You Don’t Have to Do It All This Summer

Rachel Marie
May 19
3 min read

Journaling on the beach is a great way to slow down and reflect.

I’ve been feeling it lately—that familiar little voice urging me to hurry up and do more.

More plans. More summer memories. More progress on my book. And somehow, more relaxation—as if those are things you can cram onto a to-do list. Maybe you’ve felt it too? That invisible pressure to make the most of summer.

It shows up in calendar reminders, Instagram highlights, and even in creative sparks that whisper, “Write this down before it disappears!”

Finding Joy in the Pause

As someone who treasures the warmth of summer—especially after our long Minnesota winters—I often fall into the trap of trying to squeeze out every last drop of sunshine and magic.

But lately, I’ve realized something: the best parts of summer aren’t found in the hustle. They’re found in the pause. In the quiet moment of watching the birds hop across the backyard. In the feel of warm sand under bare feet. In the surprise of a handwritten card arriving in the mail, reminding me I’m loved. These small, slow moments are the season. We don’t need to chase more—we just need to notice what’s already here.

A Slower Approach to Creativity

As a writer, I’ve even started approaching my creativity differently. Instead of frantically typing on my laptop when inspiration hits, I’ve started working on parts of my book by hand.

There’s something grounding about pen and paper—something exploratory. When I write by hand, I don’t feel the pressure to craft the perfect sentence. I feel like I’m wandering through my thoughts instead of rushing to the finish line. I can't just check my email real quick or get sucked into a social media rabbit hole. Just me, a notebook, and the rhythm of my words. I have a special journal dedicated solely to my book work. It’s portable, low-tech, and always ready. And when I’m especially stuck, it’s where I go to ask questions, free-write, and get unstuck.

I hope this journal becomes a reflection of the journey, not just a container for ideas, but a reminder that the process matters. That slowing down can actually help us go deeper.

How to Use Journaling to Savor the Season

You don’t need to be a writer to keep a journal. You just need a willingness to be present. To explore. To let go of perfection.

I hear from people all the time: “I don't want to ruin my beautiful journal?” “My handwriting’s too messy.” “I don’t know what to write.”

Let me say this as lovingly as possible: You cannot ruin a journal. Your handwriting, your thoughts, your scratches and crossings-out—they’re all part of the story. Your story.

And if you’re looking for a place to start, here are a few simple, beautiful ways to journal your way through summer:

✨ Try This: Journal Prompts for a Slower Summer

📝 Make a summer joy list Write down the small things that make you smile—cold drinks, sun-warmed skin, the sound of cicadas, spontaneous adventures. Capture those fleeting delights.

🌼 Create a summer bucket list (with grace) This isn’t about pressure or perfection. Jot down a few dreams for the season—whether you get to all of them or not, the list itself is an invitation to wonder.

📖 Keep a daily reflection log At the end of the day, write 3 things: what you noticed, what you felt, and one tiny win (even if it was “I wore sunscreen”).

💭 Ask yourself gentle questions Feeling overwhelmed? Use your journal to explore: Where am I rushing? What would it look like to slow down? What do I want more of?

🎨 Make your journal your own Sketch, collage, write song lyrics, paste in ticket stubs. Your journal is yours. Press flowers from your garden. Let it be messy, magical, and totally honest.

→ Browse my hand-illustrated journals intended for slow living and creative reflection.