2 Easy Steps to Fix the Summer Doldrums

☀️ Hint: the power of Outside Time (with a Lazy Picnic) and Low Cost Lil' Luxuries

Welcome to the Seasonalist, a happy place to land, where you’ll find all things seasonal and seasonal-adjacent (books, movies, food, and fun) from Austin, Texas. If you’d like to subscribe, click below.

The Seasonalist gazing upon verdure, pourover coffee into my seasonal mug, crinkle cut carrots (the joy!) and a teeny tiny berry on cake.

“To sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment.” – Jane Austen¹

There’s no such thing as a perfect summer, but there can be an ideal summer day.² And that’s enough to get us through the endless heat.

We’re all lacking something this summer, whether it’s time (due to work, obligations, or over-scheduling) or money. We cope by scrolling and consuming, but there’s a better way to reset your brain.

On Monday, our extended family spent the entire day at Blue Hole in Wimberly, Texas. Swimsuits on, picnics and chairs packed, we met up and camped out for an afternoon under the shade of the live oaks and swam in the cold creek. Those brave enough jumped off the rope swings (believe it or not—me). We used phones for picture-taking, zero scrolling. Everyone in our group was under various stresses—whether it was work, moving, illness, financial stuff, or recovery. We all were restored to zen by one magical day outdoors with each other.

Cost? Almost nothing.³

I realize these pics are blurry and I’m here for it (easy privacy for family members)

Last night when I reflected on my day, my joy highlights were:

• watching my boys and my nephew interacting as adults

• seeing my nephew mature into an amazing adult (training as a firefighter in Colorado—he’s had a long winding road)

• floating in the cold creek on my donut tube under the trees

• sharing snacks and food

• laughing with each other

• getting outside of our comfort zone (me jumping off the rope swing)

• watching everyone acting like kids again (ages: 19-69)

Per usual, “scrolling the internet” didn’t make the list.

So wait, summer isn’t about the grand vacation to Europe with the poses and the photo dumps (not pictured: crowds, heat, angry locals)?⁴ Is summer about the little things and just being with our people?

I was so restored by the outdoor picnic and swim that I’m setting up two more outings this summer (Deep Eddy & Barton Springs for sure, right locals?) and one when I’m in the Bay Area this summer.

🧺 The Seasonalist’s Outdoor Picnic Starter Kit for Success

• Giant tote (this thing holds ALL)

• Outdoor blanket

• Turkish towels that double as picnic table coverings⁵

• Outdoor chairs

• Cooler tote bag

• Hats & sunblock

• Paper plates/napkins

• Water bottles

• Lazy Picnic menu provided by…Costco (sandwich roll-ups, tiny cookies, Boulder Canyon chips, nectarines, and blueberries.

Usual unaesthetic Seasonalist pic—a Real Life car trunk shot!

*I have owned all of these items…forever. The paper plates/napkins are not the environmental choice, but I’m not messing around with plates and dishes at a picnic.

Now not every day is a picnic (hahaha, see what I did there). Sometimes you have to dig deep on an ordinary day to lift your spirits.

When I’m blue or just not having it with this infernal heat, I have a few tricks up my sleeve for day-to-day delights.

💕 The Seasonalist’s Lil’ Summer Luxuries

How I slightly elevate my life in the summer.

• My daily pour over coffee ritual

• Drinking sparkling water out of a wineglass

• Wear a nice outfit

• Using my crinkle cutter⁶ for carrots (so snazzy—and no slimy mini carrots)

• Picking up my library holds (FREE BOOKS)

• Have tea in a cup and saucer

• Buying slightly fancier butter & keeping it in a butter dish

• Fresh sourdough bread & making toast. With the slightly fancier butter.

• Going to the movies on Tuesdays when it’s only $7

• My new junk journal hobby⁷

• Add tiny berries to everything

• Freshly grated parmesan (makes me feel bougie)

• Setting the table with a tablecloth

• Throw a sweater over the shoulder like this

• Taking a candlelit cold shower, wearing a pajama set, and wrapping my hair in my turbietwist (one of my top 20 possessions)

• Having a TV in the bedroom and watching a show at night (I know the world is split on a TV in the bedroom—I love it)

What are your Lazy Picnic Tips & Lil’ Summer Luxuries?

💗 May you carve a tiny bit of time for a picnic and some little luxuries this summer.

1. If you’re like me and were like “What the F is verdure?”—it means lush, green vegetation per the Dictionary.

2. Almost perfect. The husband was bitten by a fire ant.

3. We have a family member that works there and received a few “perks” but admission is normally $12 for adults, $8 for children.

4. We have absolutely done said Europe trip.

5. For when the birds 💩 all over the table.

6. From Pampered Chef back in the day.

7. More on junk journaling soon. I just started.