Bring Summer Bliss into Your Fall Routine + Braided Bun

If you're like me, saying goodbye to summer is very difficult. At the end of every summer I have a serious case of FOMO. My husband says that I could go swimming and have ice cream and have adventures everyday and I would still be wistful at the end of the summer. I have a tradition of singing and playing on my guitar a Dashboard Confessional song that goes "So Long Sweet Summer" every late August.
I've talked to many friends who feel this way, and it got me thinking: how can we bring some of this summer bliss into the rest of the year with us?

1. Fit one fun, different activity into each work week. Go on a walk in the park after work, meet friends for happy hour on Thursday evening, take the night off from cooking and have a pizza and movie night.
2. What is it that gives you rest and joy in the summer? Squeeze it into the busy times too! Find 20 minutes to read, work out, or just sit there with no agenda...
3. Take in light. Go on an afternoon walk, open the blinds in the morning, use your break at work to step out into the open air and soak it up for a few moments. Give your home some lovely lighting, or if you find light is really important for you, consider a therapy light.
4. Embrace summer activities can be brought into fall- grilling, fires, eating outdoors, a bike ride, a hike.
5. Bring the outdoors in by having some houseplants. I've loved taking care of my flowerbeds this summer and I look forward to caring for my indoor plants in the in between times.
6. Do a reflective inventory. If you feel a sense of dread as September inches closer (I'm looking at you, teachers!) do some reflection on your schedule. Is there anything that doesn't really need to be part your routine? Is there anything you committed to a long time ago that your heart isn't in anymore? Is there a way you can make your days simpler? Sometimes a little space is what we need the most.

I think a key piece is figuring out what it is for you that makes summer so special. Is it having (unscheduled time, more family togetherness, That feeling of freedom) and finding a way to bring a taste of it into the rest of the year.

One thing I know I love about summer is all the fun activities, and Daniel and I do a pretty good job of infusing that into our schedule the rest of the year. Last week we went to the county fair, and I had fun doing this braided bun. It's pretty easy, flip your head over and start a french braid at the base of your neck. I have thick hair so I only included my hair at the back. When you get to the top of your head, tie the braid off and flip over. Brush the rest of your hair back into a bun and secure with bobby pins and hairspray. If you're a visual person, I've linked the pin above. I am about to chop my hair, and had to do one last new hairdo with my long hair before it's gone.

I spent a lot of this summer in paint clothes, workout clothes, or a swimsuit, but on the occasions that I did get dressed this is my summer go-to. A casual top half tucked into denim shorts, fun earrings, and sandals. This is one of my plants I'll bring indoors when the frost comes- I've actually kept this coleus alive since last summer! I love wintering it in my classroom and taking care of it all year.

There's lots to look forward to in fall, I hope this post helps you bring some summer bliss into your fall schedule when the busyness hits.