Entering summer season: the art of radiance
🌞co-creating with nature’s rhythms plus a summer could-do list
Happy Sunday dear ones!
As the official summer date is approaching, the warmth of the sun & summer season are already settling in. Can you feel it?
This is definitely the case for me in the area where I live in the Netherlands, where the summer is already visible in nature and somewhat feelable, yet the real heat hasn’t arrived thus far. Distant from the beach (for Dutch standards), this season and weather often get hot and humid quite fast, something that is still not my favorite weather, to be honest. However, after a long period of illness, I welcome the bright and hot summers more and more.
A while ago, I wrote about my feelings and relationship with summer season here 👇
There are many beautiful qualities about summer, and in this letter and for this glowing season, I wanted to briefly focus on being radiant ✨.
Summer screams radiance! Just look at nature everywhere and around you. Everything has almost completely bloomed, which hints at us to be open and be/feel attractive. In the human experience, especially of those of the female kind, this comes with a lot of attention in a good & positive way, and sometimes not so good, unfortunately.
And so, as we take this invitation to be ourselves, while open and free, we need to be discerning and protective at the same time.
Yes, I can talk all about being radiant, daring to shine as if it's some easy walk in the park. But, this is easier said than done! I know! To be radiant, to shine, to express our inner light, we need a strong dose of courage as well.
When we look at radiance at its core, we see that it’s not about performance or acting as if. Being radiant and daring to shine is about having the courage to express yourself authentically while being rooted in your truth - hence, attuned to our core values - and letting your inner light expand beyond your own skin.
Tips to start embracing your inner light:
Begin your mornings with a short journaling session where you set your intentions for the day.
Have a little gratitude moment - be it in your journal or while meditating - and really feel deeply why you are grateful for those things/people/experiences, etc.
Say the following affirmation while looking in the mirror:
“I shine without apology, knowing that my light does not dim anyone around me.”
Wear clothing that makes you feel comfy & free, authentic, and empowered.
Do things that make you feel good.
On that note, surround yourself with people who make you feel good, too.
Move your body and dance!
Say yes only when it feels good.
Acknowledge your boundaries, make them known (to others), and protect them.
Laugh, laugh a lot, and never hold your tears inside.
Accept compliments, and give lots of compliments as well (don’t be afraid to give compliments to strangers, too)
Close your day while giving yourself a few compliments as well.
Are any of these inviting you right now?
You can find more about the summer energetics in a letter I wrote last year 👇
📌A summer could-do list
If the weather & your time permit it, spend time at the beach or (near) a (natural) body of water.
Swim in a natural body of water like the ocean, lakes, or rivers.
Sign up for (an outdoor) dance, yoga, or other movement class.
Make a summer playlist and dance your socks off.
Dance under the full moon.
Watch the sunrise and sunset as often as you can.
Go for daily walks, preferably in nature or parks.
Take a barefoot walk on grass, sand, or forest floor (while protecting yourself and your feet!).
Try a (sunrise) movement practice (stretch, yoga, walk).
Take a break and go camping.
Start a creative project just for fun.
Create a summer altar.
Track your energy levels and make sure you don’t burn out.
Reignite an old (healthy) passion.
Start a moon garden.
Build or buy a hedgehog house in your garden or elsewhere where it’s permitted.
Make a flower crown with (clean) wildflowers.
Buy (or pick!) flowers just for yourself. Please make sure you get them pesticide-free!
Start a (daily) gratitude journal.
Get acquainted with siestas.
Have plenty of picnics with people you love.
Have a (safe!) 🔥bonfire with family and friends.
Do something that scares you (while keeping yourself safe!).
Write a “desire list” for the next season of your life.
Make a “Yes List” of things you want to say yes to this summer.
Create a summer vision or mood board.
Track your wins -whether small or big - and reward yourself accordingly.
Read a book that reignites your sense of purpose or creativity.
On that note, read (more) books just for pleasure.
At the end of the summer, write a future self letter.
And of course, being a southern hemisphere child myself, I couldn’t forget those down under who, at this time, are entering Winter season. Here you can read my latest letter about winter 👇
Summer’s energy is ⬆️upward⬆️ and ⬅️outward➡️, meaning that this energy often feels: warm, extroverted, expansive, active, productive, playful, creative, and joyful and it’s all about being out and about enjoying nature’s abundance while sharing this (experience) with our loves ones, the people we care about and with those whom we have lots of fun. We celebrate life in the best possible way.
🖊️Are there any activities that you would like to try from the summer could-do list? I’d love to hear your personal inclinations, so reply and share your motivations in the comment section!
Ps: 🙏🏻 If you enjoyed this read, then feel free to click on the ❤️ button on this post & share it, so more people can discover it on Substack.
🌬️ Sending you magic & healing your way,
-Vane
*all typos in this email are on purpose