Think about some of your favorite summer memories—the scenes that bring you back to picture-perfect golden hours, relaxing strolls by the water, and delicious ice cream melting in your hand. The adventures you long to recreate with each passing year. Now ask yourself: How many of these moments unfolded in front of a screen?
We’re all for acknowledging the role technology plays in our lives, but if there's ever a time to slow down and disconnect, summer is the perfect season to embrace more analog rituals. In the spirit of creating habits that help us truly appreciate the present moment, our latest guide celebrates all that summer has to offer when we put our phones down and simply look up.
Read on to discover how we’re living intentionally this season, featuring thoughts from a few of our artist partners.
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Detail of Patti Blau's Sunny Afternoon 1000 piece puzzle
CELEBRATE THE SENSES
It’s hard not to feel everything so deeply in a season that’s often synonymous with nostalgia. Longer days call for long periods of reflection, and reconnecting with the world around us, especially as it continues to move at a rapid pace. As Christina Gliha puts it, “Summer is so sensorial—the fruit is ripe, flowers are in bloom, and the air is warm. Your appetite shifts to lighter, fresher foods, and you feel liberated from the heavy layers of winter. It’s both physically and emotionally freeing. It’s as if a switch is flipped, and suddenly, I have so much more energy.”
For us, part of that energy is spent enjoying summer’s natural splendor. “The shift from spring to summer is a portal into expansiveness and warmth,” says Elana Gabrielle. “Each year I look forward to 'mermaid season' and absolutely love dipping into fresh cold rivers and basking on hot rocks along the shore. There's nothing quite like a nap in the shade with the breeze rustling the reeds and birds singing overhead.”
Patti Blau shares a similar sentiment. “The Miami Aquatic Center competition pool is the perfect place to cool off,” she adds. “I challenge myself to go a little further each time. I set my watch for pool activity and see what I can accomplish. I love the repetition of the stroke and breathing—I get my best thinking done in the water!”
Tip: Enjoy the summer senses closer to home with our newest puzzles, A Good Year and Luxurious Lounging Puzzle Bundle.
Bali Spa 100 piece mini puzzle
ADD ANALOG RITUALS
Embracing the nature of summer also means fighting against modern nature—in other words, the constant impulse to scroll or snap a photo. We’ve found there are various ways to indulge in creative hobbies that don’t rely on our devices, and often look to our community for inspiration.
“Sometimes I turn to digital illustration for fluidity, ease of editing, and quicker speeds,” Gabrielle adds. “Instead of trying to get things done as fast as I can and relying on technology, I'm putting pen and ink to paper and reconnecting directly with the foliage and land that inspires my work. It connects me to my roots in more ways than one, and opens the door to other realms of creativity.”
Blau agrees. “I work with technology daily, so an ordinary habit I would like to get back to this season is working with paint, crayon, and paper. I’ve also been attending live model drawing sessions, and that's something that connects a group of people to the same creative experience. I'm always so interested to see all of the interpretations and styles!”
Tip: Carry our For Now journal for whenever inspiration strikes, or transport yourself to summery destinations through puzzles like Bali Spa and Summer Daydreaming.
CHANGE YOUR PERSPECTIVE
With the latter point in mind, summer always invites us to reconsider how we experience or interpret the little things. And whenever we want to appreciate the beauty of the season in quieter ways, we take page from Borislava Karadjova’s (sketch)book.“This might sound a bit cheesy, but I love drawing women and men at the pool, like scenes from a Slim Aarons photo,” she says. “I'm allergic to the sun, so this is my beautiful way of connecting with summer, just in a different way.”
Similarly, Bodil Jane believes you can enjoy summer delights from unexpected vantage points, particularly in your own backyard. “I love ‘traveling’ in my mind,” she shares. “Reading a book in our mini garden. Making a portrait of my son in my sketchbook. Going on a long walk along the water with my poodle. Eating a cold watermelon salad with fresh mint and feta cheese during a picnic. I don’t need to travel far to do any of those things—I just look around and enjoy what’s here.”
Tip: Discover fresh perspectives from our global community by exploring our latest Stories.