Slow & Simple Moments | 08.24
Amidst the busyness of late-summer, moments of rest and renewal seem even more important, as we seek solace in the world around us, craving a sense of stillness and calm.
In this series, I share some of the things I’ve been getting up to, places I’ve been, and other beautiful and special slow and simple moments from the past month.
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As I sit at my desk penning this next post, the sky is grey, the wind has whipped up, and a few fallen leaves scurry along the road outside. If it wasn’t for the lingering humidity, you could be forgiven for thinking we were in November, not August. But amidst the solitary greyness of today, there are signs of change. The mornings and the evenings of late have had a chill in the air, that feint scent of autumn riding the dusky late-summer skies. There is change in the air, and soon, just as quickly as it arrived, summer will depart, giving reluctantly away to autumn. I don’t want to wish the summer away, but I’m ready for autumn, to shed the old in order to make way for the new. To me, the beauty of nature in autumn is unrivalled. The rich, earthy colours, the chilly, misty mornings, and the emerging cosiness as we prepare for winter. There is, of course, plenty of summer still to come, but change is on the horizon.
August 2024
I’m sure I’m not the only who approaches August with mixed feelings. It is presented as a busy month of holidays, seaside outings, day trips, and time with family and friends. Yet the air is heavy and humid, the sun hot, and feelings of seep through our bodies, the climbs seeming even greater. For me, seeking my own slow and simple moments this month has been even more important. Last month, I wrote that life felt heavy and crowded, and that I was seeking lightness and freshness. My mind and body craved it, but did I find it?
Here are some of my slow and simple moments from August. I hope they might inspire and encourage you to seek out your own in the months to come.
A Chill in the Air
I alluded to this above, but for me, one of the most beautiful moments in the year is when the warm summer nights begin to once again embrace that unmistakable chill which means only one thing, that autumn isn’t too far away. Suddenly, the heaviness of day gives way to a freshness. It teases all our senses with the season to come, the bright sunshine of day ebbing away to leave a chilly stillness in the air. Soon, the early morning mist will rise effortlessly from the water, that eerie, but comforting feeling of autumn unfolding before us. If you’re on Instagram, Jacqui’s photos always capture each season so evocatively, so do give her a follow.
Embrace the wonder of all your senses as the seasons change; how might the transition manifest itself without the eyes?
Rest
and I were very lucky to spend a couple of weeks away in the beautiful Derbyshire Dales. Although it’s less than 40 miles away, it’s such a different landscape, and the change of air and scenery was very welcome. Rest and relaxation are not always easy, and I have in my life struggled with both. It’s easy to feel guilty, that we should be on the go all the time being productive, egged on by the world’s glorification of busy. Yet rest and refreshment are so important for body, mind, and soul. It’s an art I’m still learning, but it was a very welcome break, with plenty of opportunity for thinking and reflection. Somehow, being away from home allows us to see things in a different light, with an alternative vision, offering us a much-needed different perspective. We can’t always rest by going away, so I wonder how you find restful moments in the day-to-day busyness of life?
By the Water
Almost all of us have water close by, whether it be rivers, canals, ponds, lakes, or maybe even the sea. Water has often been described as the source of life, and in many respects, it offers us a deep connection to the earth which isn’t always easy to find elsewhere. As a child, I can remember being awe-inspired looking out at the vastness of the sea, or the rushing water of a river in full flow. Water in its many forms can offer us solace, somehow reflecting our mood, and offering us a moment to pause. We have been lucky over the last few weeks to be by the water, by the beautiful River Derwent, which weaves its way through the ever-expanding valley of the Derbyshire Dales as it travels from its source towards the sea. We have enjoyed too, watching the water fall over the rocks, waterfalls drawing us into a mystical sense of refreshment and renewal. We have seen water emerging from deep springs, clearer than any water source other than our own taps. In a turbulent world, connecting with the most basic and essential elements of life can offer us reassurance. They ground us in something deeper.
Seek out time by the water. I wonder where that water has travelled from and will journey too?
Community and Connection
Perhaps precipitated by time away, and slow and gentle moments to think, I have been reflecting on the importance of community and connection. The online world, far from slow and simple as it is, nevertheless offers us the opportunity to connect and build community with like-minded individuals. In a world where we can connect with one another instantly, often for free, and at the click of a button, perhaps the true, meaningful connections at a personal level, become even more important. It’s six months since I began publishing on Substack, and I value hugely the connections made here. We’re often reminded to surround ourselves with those who bring us joy, but also those who care. I’m currently reading Phoebe Smith’s Wayfarer, and amidst the pages filled with her beautiful, heartfelt writing, she says:
‘At that moment, at that particular point, on that particular day, I needed to know that someone cared about what happened to me. That someone wanted me to be okay. That I mattered.’
It many ways, the online world offers to align us with those who care, albeit from a distance. Sometimes, it’s easy to forget how important it is to simply care for one another, to be there when someone needs you, and to look out for others.
In this busy, online world, who do you surround yourself with? Who are the members of your tribe? Who are the people who care for you?
I look forward to seeing which slow and simple moments September will bring. Why not let me know in the comments some of your special moments from the month of August.
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Some really lovely images, and I feel the same about awaiting that freshness of early autumn. It has always been the best time of year for me to feel a real sense of new beginnings, no doubt related to the start of many school years! I so agree about the opportunity we have here for creating communities too - and have found real friendships online despite never meeting in person.
The whiff of autumn is definitely in the air and I feel such relief at the shift. I never want to wish days away, but the prospect of September is a thrilling one!