Many people have told me that instead of summer days during the last few years having a holiday feel, they seem to be hurtling past. There used to be something about the season that made time slow down and feel more luxurious, even with work and a full to do list. Now, not so much.

Are you missing that holiday feeling summers once had too?

It is more than just the unseasonable weather many of us are experiencing, there is a real sense that those lazy, crazy days of summer Nat King Cole used to sing about only exist in the past.

But how can you reclaim your summer? Well, I am here to tell you that it is easier than you might think and it does not have to cost a lot of money either! Here are some easy ways to reclaim your summer and recapture that relaxed, abundant, summertime feeling you remember from years gone by. 

10 Ways To Reclaim Your Summer

1. If you have a garden or a front step, drink your first hot drink of the day outside. If not, sit or stand by a window and allow yourself some time to, in the words of poet William Henry Davies, “stand and stare”. This is one of the best ways I know to reclaim your summer.
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2. Make your favourite sandwich or summer salad and take it to the park for an alfresco lunch. Or spread a blanket under a tree in your garden and enjoy your lunch there. 
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3. Take a walk somewhere beautiful, not too far from where you live. Even 20 minutes can be incredibly restorative. If you can, meet up with a friend and have a bit of a catch up as you walk. Or have a ‘walk and talk’ on the phone with a faraway friend.
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4. Looking into local summer events is an excellent way to reclaim your summer and feel a part of your community too. My husband and I always enjoy a day at the Henley Regatta and summer nights at The Henley Festival. Local fairs, fêtes and open gardens can be a wonderful way to spend an afternoon.
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5. Read a book for half an hour, under a tree in the sunshine or in the cosiest corner you can find on a rainy day.
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6. Go somewhere nearby that you have always meant to visit. Most of us have places not far from us that we just never “get round to” visiting. Now is the time! For example, Jane Austen’s house is less than an hour from mine but I cannot tell you how many years it took me to ‘get round to’ visiting!
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7. Get lost in a friendly bookstore for an hour or so on a rainy day. 
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8. Treat yourself to a drink in a local café or deli. Pause and take a few minutes just to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea or a cold drink. This is particularly effective when you are rushing around or running errands. Pausing and spending some time in the moment is such a wonderful way to reclaim your summer.
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9. Invite a friend round for a cup of tea or coffee and some friendly conversation. Or host an impromptu afternoon tea – which can be as simple as tea and some cookies or scones.
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10. Try a new recipe, just for fun. Whether it is a delicious treat or a slow cooker sensation (perfect for busy days and keeping the kitchen cool), I have some great recipes for you!

I’m just off to have a lovely cold drink in the garden before I head off on a little adventure. How will you reclaim your summer?

Photos by Terry Joshi Images
Styling by Sarah van Dort
Hair and Makeup Ali Oswald