Embrace Slow Living This June: Nature, Joy & Reflection

Hello June! The first true Summer month, when the English countryside looks like a set from a fairytale book. The roses, in all colours and sizes, are blooming, and the trees begin turning deeper shades of green. We’re already halfway through the year - six months have flown by...

June is time to pay attention to the beauty of the natural world, taste the first homegrown strawberries but also reassess our Spring resolutions and consider what we would like the next six months to bring.

In the coming weeks, nature will be reaching its peak. Gardens will be abundant with fruits and vegetables and forest will be lush and thick with ferns and wildflowers. With the Summer Solstice marking the longest day of the year and the dominance of the sun, it’s the right time to celebrate this season of abundance.

On the 21st of June, we celebrate the Summer Solstice (also known as Litha in pagan tradition, or Midsummer) - the height of the solar cycle, marking the longest day and shortest night of the year. It’s also the official first day of Summer! From this point onward, the days will begin to shorten - very gradually - as we journey towards the Autumn Equinox, when day and night once again balance.

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

Here’s my June “Slow Living To-Do List” to help you embrace slow living this June, encouraging you see beauty in everyday life and find joy in the simple things.

 

1. Reflect on Your Year So Far

As half of the year is almost gone, June is an ideal time to sit down and reflect on the past six months. Take some time to assess your Spring or New Year’s goals. Have you achieved what you set out to do? Are there areas where you could improve or refocus? Be gentle when doing it. This reflection isn’t about judging yourself but rather understanding where you are and where you want to go. Think about your successes and areas for improvement. This practice can provide clarity and motivation for the second half of the year.

2. Embrace the Summer Solstice

Living in tune with nature is one of the easiest ways to practice slow living in your everyday life. This year’s Summer Solstice falls on the 21st of June 2025, the longest day of the year, and marks the official start of Summer. It’s a beautiful reminder of the abundance of the natural world and warmth. Celebrate this day by taking a walk in nature, lighting our Summer in the Countryside candle and cooking a meal using seasonal, locally grown vegetables. Use this day to connect with the natural world to feel more grounded and peaceful in everyday life.

3. Plant or Tend to Your Garden (Pumpkins!)

This activity is perfect for those who love gardening AND are looking forward to Autumn. If you already planted pumpkins indoors or in a greenhouse, now that the last danger of frost (at least in the UK) has passed, it’s time to plant them outdoors.

June is a fantastic month for gardening - growing your own plants can be incredibly rewarding. Gardening is a therapeutic activity that allows you to slow down and connect with the earth and seasons. Plus, you’ll have the pleasure of enjoying the fruits (and vegetables:) of your labour.

4. Enjoy Seasonal Foods

Talking about fruits and vegetables… Summer brings an abundance of fresh and delicious produce. Make the most of seasonal fruits and vegetables by using them for your meals and bakes. Visit local markets or farm shops and indulge in what Mother Nature has to offer at this time of the year. Eating seasonally not only benefits your health but also supports local farmers and national economy.

5. Disconnect from Technology

I know this is easier said than done, we are all so dependent on our phones and laptops. They are no longer just tools of entertainment: we use them to pay for our shopping, keep contact with our family, pay bills, book tickets and so much more. I am a big believer in the “attitude of gratitude”. I’m grateful for everything mobile phones and computers allow us to do, making our lives easier and connecting with people and communities that matter to us the most.

As with all good things, it’s easy to overdo it. This June, make a conscious effort to disconnect for a little while and give yourself a mental break. Instead of staring at the screen of your phone or TV, go for a walk and touch the grass.

Cosy up this Summer with our natural wax candles made in Somerset, UK. Shop our scents inspired by the English Countryside HERE

6. Explore Your Local Area

Travelling is good for the soul, but you don’t need to travel far... I love discovering new places in my area of the southwest of England. Medieval villages, historic churches, cute tea rooms, old bookstores and areas of outstanding natural beauty - a lifetime is not enough to visit them all. I also love researching these places online and learning about their history and interesting facts about them.

This June, I encourage you to explore the hidden gems in your local area. Visit nearby parks, nature reserves or historical sites. Take a day trip to a neighbouring town or city. Exploring locally not only supports your community but also helps you appreciate the beauty and history of your surroundings.

7. Organise a picnic

In June, we celebrate National Picnic Week (June 16–22). If you don’t fancy a big spread in a busy park, do what my husband and I often do - just pack a simple sandwich and enjoy it in a quiet spot somewhere in the countryside, ideally alongside someone you really like spending time with.

8. Practice Gratitude

In June, there is a lot to be grateful for. We’ve made it through the coldest part of the year and now we’re heading into a few months of warm weather and sunshine. Without heavy coats and cold gusts of wind in our faces, life gets easier - and a whole lot more beautiful.

Gratitude is a beautiful practice that can add to your overall happiness. Each day in June, take a moment to reflect on what you’re grateful for. It could be something as simple as a sunny day, a kind gesture from a friend or a delicious meal. Keeping a gratitude journal can be an easy way to document and remind yourself of the positive aspects of your life.

Things to be grateful for in June:

- The return of warmth
- Pretty dresses
- Light clothes
- Flowers blooming in gardens and in the wild
- Sunny days
- Rainy days
- Fresh fruit and vegetables
- The smell of the forest
- Long evenings
- Not spending money on heating

The list goes on - what are you grateful for this June?

9. Set Intentions for the Rest of the Year

With six months behind us, June is a perfect time to set intentions for the remainder of the year. Think about what you want to achieve and how you want to feel by the end of the year.

When setting your intentions, keep in mind that in our modern, western world, the second part of the year is usually busier, with the last four months of the year (aka the BER months) being filled with celebrations and festivities. Overdoing it and promising yourself too much during this busy (and for some people also stressful) period is a recipe for disappointment. Set clear, realistic intentions that will help guide your actions and decisions, making it easier to stay on track for the rest of the year.

10. Plan a Summerween Celebration

I know my audience well and I realise that many of you struggle during Summer. If celebrating the Summer Solstice isn’t your thing and you much prefer Autumn and its festivities, this day can be an occasion to celebrate Summerween. It’s a fun way to enjoy the spooky vibes of Halloween in the midst of Summer. Decorate your home with a mix of Summer and Halloween decorations, read a spooky book, or watch a movie, bake a cake with cinnamon and light one of our Autumn and pumpkin candles. It’s a delightful way to blend the joy of Summer with the excitement of Autumn.

Our Fall & Halloween candle collection is available all year round, so you can get your Autumn treat whenever you need it! Shop our cosy, natural wax candles here!

A few closing words

I hope this June will be filled with peaceful walks, cosy moments at home, delicious bakes, and good times with your friends and family. From next month, the days will already begin to slowly shorten, and farmers around the country will be preparing for the first harvest of the year - so let’s savour the balmy evenings and the carefree, light energy of June while it lasts.

Adriana x