Indoor summer

 Summer is traditionally an outdoor time.  In days past, the heat of summer time made inside quite warm, and it made sense to spend more time outside, enjoying the fresh air and nice weather.  In our modern times, with air conditioning and less natural spaces (for many people living in cities), it can be a struggle to embrace that outdoor energy of summer.

Not only have we made inside more comfortable, but in many ways outside is less accessible for many people.  We have work that needs done, and often isn't compatible with being outside (whether you just have too much stuff to work outside, can't find good outlets/wifi, or there isn't a good place for you to go).  We may live in a place where there aren't good outside spaces, or those spaces are crowded or dirty (with human trash, not actual dirt LOL).

I'm definitely an indoor person.  My personal bane is insects.  I get bit...a lot...and I react poorly to many bites (nothing serious thankfully, I don't need an epi-pen or anything, but I definitely get welts and they bother me for days).  Plus, almost everything I do is on my computer, which is not portable (yep, I'm on a desktop....not something to lug around).

And sometimes that makes it hard to really feel in tune with what is going on outside my windows.  Inside, everything tends to be homogeneous....it's pretty much the same all year round.  Which actually makes it strange to step outside and realize that it's hotter than I thought it would be.

But just because you can't be outside a lot during the summer, doesn't mean you can't embrace that summer energy.  A lot of people decorate their houses for holidays, but adding in some seasonal (as in the seasons) decorations can go a long way to bringing that outdoor energy inside.

One of the simple options is flowers, whether you are going outside and wild gathering whatever is growing nearby, buying flowers from the shop (many grocery stores sell flowers now, so you don't even always have to make a special trip), or if you invest in some nice fake flowers (especially if you suffer from allergies..or have pets that like to eat them, like our kitties).  But those bright pops of color really remind you of the blossoming of nature outside.

Along those same lines, you can also use fresh produce to bring that summertime energy inside.  A lot of produce is in it's prime during the summer, and you can double up on your usage of it by creating a simple display (find a nice bowl or big clear jar to store things in on your table).  Many produce items store best at room temperature, so check to see what you can leave out (it's great for when you buy things that are a little under ripe), and then make it look nice!

Even just trying to work in more fresh and light foods can be a way to absorb the summer energy.  You don't have to eat only salads, but you might find that some sliced veggies or fruit feel more refreshing than cooked (or frozen or fresh), especially if you do have to go outside in the heat at some point.

Of course, you will want to make sure you are drinking plenty of water, and a fun way to spruce up your water is to infuse it with fresh herbs (like mint), or add in some berries or cucumber.  Play around with it, and see what combinations you enjoy!  Even if you are staying indoors, fancying up your water like this makes it feel like a vacation (which many of us associate with summer).

I love window clings as another way to change the energy in your home.  Finding some with bright flowers or butterflies or other summer images can really brighten up your space.  Along those same lines, if you spend a lot of time on your electronic devices (like I do), changing your backdrops (and lock screens) to something bright and summery gives you that little boost every time you look at your device.

Whether or not you spend a lot of time outside in the summer, you can bring that summer energy inside with you.  You may find, as I do, that when you do, you feel more energized and more in tune with the season...even if you rarely go outside.