How to Effortlessly Romanticize Summer Days

Summer is a season overflowing with opportunities. By intentionally choosing to romanticize summer, you can ensure the season is a memorable experience.

When you’re romanticizing, you’re taking the everyday moments and making them into something special. Instead of lamenting the heat, embrace the longer days and new energy that summer brings.

Before we begin to romanticize summer, indulge in a little daydreaming for the season. What do you want your summer to look and feel like? Creating a vision board is a wonderful way to map this out visually.
 

 
You can create a physical board with photos and magazine cutouts, or easily create a digital vision board using something like Pinterest.

Either way, you want to compile images and words that describe your summer aspirations. While it’s also useful to focus on the activities you want to do, also consider the feelings you want to embrace.

Summer can be a time for relaxing, or a time to be adventurous. It’s all about what the ideal summer is to you. Even if you have a lot of goals you want to achieve, don’t forget to include a bit of summer self-care in there too!

“al fresco” is Italian for “in the fresh (air)” It’s about doing your activities outdoors, most commonly dining, but you don’t have to limit your experience to only eating al fresco.

It’s good to be outside in the open air in a relaxed and casual atmosphere. Taking your meals outdoors can bring some whimsy into an otherwise ordinary activity. You could go full picnic and toss out a blanket over the grass, or you could just sit and eat a snack on a bench in the park.
 

 
Try taking your book outside with you to find a shady spot to read, or take a brisk walk while listening to an audio book. Nature can greatly enhance your reading experience.

Journaling can also be extremely peaceful when you write outside. Nature can be a calming environment for your reflections.

Use the changing of the seasons as an opportunity to transform your wardrobe. You can better embrace the sunny days with shorter sleeves and flip-flops. Summer is also a great time to brighten up your outfits with bold and vibrant colors. You’ll also want to take time to put away your heavier fabrics in exchange for lighter ones.

You’ll want to do the same thing with your bed sheets and linens – you can store away those heavy blankets for now and switch to lightweight breathable materials like cotton.
 

 
With the sun shining down more intensely, it’s a good time to invest in a new hat. Hats can be both practical and fashionable, protecting your face from the sun but also accessorizing your outfits. If hats aren’t really your thing, upgrade your sunglasses for a new look.

My personal favorite for effortless style would be sundresses. They’re easy to throw on, cool, comfortable and can be dressed up or down to fit most occasions. Take this as an opportunity to bring out your softer side this summer.
 

 
 

Make the most of the season by indulging in seasonal fruits and vegetables. Summer fruits include apples, blackberries, mangoes and strawberries. Summer vegetables include carrots, corn, green beans and zucchini.
 

 
Take a trip to your local farmer’s market to get the freshest selections. One of the easiest ways to enjoy your summer produce is by whipping up delicious and colorful smoothies.

Another summer staple is salad. Salads are great because they can be completely customized to suit your preferences. If you aren’t a fan of salads, it’s just that you haven’t found the right one yet!

As the temperatures continue to rise, the last thing you want to do is add to the heat by turning on your oven. That makes summer an ideal time to try some new no-bake recipes. Not only are they generally more easy to prepare, but they’ll also keep your kitchen cool.

Staying hydrated is crucial all year long, but especially during the hot summer months. We all know that we need to drink water, but it can just be so… boring. Only, it doesn’t have to be! There are several ways to get creative with your hydration.
 

 
Electrolyte powders don’t just replenish the minerals you lose through sweating, but they also come in a variety of flavors. If you’re looking for a more natural way to flavor your water, try adding some fresh fruits, or even herbs.

Another fun thing to try is getting creative with your ice. You can easily find molds to turn your ice into fun shapes, or freeze edible flowers in the inside. These fancy ice cubes add a touch of luxury to your normal glasses of water.

Don’t want to add anything to your water? Simply sip it from fancy glasses instead.

Romanticizing anything is about savoring each moment. One beautiful way to romanticize summer is through photography. Instead of worrying about posting curated pictures on social media, focus on capturing moments and experiences for yourself.
 

 
Take things a step further by getting your favorite shots printed. There’s just something special about holding a photo in your hands, instead of just having it live on the cloud. Your printed photos can be displayed in your home, framed, or stored away so you can cherish and revisit them for years to come. Video is another great way to capture and relive memories.

Just remember to not get too focused on capturing the great shot that you forget to truly be there in the moment. The best way to romanticize summer is to fully experience summer, not just record it.

Romanticize summer and enjoy the longer days by visiting your nearest beach. Few things scream summer more than a day at the beach. There’s just something about the salty breezes, crashing waves and sand between your toes.

You could simply soak up some sun (but don’t forget SPF!) swim in the water, build a sandcastle or just relax and enjoy the magic of summer.
 

 
If there’s no beach close by, try taking a trip to any waterfront you can. Lakes and rivers also offer serene summer settings. Boat rides, kayaking and canoeing are all great summer activities. As the sun begins to set, consider gathering around a cozy bonfire.

At night, scope out some summer constellations, or just enjoy the falling temperatures.

Summer isn’t all about rest and relaxation; it’s also about embracing the energy of the season! That’s why I want to talk about switching up your workouts.

To avoid the peak heat of the day, early mornings and late evenings are ideal for outside workouts. Moving to water-based activities is another way to avoid the heat, but still work on your fitness. Swimming and aqua aerobics are excellent low-impact exercises that can offer a fun break from traditional gym workouts.

If you can’t handle the heat, bring your workouts indoors. Not only do most gyms and fitness studios offer air conditioned rooms, you can easily do workouts from the comfort of your home. Turn up the fan and make it happen!
 

 

Youtube has a treasure trove of workouts that you can do from home that require little to no equipment or experience.

It’s never a bad time to shake up your routine and view things with fresh eyes. It can be easy to overlook what’s right under our noses. This summer, challenge yourself to explore your town like you’re a tourist.

Try to make a list of all of the different places in your area that you’ve never been to – this could be parks, cafes, food trucks, museums, or any sort of historical sites.

If you are already a pro on all the local spots, consider planning a road trip. Road trips provide a great opportunity to explore beyond your usual setting.
 

 
Plan a quick weekend getaway, or a longer trek if you can afford to. The freedom of the open road is synonymous with summertime fun. To make the most of your trip, map out your route and highlight anything that looks interesting along the way.

Make sure to pack snacks and create a road trip playlist before you hit the road. Whether you’re going solo, or with a group, a road trip offers a real summer sense of adventure.

By incorporating these practices into your routine, you can elevate your experiences and truly romanticize summer. The magic lies not in the big picture, but in those small intentional details.

These tips will help you make this season a summer to remember. Let me know which one speaks to you the most!