Activity: Five Ways to Honour Litha’s Light
If there were ever a season that invites us to slow down, it is Summer. Long, languid days, warm evenings and a gentle loosening of routine should, in theory, make rest feel effortless, yet many of us still feel pressure to be busy. Social media, full calendars and the cultural pull toward constant activity can make even the most spacious months feel rushed.
Here are five slow living practices I’m embracing during Litha, the height of Summer.
1. Summer Reading
One of the simplest ways to slow time is to read. A book has a way of anchoring you fully in the moment, drawing your attention away from the noise of daily life. I’ve been consciously carving out small pockets of reading time and it has brought me more presence and joy than almost anything else. If you can, order from an independent bookseller, they need our support more than ever.
2. Eat the Seasons
Visit a pick-your-own farm, fill your basket and preserve your haul for the darker months ahead. Jams, jellies, cordials, pickles, ferments all are beautiful ways to distil Summer’s brightness. Opening a jar in deep Winter feels like opening a window to July.
3. Staycation Slow Travel
Summer doesn’t need grand itineraries. Exploring nearby villages, coastal paths or market towns can offer the same sense of nourishment with far less pressure. Play tourist at home: visit the places you always meant to see, wander new neighbourhoods and let the familiar become fresh again.
4. Make the Most of the Light
In Scotland, the light stretches late into the evening, and I try to soak up every last drop. Walk after dinner, sit in the garden, open the windows wide to the warm air or begin a gentle running routine. Consider it storing sunlight for the months when daylight is in short supply, topping up your inner reserves while you can.
5. A Slow Summer in the Kitchen
Mindful kitchen tasks feel perfectly matched to this season. Podding peas, slicing fruit for compote or stirring a pan of slowly thickening jam can be unexpectedly restorative. These unrushed makes also taste better; a small, everyday reminder that slow living is often the sweetest way to live.
Do you have any slow living tips for Summer?
