Every year, summer shows up with a list of things I should do. Travel more. Go out. Be social. Make the most of every single day. And honestly? That pressure wears me out before July even starts.
This time, I’m doing it differently. I don’t want to chase plans. I want to feel grounded. I want slower mornings, quiet nights, and small things that bring me peace.
Here are 20 simple, mindful summer ideas I’m trying this year—to feel lighter, calmer, and more like myself again.
Go on a Phone-Free Nature Walk
The day I left my phone at home for a walk, I noticed the small things, like beautiful flowers. It felt refreshing.
Try picking one trail, park, or path and walking with no distractions. Just notice what’s around you.
Internal link idea: Link to a blog post on grounding or outdoor self-care routines.
Start Your Mornings Outside
One morning, I brought my tea out to the steps. I didn’t even scroll. Just watched the sunrise. It changed my whole day.
Even five minutes outside can calm your mind before the day pulls you in. Try it before checking your phone.
Write One Sentence a Day in a Journal
Some days I write pages. Others, just one line. Either way, I feel lighter.
You don’t need pressure to journal deeply. Just one sentence can track how you’re feeling.
Pro tip: Use the same notebook all summer.
Try a New Plant-Based Summer Recipe
I once made grilled veggie skewers and felt like a genius. Eating lighter helps my mood and body.
Look up one new plant-based recipe to try each week. Keep it fun and low-pressure.
Have a Simple Sunset Picnic on Your Mindful Summer Bucket List
My favorite memory from last summer? Sitting on a blanket with grapes, water, and quiet. The sky turned soft orange.
It doesn’t have to be fancy. Just bring something simple to a park or backyard and sit.
I love this picnic blanket from Amazon you can check it out.
Listen to a Guided Meditation Under the Stars
I didn’t know I needed to lie under the stars until I did. With headphones in, I felt small in the best way.
Find a short mindfulness meditation and listen to it while you’re lying on your back outside
You may also like Mindfulness Meditation for beginners
Watch a Sunrise (No Camera, No Rush)
One summer morning, I woke up at 5 AM and just sat. No photos, no rush. Just quiet beauty.
Set your alarm once this month to sit and watch the sky change. Let it happen slowly.
Visit a Farmers Market and Talk to a Farmer
I smiled more in 15 minutes at the market than I had all week. People are kind when you slow down.
Ask one person where their food comes from. Let yourself connect. It’s grounding and humbling.
Declutter One Corner of Your Home
One shelf. That’s all I tackled. And it made me breathe easier.
Pick a drawer, shelf, or corner. Donate or toss what you don’t use. Summer is a good time to clear space.
Go a Day Without Social Media
I did this once by accident. It was the calmest I’d felt all month.
Try deleting the apps for a day. Notice how you feel. Replace it with a walk, a call, or music.
Make a Summer Soundtrack
Certain songs bring me back to the best moments. This summer, I made a playlist just for calm.
Make your own slow, soothing summer mix. Play it in the car or while making lunch.
Read a Book Just for Fun (Not Self-Help)
I love self-help books, but this summer, I needed fiction. Something that made me laugh or feel.
Pick a fun, light, or even nostalgic book. Let yourself enjoy it with no goal in mind.
Do Something Creative With Your Hands
Last year I tried watercolor. I wasn’t good at it—but I loved it.
Paint, bake, build something, or make bracelets. It’s about the process, not perfection.
Make a Summer Wish Jar
My friend and I wrote down things we wanted to try this summer—then folded them into a jar.
Write your bucket list ideas, fold them up, and pick one out when you feel bored or stuck.
Take Yourself on a Solo Date
I took myself to a bookstore and got iced coffee. No one else needed to approve.
Go somewhere alone and just enjoy your own company. A movie, art museum, or lunch out works great.
Do Nothing for 10 Minutes
No phone. No talking. No reading. Just being.
Set a timer and just sit somewhere quiet. You’ll be surprised how much your mind resets.
Keep a Simple Gratitude List
Every night I write three things I liked about the day. Even if they’re tiny.
Keep a sticky note or notebook just for this. It shifts your whole perspective over time.
Take a Cold Shower (Yes, Really)
It’s uncomfortable—but it woke me up like nothing else. And afterward? I felt fresh and alive.
Try it once. Just 30 seconds of cold water. It’s energizing and helps with mood.
Make Your Own Summer Ritual as Part of Your Bucket List
Every Sunday, I light a candle, play music, and clean up my room. It grounds me.
Make one ritual your own. It could be tea, stretching, organizing—anything that feels like a reset.
Say No to One Thing That Doesn’t Feel Right
I almost said yes to a BBQ I didn’t want to attend. Then I paused and said no. And I felt peace.
Protecting your peace is part of growth. This summer, practice saying no without guilt.
Just Let It Be Simple
You don’t need a packed schedule or big plans to feel like summer matters. These small things—quiet mornings, slower walks, one-sentence journaling—they help you return to yourself.
Let this be the season you feel more peace, not pressure. The kind of summer that leaves you rested, not worn out. Pick a few ideas from the list, go at your own pace, and let yourself just be for a while.
That’s real growth. And that’s more than enough.
