June 20th marks this year's Summer Solstice; a new season offering us new opportunities. In the northern hemisphere, daylight hours are at their longest on this day and like many astronomical events, Summer Solstice comes along with many spiritual meanings and beliefs. The most prominent, well known associations that come with a new season are the opportunities for change and fresh starts. 

We know that mid-year slumps are common, and sometimes we need a gentle nudge to get back to where we want to be. Why not harness this time and implement new routines into your life, or get back on track with goals set at the beginning of the year. 

New season tips and tricks:

Freshen up your space

A clean space = a clean mind, a tale as old as time. But for good reason. When our surroundings are clean and tidy, our minds are more likely to be calm. The same logic can be applied to getting our minds stimulated again. Try adding something new into your home or workspace to change things up: a plant, artwork, even a new desktop background on your computer. 

Try a new recipe

Eating seasonally is a great way to enjoy all the goodness a new season brings. Check out your local farmers markets, see what foods are in their prime and implement these into your meals.

Try out a simple, seasonal burrata, strawberry and rocket salad: 

In a shallow serving bowl, lay down a bed of rocket leaves and top with fresh strawberries cut into slices. Dress with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Top the leaves and strawberries with a ball of fresh burrata, and slice the top of the cheese gently to expose its delicious creamy centre. Sprinkle over some sea salt and cracked black pepper, and a little extra olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

We think this simple summer salad is best served with fresh, crusty bread. 

Start a journal

If you’ve never started a journal before, this could be the perfect opportunity. Journaling has so many documented benefits, and is a wonderful way to keep track of your memories and personal growth. 

If journaling has been on the back burner of your routine, try picking it back up this summer and start simple: write a list of your favourite summer activities and see how many you can do this year. 

Another great way to start is to write down 3 goals you want to achieve this summer and document your progress. A helpful tip when setting goals is to start with something manageable and realistic. This could be trying a new activity for the summer, or reading 3 new books. Anything that you believe is doable is a great place to start. 

See our collection of notebooks and mid year diaries to help you achieve your goals.

Tag us on instagram @collinsdebden and show us how you are spending the summer solstice