May Slow Living "To-Do" List
1 comments
May Slow Living To-Do List: Embrace the Beauty of Seasonal Living
May is a romantic and picturesque month when the English countryside 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 May, the sun won't be setting until 9pm! In my garden, the buds are swelling on the roses 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 and long days.
In May, nature is unfolding, and although it’s gaining speed, it's the perfect time to embrace slow, seasonal living and being present. What better time to slow down our pace and observe the world up close, as it gets more beautiful each day?
Below, I share my slow living "to-do" list that will hopefully inspire you this month to see beauty at every step and encourage you to savour the ordinary yet extraordinary days of May.
Watch My Most recent Vlog - Seasonal slow living, cosy homemaking & baking from the English countryside
1. Go Outdoors
This has to be the first point this month. May borders with Summer and as we progress through it towards June, the beauty of the natural world will be unfolding before our eyes. Trees will change colour from bright green to a deeper, more mature 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 or even get caught in a warm May shower.
2. 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 enjoy quiet moments, admiring the fruits of our work or picking fresh vegetables.
The work we put in now is even more worthwhile because 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 garden. I have successfully grown pumpkins and roses in large containers and you can also have a mini herb garden on your kitchen windowsill.
3. 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?
I like my home to reflect the seasons and be a cosy haven for my family and myself. I recently wrote a blog post about decorating my home for May - check it out here.
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”, cute cabbage jars and bowls, vases for flowers, wreaths and rustic elements that add cosy cottage character are perfect for refreshing your home for the season.
4. Be a Little Bit Romantic
May is the month of love and romanticism. 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 read (and watch) Pride and Prejudice.
Let yourself be a little lighter and not so firmly grounded - after the slowness and heaviness of Winter, you deserve it!
5. Seasonal Eating
In May, there’s an abundance of fresh produce that I encourage you to include 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 to see what’s available locally and include it in your meals - such a simple way to embrace seasonal living.
6. Act on Your Plans and Hopes from the Beginning of the Year
In May, the world speeds up - in a good way! 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, begin a new work project or hobby.
Let the heightened energy and intense growth all around you inspire action.
7. 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 four-day weekends in one month!
I encourage you not to 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.
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.
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!
Adriana x
Shop "Quiet Moments" Coconut candle hand poured in our Somerset studio
