U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach. About as summer as you can get in Southern California.
The summer solstice has come and went. Which means it’s officially summer! Even if the daylight is slowly decreasing. “Sad face” since I don’t think emojis are appropriate for a professional blog post. And I don’t know how to insert one on my computer.
Even if our longest day of the year has passed for this 2019, that doesn’t mean celebrating these warm months should end. So here are my summer seasonal hygge suggestions to accompany the spring, winter, and autumn suggestions of the past year.
Get Outdoors
Of course I was going there. Might as well get it out of the way. Every suggestion I have on here has involves being outside so we’ll just leave it at that. You know what to do. And if you can’t get outdoors or it just really isn’t your thing (In which case I love that you’re reading this anyway.), open up the windows and doors and let some fresh summer breezes in.
Outdoor Festivals and Other Events
A summer music festival at Grand Park in Los Angeles, CA.
I lived for summer festivals as a kid! It was the only time of year something different happened in my tiny little village and the neighboring communities. This totally fed into my obsession with the outdoors, good times, and adventure. In the summer there’s something for everyone: music festivals, food festivals, beverage festivals, carnivals, county fairs, movies in the park, outdoor concerts. Get on out there with your faves, meet some new ones, and have a darned good time. Or enjoy on your own. And if you’re an advanced festival goer here are some unique ones to add to your list.
Roadtrip
Perhaps to one of the festivals listed above. There’s no better time to get into a vehicle and see the sites. Unless you’re going through the desert and your air conditioning breaks… maybe that’s happened to me before. But if not everywhere has something cool going on, people are happier, and the weather is warm. Or even if it’s not it’s warmer than the rest of the year. The perfect time to explore new places.
Camping
I love sleeping under the stars. As a child until I left for college, I spent nearly every summer night camped out in a tent in my backyard (or somewhere else). As an adult I talked roommates and neighbors into having a backyard campout. And I’m still in negotiations with the bf on this one. “We pay a lot of money to sleep in an enclosed structure!” Good point. But there’s just something so comforting and relaxing about falling asleep to the quiet sounds of nature, waking to the sun scorching on your face, and hopefully not being eaten by a bear in between. Kidding! Your odds are low.
Picnic
I have a real thing for eating outdoors (Probably no surprise to anyone.). Food just tastes better outside. Scientific fact. It’s also a low key, inexpensive way to spend time with the people in your life. You can make a fancy charcuterie board or slap together a PBJ. It doesn’t even matter because it’s automatically gourmet. Bring a frisbee and soccer ball or other fun toys. That’s all you need for a great afternoon.
Fancy outdoor dining
BBQ
Similar to the picnic above, food just tastes better from the grill. Another scientific fact. Even as a vegetarian I can say that. I mean, if you’ve never tried grilled pineapple you are missing out. You’ll never need another dessert in your life. Grilled lettuce you can probably do without. This can be your nightly dinner routine and/or you can host a gathering and enjoy the goods with your picnic people.
Eat Fresh
Whether picnicking or grilling, in season fruits and vegetables are around every corner and they’ll never taste better than this. Even if you’re not a big fan of these colorful items, they’re good for your health and will give you more energy to enjoy the summer. Plus there are infinite ways to prepare them so if you play around with it, I’m sure you’ll be pleasantly surprised. And if you get the chance to pick them yourself, they taste even better.
Drink Lemonade
This had to be included in its own separate category because there’s just something about summer that screams “Drink water, lemons, and sugar!” I actually prefer mine a little tart, but there’s nothing like lemonade to quench a summer’s thirst. I particularly enjoy mine curled up outside with a good book.
Get on a Boat
Tubing on the Kern River
It doesn’t have to be fancy. A cheap canoe or kayak will do the trick. Tubing, while technically not a boat, is popular where I’m from and an amazingly fun and relaxing activity to pass the day (For those who aren’t familiar with this past time, of which I’ve encountered many in my lifetime, tubing is riding an inflated piece of plastic down a river. It will change your life.). There are also sailboats, house boats, and speed boats. That last one is probably the antithesis of hygge. And terrible for the environment. So maybe stick to the more chill forms of water floating if you’re going for the hygge experience.
Get in the Water
While you’re at it, hop on into that water. Whether it’s the ocean, pool, lake, pond, river, stream, even if it’s a bit chilly. You don’t have to get your hair wet. But it’s more fun if you do!
There are a billion hygge-y things you could do this summer so if nothing on this list strikes your fancy, get creative and do what it is that you do enjoy. Although, if nothing on this list strikes your fancy, I’m seriously concerned about your ability to have fun and you should call me. You’ve got to take advantage of these summer days folks! Go on vacation, call in sick, or if you have to be in the office, at least take your lunch outside. These longer days are too short not to.