I used to believe productivity was the point of a day.
But now I know: peace is its own kind of progress.

There’s a quiet kind of magic to a slow afternoon in summer. The kind where sunlight pools on the hardwood floors, the dog sighs on the couch, and the iced water on your nightstand glows like cut glass. The house feels still but full — like it’s holding its breath in the softest way.

Not every day allows for this kind of stillness. But when it does, I let it stretch.

I slice strawberries for my water, not because I need to, but because it makes me pause. Because I work from home most of the time, it’s easy to forget to take a break. I light a candle*  at 3:07 p.m. just because I can. I pick up the kind of book that doesn’t try too hard — the kind that whispers, stay a little longer.

This is what summertime self care looks like to me. It’s not about spa days or expensive routines. It’s about noticing — the breeze, the quiet, the way the light falls on the floorboards. It’s about making tiny choices that shift the energy in a room, or in your own body. A glass of something pretty. A moment of stillness. A reason to sit down.

We need these pauses, I think. Not as a break from life, but as a way back to it.

If you want to create your own soft summer moments, start with something small. Create the small moments.

Download my FREE Storied Summer guide below and share it with your kids, your classroom, or just keep it for yourself. 🍓🕯️

And if you’re craving more of this energy, stay close — I’m building something special to help you create your own summertime self care rituals. As a sensory-seeker myself, I’m thrilled to provide you with a new printable experience.

Because restoration isn’t always a getaway. Sometimes, it’s a Tuesday afternoon.

*There are affiliate links in this post. If you click on a link in the post and place an order, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!