
Leave a Reply