My relationship with summer is complex. Memories of childhood evoke feelings of guilt, that somehow I should try harder. As summer passes, in looking back I look forward. In hope there is possibility.
"As I have written previously, Clementine Barton and I spent two beautiful weeks in the Derbyshire Dales in August where we felt relaxed, at peace and unhurried. I’ve also written recently about how hard it is to preserve that state once ‘normal life’ resumes. This, of course, begs the question: why does there remain such a deep void between both?"
David, this is a great post. So many of us understand exactly what you mean, all of us with our different ways or words to describe, essentially, the same feeling. This part, especially, stuck out to me. I've often left a whimsical "vacation" or experience wondering, how can I harness this at home, in my everyday? I've come to the conclusion it starts at the heart. Our core. That's the only part truly and wholly ours. I've not gotten much further than that, as you know, it's a daily, monthly, yearly discovery! Anyhow, I'm so looking forward to how you unpack this throughout the year, and what your renewed perspective is as you enter into next year. I'll draw some inspiration from whatever you come up with!
So much of this resonates, and you are asking really good and wise questions to encourage some deeper thoughts about future summers and how some of us might dwell more contentedly in them. I think it's the heat (whatever of it we get) which drains my energy and makes the garden look so very tired in August, and it's August which is my struggle! I leave tidying up 'till everything has died in the autumn' so it remains all messy, instead of cutting back and allowing the later blooms to take centre stage. This affects how I then look at the rest of life, staying somehow a bit in limbo instead of deliberately looking out for things which I can actually begin before Autumn starts. So there's one practical intention I can aim for next year- a kind of renewal and refreshing of the garden even in the midst of the drier days. Having said all that I am so grateful for that slight chill in the air and the mists we are now getting!
Yes. As Fiona says, if the season becomes moments, then we see the beauty continually. Summer carries some of the birth of spring and some of the decline of autumn. I try to live each day with my eyes open to the goodness of life. And I’m an autumn lover too.🍂
David I feel it too. The busyness of summer is something I want to hide from and can’t wait for September! I’ve learned to be ok with that, to realise that summer is actually my winter to hibernate, if that makes sense…
I think it just takes time to realise what we each need from the seasons and how best to live in them. Really interesting post!
So much of this resonates for me, David - my parents were both teachers so quite a bit of my childhood summers were spent in schools that weren't mine, whilst they tidied classrooms (and sometimes painted them, too!) I do vividly remember the thrill of being allowed to use the staple gun to fix large sheets of sugar paper to the empty display boards, ready for some other child's artwork. Summer now, many years on from that, still feels for me a bit like a time of waiting for something else (something more interesting?) to start. I decided to be more proactive this summer and planned in more small celebrations and treats (outings with friends and family, day trips, etc) and this did help me to feel less as though it was an 'in between' stage and more something that I was actually living!
A staple gun and sugar paler sounds like my idea of heaven! Perhaps that’s what my summer 2025 needs more of?! I know what you mean about it feeling like an in-between time.
For me it is about seasonal moments not the entire season. I build my life around small seasonal moments and that has served me well in finding both the beauty and joy nestled deep within each season 🙏🏻
Summer used to be my favourite season when I was a child, I loved the holidays spent playing with my friends in the village every day and the weather was completely different, way more bearable. But then during the years and the increase of temperatures and changes brought from growing up transformed Summer in a season of loneliness and days spent indoor doing nothing because of the too hot temperatures. Summer is now an unwelcome season for me, it's like putting myself in a lethargic state for three months and coming back to life during Autumn when the temperatures drop and everyone come back from vacation. I completely understand the sadness because every year I feel like I waste my time and I tell myself to try to take Summer in a different way and try to enjoy it, or at least some aspects of it, but it's always a struggle for me.
"As I have written previously, Clementine Barton and I spent two beautiful weeks in the Derbyshire Dales in August where we felt relaxed, at peace and unhurried. I’ve also written recently about how hard it is to preserve that state once ‘normal life’ resumes. This, of course, begs the question: why does there remain such a deep void between both?"
David, this is a great post. So many of us understand exactly what you mean, all of us with our different ways or words to describe, essentially, the same feeling. This part, especially, stuck out to me. I've often left a whimsical "vacation" or experience wondering, how can I harness this at home, in my everyday? I've come to the conclusion it starts at the heart. Our core. That's the only part truly and wholly ours. I've not gotten much further than that, as you know, it's a daily, monthly, yearly discovery! Anyhow, I'm so looking forward to how you unpack this throughout the year, and what your renewed perspective is as you enter into next year. I'll draw some inspiration from whatever you come up with!
Aww, thank you so much 🙏 Yes, is definitely a journey! But you’re absolutely right, it starts at the heart ❤️
So much of this resonates, and you are asking really good and wise questions to encourage some deeper thoughts about future summers and how some of us might dwell more contentedly in them. I think it's the heat (whatever of it we get) which drains my energy and makes the garden look so very tired in August, and it's August which is my struggle! I leave tidying up 'till everything has died in the autumn' so it remains all messy, instead of cutting back and allowing the later blooms to take centre stage. This affects how I then look at the rest of life, staying somehow a bit in limbo instead of deliberately looking out for things which I can actually begin before Autumn starts. So there's one practical intention I can aim for next year- a kind of renewal and refreshing of the garden even in the midst of the drier days. Having said all that I am so grateful for that slight chill in the air and the mists we are now getting!
I think that’s a lovely intention to set for next summer ✨ But yes, like you, I am enjoying the chill in the air now.
Yes. As Fiona says, if the season becomes moments, then we see the beauty continually. Summer carries some of the birth of spring and some of the decline of autumn. I try to live each day with my eyes open to the goodness of life. And I’m an autumn lover too.🍂
David I feel it too. The busyness of summer is something I want to hide from and can’t wait for September! I’ve learned to be ok with that, to realise that summer is actually my winter to hibernate, if that makes sense…
I think it just takes time to realise what we each need from the seasons and how best to live in them. Really interesting post!
That’s such an interesting way to think of it. Perhaps summer is my own winter to hibernate too? ✨
This resonates so much! I’m a summer wilter too. I do look forward to homegrown tomatoes and peaches though!
Ooh yes, I love the bright and vibrant summer produce 🍓
So much of this resonates for me, David - my parents were both teachers so quite a bit of my childhood summers were spent in schools that weren't mine, whilst they tidied classrooms (and sometimes painted them, too!) I do vividly remember the thrill of being allowed to use the staple gun to fix large sheets of sugar paper to the empty display boards, ready for some other child's artwork. Summer now, many years on from that, still feels for me a bit like a time of waiting for something else (something more interesting?) to start. I decided to be more proactive this summer and planned in more small celebrations and treats (outings with friends and family, day trips, etc) and this did help me to feel less as though it was an 'in between' stage and more something that I was actually living!
A staple gun and sugar paler sounds like my idea of heaven! Perhaps that’s what my summer 2025 needs more of?! I know what you mean about it feeling like an in-between time.
For me it is about seasonal moments not the entire season. I build my life around small seasonal moments and that has served me well in finding both the beauty and joy nestled deep within each season 🙏🏻
I think that’s a lovely way to look at it ✨
Summer used to be my favourite season when I was a child, I loved the holidays spent playing with my friends in the village every day and the weather was completely different, way more bearable. But then during the years and the increase of temperatures and changes brought from growing up transformed Summer in a season of loneliness and days spent indoor doing nothing because of the too hot temperatures. Summer is now an unwelcome season for me, it's like putting myself in a lethargic state for three months and coming back to life during Autumn when the temperatures drop and everyone come back from vacation. I completely understand the sadness because every year I feel like I waste my time and I tell myself to try to take Summer in a different way and try to enjoy it, or at least some aspects of it, but it's always a struggle for me.
Yes, it’s definitely a struggle. I often ask myself what would need to change to make it less of a struggle? ✨