I’m writing this as a summer storm rolls over the city. So far it’s been a summer of extremes— heatwave followed by rain. As unpleasant as it’s been to be outside I’ve found myself busier than ever. There’s always so much happening in the summer, and I’m the first to exploit it. June is when we can sweat out our true selves. We are wilting in the sun and peeling ourselves back layer by layer to reveal an adventurous and juicy center. While it is true that one of the best things about summer is the way it accelerates us, there is so much magic to be seen when we slow down.
I’ve always been good at the little things. I’m content to spend the day with myself, to see something special in something common. I haven’t always been good at being happy with that though. There’s a constant comparison, especially in summer, that feels impossible to escape. Somebody is in Greece for two weeks and someone else is at a party with friends of friends. How can I possibly be happy with my joy of the day being biting into a perfectly ripe peach?
We all know FOMO is out to get us. This is a villain on par with big tobacco and it is targeting youths in your area. I know it’s getting bad for me when I get into this vicious cycle of notification checking. You open one app, refresh notifications, close, open another. Refresh, repeat, and while nothing is happening online you can’t help but look. While I’m stuck in this endless scroll I try to remind myself of all the unglamorous and wonderful things that I usually love. I am always going to love a slow Saturday with nowhere to be. I am always going to relish sleeping in and talking to nobody but my cat for hours. When FOMO darkens my doorway I can remind myself that right now there is a girl at the most fabulous party I can think of wishing she was in her pajamas in bed. I can pull the covers up tighter for both of us.
. ⋅ ♡ ‧ ₊ ˚ 〰. . ・゜ ゜ ・
July: Slowdown
Moving at a snail’s pace, taking what feels good, embracing boredom
Allow space in your schedule. I get excited when I look at my calendar and see plans every night of the week, but I also get sleepy! Just because you have nowhere to be doesn’t mean you have nothing to do. Make plans with yourself to rest and unwind so you can recharge your social battery.
Break up with efficiency. Sometimes I find myself trying to do a million things at once to cross them off my list faster (even the fun stuff!) Encourage yourself to take it one step at a time. It’s all about the journey, not just the destination.
Feel your way through summer. Being the observer has its benefits. When you find yourself in a summer situation, no matter how big, take a second to admire the sensory experience. There’s something precious about the sound of frogs singing at night, the smell of coconut and chemicals in your favorite sunscreen. Make sure you’re taking time to see beyond the big picture and appreciate the little details.
Be boring. I know it sounds like a fate worse than death, but what is a boring girl if not a girl who knows how to entertain herself? Skip the pregame and make a really involved recipe you’ve been wanting to try. Pick that book you’ve been trying to finish back up. Step outside and look at the stars and feel very small.
✩ Take your journal of choice on a date. Camp out and people watch and share your observations like you’re chatting with your closest friend.
✩ Start your day with soothing instrumentals. It’s good to let your brain wake up before you watch that 22 part TikTok series. I live for those jazz-bossa-nova-summer lofi-rain-experience-jazz-coffee-house videos on youtube. (here’s one to start your monday right!)
✩ Pretend it’s the 90s. Just like those obnoxious signs at cafes where they don’t want to give you the wifi! This could look like calling your friend to catch up instead of texting, reading on the train, or giving yourself permission to buy some vintage maxi skirts.
I am going into July with the incantation of June. I stood naked in the light of summer and I let the moths consume me. I lapped water from a clean blue pond and understood that I must always allow myself to drink deeply. I conducted a seance and cast my ghosts out into the night sky. Every misstep I’ve taken has brought me to exactly where I am today, and June has confirmed that for me. I have taken a magnifying glass to myself, and instead of squinting at the distortion I have had my vision clear.
I’m happy to say that I’ve also been writing more. It’s happening organically, and I don’t have to wait for the words to come. They’re simply coming and they’re spilling out into everything I do. There have been times when it’s more like pulling teeth, which makes me especially grateful for these times of surplus. I will continue to bear witness to myself and the world around me. I will think deep thoughts and commit the silly ones to memory. I will bite sweet and supple fruit and let the juice run down my arms.
⊹₊ june favorites ₊ ⊹
In the spirit of honoring the little things, I’d like to give a big shoutout to iced tea. This has been a June of Moroccan mint, Arnold Palmers, iced hibiscus, et al. Buying a little beverage on the go is one of life’s greatest gifts, and an iced tea is basically mandatory for making it through a New York City heatwave.
Speaking of heatwaves, I have recently made an extreme wardrobe pivot to beat the heat. I’m not the first to tell you this, but Old Navy makes extremely cute and affordable linen that doesn’t make you want to kill yourself the second you step outside. I am a skirt girl for life, and the shorts have been so good it may have permanently expanded my palette. Bonus shoutout to J. Crew for making equally cute and affordable boxer shorts that I can walk around 90° weather in.
I would be remiss if I did not mention Brat by Charli xcx. If you somehow have not yet listened your first lesson in slowing down is stopping what you’re doing and listening to the entire work, then the Lorde remix, and then the whole thing all over again.
I enjoyed yet another incredible class at RecCreate Collective, this time in visual journaling led by illustrator Jordan Sondler. Take a look at the previous keepsake Single Girl Syndrome for all the thoughts spawned from that.
Until next time I’m wishing you a very sweet and slow July.
xo, Julianna
Unfortunately this is all the advice I’m so good at giving and cannot take myself. Thank you for the beautiful reminder 🌼
really enjoyed this and the reminder to make time in my calendar for doing literally nothing