What Happened When I Stopped Trying to Be Productive and Just Enjoyed Summer

If you’ve been following along for a while, you probably know I recently gave my website a little refresh—Beautifully Seaside is now a full-blown coastal lifestyle website, with new stories posted every weekday. But one of the best changes I made? I started taking weekends off. No posts. No content planning. Just time to slow down and be. At first, I wasn’t sure how it would feel—I’ve always been a go-go-go kind of girl—but something shifted. Giving myself permission to not be productive every moment has been the most refreshing reset. And let me tell you what happened when I stopped trying to be productive and just enjoyed summer: it’s changed everything.

What Happened When I Stopped Trying to Be Productive and Just Enjoyed Summer

Now, my weekends are all about the things that fill me up…

— Slow mornings with my husband (coffee and sunshine included)
— Catching up on my reading—right now I’m loving Funny Story by Emily Henry, and it’s such a fun read
— Walks with my sweet daughter-in-law, just chatting and enjoying the fresh air
— Cooking something delicious for breakfast (this pan has been my go-to lately!)
— Sleeping in a little later without guilt
— Watching shows that feel like a treat—hello, Bridgerton and Emily in Paris
— Lighting a pretty candle, curling up in my favorite pajamas, and just relaxing

And here’s the funny part: even though I love slowing down, I also love the work I do. Writing new coastal stories for my website feels like a hobby I just can’t quit—it genuinely brings me joy. But when I take real time off, I come back feeling so refreshed and inspired, I practically run to my computer Monday morning to start writing again.

If you’re in a season of hustle right now, I understand—but if you’re craving a little relaxation, I highly recommend giving yourself a weekend off, just to see what happens.

A Few Things I’m Loving for My Slow Summer Weekends:

• Funny Story by Emily Henry – shop it here
• The coziest pajamas I’ve been living in – this one’s a favorite
• My favorite everyday mug – a little morning joy
• A candle that makes the whole room feel like a spa – this scent is amazing
• This pan (I have it in blue salt) that’s making breakfast extra pretty
• The comfiest slides – worn every morning lately

Tell me—what’s your favorite way to slow down and savor summer?