☀️ Leaning Into the Warmth

I am so ready for the summer.

I’ve always lived in areas where weather is not a straight line. One day it’s sunny, the next I need a jacket, and then I’m back in sandals! It’s unpredictable. But a few weeks ago, I saw this beautiful tree in full bloom, and that was it. My unofficial signal that summer was near. Something in me shifted. I got excited, not just for warm weather but for what the season represents.

The Unofficial Start

While the calendar says summer officially begins on June 20, but many considered Memorial Day or the last day of school as the unofficial signs that summer is here. From that point on, everything feels lighter. Not just the clothes, but the energy, the pace, even the meals.

More Than Sunshine

This year, I want to do more than enjoy summer. I want to embrace it.

And not just the warmth from the sun. I’m thinking about emotional warmth. The kind that shows up in relationships that feel safe, moments that ground me, and experiences that help me reconnect with myself.

Just a few days ago, I was making plans with friends that included trying new restaurants, checking out a comedy club, and listening to live jazz. These are the kinds of moments that make summer feel full and connected. My son is home from college now, and I’m looking forward to spending time with him, doing things he enjoys, and letting that shared time shape our rhythm as a family.

Slow, Intentional Travel

Part of that for me includes travel. But not the kind that leaves me feeling more tired than before I left. I’m craving slow travel. Days without packed schedules. Afternoons that stretch without pressure. I want to go places where I can breathe, explore at my own pace, and take in each moment. Whether it’s a weekend at my sister's house, a road trip with no agenda, international travel, or a staycation with a different rhythm, I want the journey to feel just as peaceful as the destination.

Choosing to Slow Down

It’s easy to rush through summer, filling every weekend, making lots of plans, and trying to fit everything in. But I’ve realized that when I slow down, I notice more. I feel more. And that’s where the warmth lives. Not just in the rising temperatures, but in the little details I would have missed if I wasn’t paying attention.

What I’m Saying Yes To

This summer, I’m saying yes to things that bring ease, connection, and joy:

• Starting the day slowly instead of rushing into it

• Spending time with people who feel like sunshine

• Resting without guilt

• Listening to music that makes me feel free

• Laughing loudly and freely

• Being proud of how far I’ve come, even if I’m not “there” yet

A Summer That Feels Like Me

I’m not trying to chase the "perfect" summer. I’m trying to feel the one I have. Whether that means dancing barefoot in the kitchen, sitting on the porch with nothing to do, or taking a slow trip somewhere new, I’m all in for it.

The season is beautiful. But the real beauty is in how I show up for it.

So yes, I’m ready for the summer. And more importantly, I’m ready to embrace the warmth in every way it shows up.

What about you?

〰️〰️〰️〰️ 

Stacey Montgomery
Founder, Stacey M Design Inc.

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