6 Weeks to Autumn: Midsummer Reflection & Intentions

The dog days of midsummer are here, when intense growth slows, gives way to maturation, and the forest becomes quiet. In the coming weeks, the first touches of a cooler breeze in the morning and night air and shortening daylight will speed up the ripening of fruits and vegetables in the gardens, but that’s in August. For now, there is a sense of stillness and fulfilment in nature, making it a perfect moment to pause and reflect on our own plans and goals.

📅 Saturday, July 18th, 2026
6 weeks until Autumn!

Earlier in the year, many of us set more or less specific intentions. Midsummer seems like the right time to pause after the intense period of growth in Spring and early Summer. Before the busy harvest period arrives, it’s a perfect time to slow down, catch your breath, and take a moment to re-evaluate your goals and where you’re heading in the second half of the year. 

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Assess Your Spring Intentions

Some of your spring plans might already be bearing fruit, but other things that felt urgent in spring might not be as important now. Why is that? Be honest with yourself; nobody else hears your thoughts. What went well? Which plans have you followed through on? And what was abandoned before the seed even had a chance to sprout? It’s important to note the “failed” plans too, so you don’t keep repeating the same cycle every year of planning and giving up shortly after. It’s not worth your energy, and understanding this cycle will be an important step to fixing it.

Moving Forward

Consider what in your life drains your energy the most. In Autumn, trees draw water back to their roots, and you should also consider which habits and routines you want to adjust in time for Autumn to nourish you, help you preserve energy, and support a restful Autumn, just like trees do. 

Set the Mood

Consider how you want to feel over the next six months. I said feel, as the dark months are much less about goal-setting, achieving, and growth, and much more about looking inwards and resting. We’re not talking about starting over, setting brand-new goals, but refining direction before the year tips toward autumn.

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Two-Month Plan to Close Summer Affairs

This is something I do every year, mid-summer, and I want to share it with you, too. Since we’re already heading towards August, we really have maybe about two months of still fairly good weather and decently long days. Mid-September, it usualy gets colder and darker, and that’s when my energy starts to feel calmer. I’ve mentioned before that I get very creative in Autumn, but it’s kind of a “bunker down” kind of vibe when I get comfortable in my writing spot with a candle and tea and get on with putting my thoughts on paper (or screen, to be more precise), not the DIY home improvement kind of creativity.

Take time to consider what summer affairs you’d like to close by early September. Any home renovations, challenging hikes, difficult conversations or long-term art projects. Even unread books and half-open jars in your fridge. Try to close up some of the things, so they don’t hang above your head in Autumn, taking precious mental space and stealing your peace, so you can begin fresh in September. 

A few closing words

I’ve read somewhere that midsummer feels like a year has held its breath for a moment, and I love it. In my book, Slow Living for Modern Women - the life-changing guide to reconnect with nature and self, we talk more about how the seasons are reflected in the world around us, including breath, where the breath in with a full chest represents summer. The season’s fullness and abundance also give us a brief pause to appreciate all this beauty and richness before harvest begins. It feels like a natural time to summarise the first half of the year, draw lessons from it, and set the tone for the rest of the year. 

Thank you for reading, until next week,
Adriana x