Slow Living in August: Celebrating Harvest and Preparing for Autumn

August in the countryside is simply beautiful - warm days, golden fields, ripe brambles, long shadows, the first fallen leaves and a nibble of chill in the morning and evening air, whispering of the coming Autumn...

August borders Autumn - it's a month of change and the transformation of the season becomes visible as the month progresses. After the Summer solstice, the days begin to shorten. Our ancestors were busy preparing for the colder months ahead as in early August, the harvest season begins.
 
Thankfully, in our modern world, our survival no longer depends on how much food or wood we manage to gather, but the shortening days and gentle chill remind us that, after all, we humans are part of nature too. Although safe in our homes, we too should prepare for the darker part of the year.

My mum is a walking treasury of old Polish sayings and beliefs she learned from her mother and grandmother. I remarked how chilly the evening feels and that I perhaps should put a cardigan on, to which my mum replied with an old Polish saying, "Od Świętej Anki, chłodne wieczory i poranki." It roughly translates to

"After St. Anna's Day,
cold are the dusks and dawns."

St. Anna's Day is celebrated on the 26th of July and it reminds us that Summer is slowly ending and we are approaching Autumn. My family has deep roots in farming (my grandparents on my mum's side used to own farming land and animals) and any traditions close to the farming calendar are well preserved within the family. I try to make notes and remember as much as possible from the stories and wisdom my mum shares with me.

As August progresses, the whispers of changing seasons will become clearer and I think this is where the beauty of August truly lies - in the anticipation of change. A month of golden sunsets, long shadows, aromatic herbs and ripening tomatoes in our gardens - the last month before children begin new schools, trees start to loose leaves and our kitchens smell of cinnamon and pumpkin spice again.

Explore my slow living to-do lists for each month of the year here

Writing this month's slow living to-do list feels quite emotional, I can't believe in only a month's time children will be going back to classrooms and we will be decorating our homes for Autumn. This is the last month before I dive deep into Autumn content, followed closely by Christmas festivities. But let's stay in the present - I have much love for August and I'm glad I can share with you my slow living to-do list for this month.

1. Celebrate the Harvest Season

August marks the beginning of the harvest - a time when the fields of the English countryside turn golden. On the 1st of August falls Lammas - the first of the harvest festivals on the Wheel of the Year, a nature-based calendar that marks important solar events and cross-quarter days. Our ancestors celebrated it by baking bread from the first crops of the year.

You can join this ancient tradition and bake bread. Try some of my favourite easy bread recipes I shared in this post. If you're not a keen baker, you can visit your bakery or local farm shop and choose some lovely, artisan bread or pastries. This way, you not only get to treat yourself to some delicious, freshly baked goods but also support a local business and your country's economy.

2. Enjoy the Last Long Days

After the Summer Solstice - the longest day and shortest night of the year - the sun starts waning. Although it's still high and mighty, the slow descent has begun. Days are gradually getting shorter, only a few minutes per 24 hours, but the change is noticeable.

Dusk comes a little earlier and while the days are still relatively long, make the most of the lingering Summer light. Go for evening walks to enjoy the countryside in the golden hour when the light is soft and warm, casting long shadows over the landscape. These walks are perfect for reflecting on the bounty of nature and the transitions we get to witness. Notice the changes in the fields, the first hints of Autumn colours in the trees and the cooler breezes that signals that the new season is coming.

3. Prepare for the Colder Months

August is a time of preparation, just as it has been for centuries. My great-grandfather would famously send the whole family to work in the fields and garden, including his three daughters (not that keen on farming work;) to help with harvesting fruits and vegetables for Autumn and Winter.

August is a month of anticipation, but not just passive waiting. Begin to ready your home for the cooler months ahead. This can be decluttering, cleaning and organising (I have so much to do in the new house before Autumn arrives...). Begin planning your Autumn decorations and start shopping around for the first touches of cosy decor like our cosy harvest-inspired and Autumnal candles to light up in the evenings as we draw nearer and nearer to Autumn.

I chose “Sweater Weather” candle for this post because we went for a walk to pick blackberries this morning and it was actually so cold and windy! I should’ve worn a much thicker sweater instead of the cardigan - the winds of Autumn are already on their way...

Below: Our rustic home decor, inspired by the cosiness of country cottages. Find it here

Ideas for Harvest and Early Autumn Decor

- Sunflowers (fresh or artificial)
- Dried wheat (wreaths, bouquets)
- Rustic vases and trinkets
- Pictures and figures of farm sales and trucks
- Butternut squashes, red apples, peaches
- Jam jars in the kitchen
- Wooden or wicker baskets
- Lightweight blankets
- "Farmhouse", Wild Bramble, "Cosy & Warm" candles and many more 

These acts of preparation not only make your home ready for Autumn but also mentally prepare you for the shift in seasons.

4. Seasonal Produce

Local markets offer lots of seasonal produce in August. From cherries, tomatoes and cucumbers to the first apples of the year and sunflower bouquets. Visit a local farm shop for the ultimate Hallmark movie vibes, support local businesses and use these ingredients to cook nourishing meals inspired by the season. Cooking and eating seasonally is a big part of slow living, helping us to create a connection to the seasons and natural cycles.

In our family, August is still dominated by lighter meals, as the days remain too warm for heavy, rich dishes. But I’ll definitely start including more squashes and root vegetables in our cooking. I’ll also make a batch of pizza sauce, as we love homemade pizza during the colder months.

5. Reflect and be Grateful

As the light (and year) begins to wane, August offers a natural pause for reflection. Take some time to think about the past few months. What have you learned? What are you grateful for? I believe that the time of harvest is one of the most natural times for us, humans, to express our gratitude for the privileges we so often take for granted - things like food, a roof over our heads, the safety of our home and the cosy glow of your favourite candle <3

6. Walk the Countryside

The English countryside is enchanting in August. The combination of lush greenery and the first, tiniest signs of Autumn is what I love about this month. Somerset is known for its orchards that in August are alive, with trees heaving under the weight of green apples that will start turning red in the coming weeks and months, ready to be turned into jams, compotes and ciders.

Another lovely idea for August is to visit sunflower fields - use Google to find one close to your home and enjoy the spectacular view of a field full of sunflowers in bloom.

Ideas for Late Summer / August Nature Activities

- Visit an orchard.
- Look out for the last foxgloves of the year.
- Feed your pumpkins.
- Visit a sunflower field.
- Go for countyside walks.
- Spot the first fallen leaves and the treetops beginning to change colour.

7. Prepare for School & the 'Back to Hogwarts' Vibe

I know many of my readers have children, so you will be shopping and preparing for the new school year at the end of August. Even if you don’t have children or they are already grown-ups, there’s something magical about the back-to-school season. 

As a Potterhead, late August and early September will forever be the 'Back to Hogwarts' time for me. I’ll be rewatching the Harry Potter movies and going book shopping at the end of August, because there’s something magical about stepping into a bookstore just before September arrives, no matter how old you are:) The end of this month is a lovely time to finish any Summery books and start picking up your September reads.

A Few Closing Words

August is a month where change begins. It's a time to notice the waning of the sun and to start preparing for the cooler, darker months ahead. It's a perfect month for those practising slow living (though, in all fairness, aren’t all months perfect and special in their own way?). The changes in nature, especially at the beginning of the month are still so gentle that they require us to slow down in order to truly notice them. As we gradually shift our minds toward Autumn, let’s be grateful for the abundance of Summer and look forward to the cosy, quiet months that lie ahead.

Adriana x