Hello, you. I feel like I’ve left you hanging. Ghosting you since the beginning of 2022. And here it is… July. The midpoint of the year and my first note to you in a very long while. I’ve thought about you, thought about how easy it would be to just send a quick little message, but I haven’t prioritized writing or blogging or posting. Life has been busy. But, more than that, it’s been emotional. And for these last 6 months I’ve found myself just wanting to live. Documenting and reflecting only for myself.
Full transparency… I do keep Instagram quite updated. I think it fuels my creative soul. Plus, I can always find time for photography. It’s like breathing to me.
I suppose there are a few reasons why I opened my computer, found my way back to Substack, and starting typing to you on this first Sunday in July:
I have one more week left before my 4 week vacation (Vacation times in Sweden are no joke. It’s the law to have weeks off) and I’m moving into rest mode. Which “frees” up time.
It’s the midpoint of the calendar year and my natural flow in rhythm with the seasons puts me into a reflective mood at this time of year. And what better way to reflect than with you?
I got an email from Substack saying that my subscribers, you, have not heard from me for over 5 months. And that was a wake up call. And I knew that it was time to send you a note.
And finally, I really have missed you. I think of you, truly, often. Wondering what I have to say or what I want to say to you. Struggling with how to balance these notes and my blog. Making it all waaaay more complicated in my head than it needs to be. Knowing that a quick hello would suffice. But, I have essentially “avoided” writing + communicating + creating simply because I haven’t created the time and space for it. Except for 1 blog post a few weeks ago.
But, that’s the past. I’m here now. And so are you. And I so hope that this note finds you well as you move deeper into the heart of summer (or winter).
July is a month that hangs in the balance. A time or waiting, of being in the in-between. A bit like the time that has passed between my last note + this one. Most in-between times, most of those moments where we find ourself hanging in the balance, are unwelcome ones, if we’re honest.
But, July is different.
Hanging in the suspended balance of this month feels gooooood. In fact, if you’re like me, you secretly with that time would stand still for a while. I just want the long, warm, bright nights to last. I want that carefree, slow, sultry, lazy feeling to go on for a while longer. But, as everything. The cycles of the season flow on. Still, July and the very beginning of August invite us to slow our pace to that of dripping wildflower honey, to soak up the long days in the hot sun, finding a sense of rest.
Right now, we’re between the summer solstice and the first harvest of August. We’ve passed the sun’s highest peak + the longest day of the year, but we can still linger in summer’s fullness. It is the perfect time of the year to lay on our beach towels, sit on our front porches, hang out in our backyards, fling open our windows, enjoy long nights on our balconies, lay in the grass, dip our toes in the sea, walk through the forest, wander the pavements of our towns… and simply rest, recharge, reconnect, and reflect.
How has 2022 unfolded for you so far? Lovely, challenging, a mix of it all? What have been the high points? The low points? The in-between moments?
If you have a lazy moment, pull out your journal or a piece of paper or make a note on your phone. And think about these things…
I so hope that you are doing well, my friend. And that this summer (or winter) will give you the medicine of rest that you need. I truly believe that following + aligning with the rhythms of the seasons, that dropping into the energy of the month, and living in close relation to the cycles of nature offers us a much more authentic, inspired, meaningful way of living through the ups, downs, and in-between times of life. Wherever we find ourselves right now is not where we will be tomorrow. Or even at the end of this note. Life continues its rhythms + cycles, constantly changing. And so do we. To drop into nature’s flow + rhythm gives a sense of deep peace and oneness that reminds us how unique and connected we all are.
Run wild, slow down, feel the sun, touch the trees, dive into the water, lay in the grass. This is the season of finding balance with nature and within ourselves.
I’ll be in touch soon, dear one. xoxo. liz.
A few summer tips:
A seasonal podcast I absolutely love. Listen to the summer solstice episode here.
Slow Burn podcast: Season 7 is amazingly informative and powerful - all about Roe v Wade. Listen here.
I just finished reading Where the Crawdad’s Sing. Haven’t read it yet? Do it! There’s also a movie coming this summer!
30 day affirmation challenge from Insight Timer. Try the link, but download the app! :)
My summer playlist. Click below to listen + subscribe.