Slow Living May "To-Do" List

May Slow Living To-Do List: Embrace the Beauty of Seasonal Living in the English Countryside

May is a particularly beautiful month in the English countryside, a favourite of artists and poets. The air smells of blossom and freshly cut grass. Country roads lined with cow parsley, the warmth of sunshine on our faces, the first hot days of the year hinting at Summer, wearing our favourite sundresses... Life gets a little bit easier and a whole lot more beautiful.

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

May in the UK is a gateway to summer. By the end of this month, the sun won't be setting until 9 pm! The buds are swelling, the first roses appear, and it's time to plant courgettes and tomatoes. Life will get busier again with work in the garden, social events, and walks and hikes, taking advantage of the warm, long days.

In May, energy continues to rise and mature, and although the natural world is gaining speed, it's the perfect time to embrace slow, seasonal living and the art of being present. What better time to slow down our pace and observe the world up close, as it gets more beautiful each day?

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Below, I share my slow living "to-do" list, which I hope will inspire you this month to see beauty at every step and to savour the ordinary yet extraordinary days of May.

1. Go Outdoors

This has to be the first point - a lot is happening in nature this month. May borders on summer, and as we progress through it towards June, the countryside will be getting more abundant, and gardens will be ready to share their first produce. In the woods, the dawn chorus of birds peaks in early May, and trees will change colour from bright green to a deeper, darker shade. Closer to June, we’ll enjoy the first fresh strawberries of the year, and it will be time to forage elderflowers for syrups and cakes. 

Long, warm days are an invitation from Mother Nature to spend time outdoors - smell the flowers and soil, get your shoes muddy, and get caught in a warm May shower. 

2. Celebrate Beltane

Falling on the 1st of May, Beltane is an ancient Gaelic festival celebrating the beginning of Summer, fertility and the pastoral season. Honouring this sacred time is simple: go out, be in nature, cook with seasonal ingredients, and take a moment to contemplate and set intentions for the warm part of the year. Since Beltane is a fire festival, light a fire or our Wheel of the Year candle

3. Work in the Garden

The work in the garden has begun for good. Watering, weeding, feeding, sweeping... this will all pay off very soon, once our gardens are in bloom. We'll be able to sit with a cup of tea among the flowers and ripening vegetables, enjoying quiet moments, and admiring the fruits of our work.

The effort we put in now is worthwhile beyond just the produce - gardening is excellent for both body and mind. Even if you don't have much space - or no garden at all - there are still ways to embrace this hobby. I have successfully grown pumpkins and roses in large containers, and you can also have a mini herb garden on your kitchen windowsill.

4. Refresh Your Home

Our home is a reflection of who we are. I’m not talking about the level of cleanliness but the general style - the items we choose to decorate our homes with. Is it cosy, modern, slightly cluttered, full of vintage treasures or contemporary art?

In May, it’s time to bring greenery into your home and start preparing for Summer. Seasonal candles like “Cosy Cottage” or our refreshed “Summer in the Countryside” and rustic home decor add cosy cottage character even to modern homes and are perfect for refreshing your home for the season.

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5. Be a Little Bit Romantic

May is the month of love and romance. Apparently, along with April, it has the most mentions across classic British literature and art. In poetry, May is often used as a symbol of youth, beauty, and emotion. As the heart of Spring, it represents blooming, vitality and renewal.

It’s the perfect time to take out your sundresses and enjoy your femininity! Visit a whimsical tea room, treat yourself to afternoon tea, drink from pretty teacups, buy flowers, bake a beautiful cake or paint your toes. Let yourself be a little lighter and not so firmly grounded - after the slowness and heaviness of Winter, you deserve some whimsy in your life!

6. Seasonal Eating

In May, there’s an abundance of fresh produce, perfect for including in your cooking and baking. First strawberries of the year, elderflowers for syrups and cakes, new potatoes, asparagus and so much more! Visit farmers' markets or farm shops to see what’s available locally and include it in your meals - such a simple and delicious, yet healthy way to embrace seasonal living.

7. Act on Your Plans and Hopes from the Beginning of the Year

In May, the world speeds up - in a good way! Energy rises, gardens bloom, animals mate, and it’s time for us to be more active, too. Move your body, complete that DIY project you’ve been postponing, or begin a new hobby. You've got 6 months before late Autumn will have us all cosied up in our favourite armchairs, wrapped in a blanket with a book in our hands, so let's make the most of it! 

Let the heightened energy and intense growth all around you inspire action, and you may reap the first benefits when harvest arrives.

8. Enjoy Your Extra Days Off

Here in the UK, May means two long weekends. Most offices, banks, shops, post offices, etc., will be closed, giving many of us two long weekends in one month!

Do not over-plan this time. Use it to relax and be present with your family and friends, rather than ticking off long to-do lists and activities. A walk in the forest, cooking a delicious meal, baking or crafting with your kids or a family movie night is enough to make those weekends cosy and relaxing.

I know it’s tempting to create an itinerary packed with all the places you want to visit, but be realistic about your time and energy. Give yourself plenty of space to truly rest, both physically and mentally, on those days off.

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Watch My Most recent Vlog - Seasonal slow living, cosy homemaking & baking from the English countryside

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A few closing words

I hope your May will be filled with sunshine, natural beauty, and the cosiness of your home. Embrace your femininity and allow yourself to loosen up and relax. If you plan to work on new projects or hobbies, let your creativity and intuition guide you - you've got everything you need to succeed within you.

And of course, make sure to go outside as often as you can - there is no better way to embrace slow, seasonal living than being in nature, especially in May!

Adriana x