August To Dos

It is the first of August as I am writing this, and I had the idea of starting a little series at the beginning of every month to share a few gentle to-dos that encourage you to become more aligned with the season outside. When I think of August, I picture a sage green (I swear I must have synesthesia or something!), and I associate the month with a sense of calmness. I'm not sure if everyone can relate to this because, apparently, August is the busiest month for going on holiday. 

It's almost as if June is the wave coming in from the ocean, July is when you're swimming over the wave at its peak, and August is the gentle coming down of that wave. That is how I picture August. In this week's blog, I wanted to share a few to-do ideas to help you embrace the month of August for what it is. I'll also be documenting my own August over on my Instagram and TikTok.

Embrace Nature's Abundance

Take a closer look at the world around you and start observing the things that our everyday routines can so easily make us miss: a garden buzzing with bees, hedgerows full of blackberries, or that last moment of sunshine before sunset. This is August reminding us that there is beauty in appreciating what the earth is already offering us. This is probably the main reason why I love spending time in nature because, no matter what has happened during the day, nature is always there to humbly remind us how good it feels to be surrounded by such beauty.

Chase That Sunrise or Sunset!

I swear by early mornings, especially during the spring and summer months. I love waking up before the rest of the world and seeing everything in a different light. August is known for its warm, honey-coloured evenings. The sunlight becomes softer than in early summer, making everything feel nostalgic and dreamlike. So, the next time you have the chance, grab a blanket and a steaming mug of tea, sit outside, and watch the sunset while you can.

• 

Preserve a Summer Memory

I feel that August can be quite a reflective month, as many people naturally begin to look back on the summer. So maybe it is time to ask

yourself: What memories have I made this summer? What do I want to carry into autumn? Spend some time junk journalling with little treasures you have collected throughout the season. Maybe it's a cinema ticket, a letter from a pen pal, or some shells from the seaside. Now is the time to gather those small keepsakes before the summer season gently slips away.

Romanticise the Ordinary

I hope that by now you will have realised that August simply teaches us to rest before the busyness of September. Choose one everyday moment and make it feel special. Read beneath a tree, enjoy your morning tea in the garden, bake with fresh seasonal fruit, or light a candle as the evening cools. Slow living is rarely found in grand occasions; instead, it lives in the small rituals we return to again and again.

Welcome Autumn Gently

If you look closely, you can see little slips of autumn peeking into the season. Maybe you've noticed earlier sunsets, cooler mornings, the first leaves beginning to turn, or the heather blooming. That's when we know it is time to gently prepare for the 'ber months. Spend an afternoon organising your space, create an autumn playlist to soundtrack cosy evenings, begin planning your September TBR, or fill a journal page with all the little adventures and rituals you'd love to enjoy this autumn. By welcoming the season gently, you'll find yourself stepping into it with excitement, gratitude, and a little more intention.

Thank you so much for tuning back to my blog this week. Let this month be a gentle reminder for you to notice the beauty around you and you will slowly find that these things become the memories we treasure the most. As always, I will provide a weekly journal prompt for you to write and reflect on in your next journal entry:

Where in my life am I rushing, and how can I choose to move more slowly this August?

Also, if you'd like to bring a little more storytelling and seasonal living into your everyday life, you're always welcome to visit my Etsy shop. You'll find snail mail stories, stationery, candles, and other cosy treasures, all thoughtfully created to celebrate the magic of slow living and the changing seasons.  

Eleanor x