Following the colder months, the welcomed summer air starts speaking about freedom and brings with it a warmth and slowness that inspires a sense of calm in everyone it touches.

While each season offers its own unique brand of magic, summer seems to be extra thick with delighting in all things simple and light.

Below are a few ideas for creating small moments of joy this summer.

1. Host a simple outdoor dinner around a fire or with plenty of candlelight. It doesn’t have to be a complete dinner. Create a simple spread of veggies, olives, nuts, and fruit. Add a couple of different kinds of drinks to the mix for a hassle-free night under the stars.

2. Create a fun living space in your backyard. Gather a small mix of second-hand furniture. Cover a chair or two with a cozy blanket and hang a lantern nearby. You might end up spending more time outdoors than in.

3. Turn off the air conditioning. Open the windows. Tie the curtains back—and feel the soft, summer breeze—with all of its familiar, comforting scents—move through and around your living space.

4. Watch the sunset. Often. Allow the deep, unfiltered yellow and bright orange hues to cleanse away the day’s energy and lead you into the quiet, nighttime hours.

5. Bring in fresh-cut herbs or flowers from the backyard.

6. Pick wild berries. (Of course, make sure that you know what you’re picking and eating.) Wild blueberries, raspberries, and mulberries are all fun finds during a summertime stroll—and can be eaten right there on the path or collected to bake into a crisp, cobbler, or simply added to a bowl of ice cream.

7. Hang laundry outside to dry. The warm, summer air seems to impart a magical quality to clothing and bed sheets.

8. Slip off your shoes and spend time walking barefoot around the yard.

As we grow older and add more responsibilities to our daily mix, the things that we really love about life can feel distant. So regardless of what you enjoy or what your ideal summer looks like, take the time to embrace the little moments that make you smile. When we’re paying attention, there are always plenty of them around.

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Author: Carrie Ciula
Image: Rawpixel/Unsplash
Editor: Catherine Monkman
Copy Editor: Lieselle Davidson
Social Editor: Yoli Ramazzina