The Quiet Rhythm of Summer: Soft Rituals, Slow Living, and Simple Joys for Midsummer Days
A journal entry on soft days and joy without a reason.
There’s a rhythm to summer that isn’t loud—it doesn’t announce itself the way spring does. It hums. It lingers. It makes room.
Lately, I’ve been noticing how the simplest things hold the most meaning when I let them. A few delicate blooms, gathered from the corner shop, found their place in a small kitchen vase this week. I arranged them slowly—not to make anything perfect, but just to let the space feel loved. There’s something softening about tending to beauty without needing a reason. I think that’s been the theme of my days lately: doing things just because they feel good.
One afternoon, I curled up with a worn copy of Ariel—a book that doesn’t rush you. The light was soft, the air warm and still. Poetry can feel like a kind of companionship when the world is quiet. You don’t need to read much for it to shift something in you. Just a few lines, and suddenly, the moment has a little more depth.
And then, cupcakes. Two kinds—funfetti with sprinkles and white chocolate chips (because why not?), and chocolate ones in striped cases that reminded me of beach days from childhood. There’s something about baking that always brings me back to myself. The mixing, the folding, the scent filling the kitchen. Joy folded into batter. I didn’t need a birthday or a party. I just wanted to make something sweet.
There was rain one morning—gentle and steady. I slipped on my yellow boots and stepped outside, not to go anywhere in particular, just to feel the air. There’s something about walking through a quiet storm that settles me. The world slows down when it rains, and I like meeting it there.
Later that week, I sat down with paper, glue, and a few soft colors to make some simple greeting cards. Just a little note to send to someone I’ve been thinking about. There’s a kind of care that lives in handmade things. It doesn’t need to be fancy. It just needs to be honest.
Choosing a new book felt like a ritual in itself. Running my fingers along spines, waiting for the one that felt right. I love that moment before the first page—when the whole story is still a promise.
And one night, sometime after ten, I found myself in the kitchen with a cup of tea, a few cookies, and some strawberry jam. No reason. Just comfort. A quiet tea party for one. I stood there in a kind of daze—the happy kind—grateful for the calm, for the quiet, for the way slowing down makes everything feel a little more alive.
I ended the week by wrapping a few small gifts—nothing extravagant, just thoughtful little things for people I love. Soft paper, cotton string, a handwritten note. Slowness, folded into the wrapping. And then, a final comfort: cookies and milk. My favorite kind of goodnight.
These weren’t extraordinary days. I didn’t do anything big. But they felt full in their own quiet way. I think that’s what I’m learning most from this season—that softness doesn’t ask for attention. It just shows up, moment by moment, and invites you to notice.
🧁 This blog post pairs with my latest YouTube video: Slow Summer Days – 🌻 Baking Funfetti Cupcakes, Crafting, Arranging Flowers & Reading Softly
Below, I’ve gathered the cozy pieces featured in the video—each one designed for a slow, intentional life. These are the little things helping me move steadily through this season. Maybe they’ll meet you wherever you are, too.
📖 The 1% Way Daily Reset Checklist
A printable guide to help you reset your energy, slow your pace, and reconnect with what truly matters. Inside, you’ll find self-care practices, realistic productivity tips, and grounded joy ideas—made for you if you’re looking for both peace and progress. Keep it somewhere visible for the days that feel off. Real change starts small—and it starts now. Download your copy.
🖼️ The Very Good Print Set
A set of 6 prints I designed to quietly warm up your space. Intentional pieces—styled throughout my home as reminders of stillness, creativity, and comfort. Think of them as visual pauses—gentle art for a gentle life. Explore the Print Set.
📓 The Very Good Notebook – Plain
Minimal, grounding, and made for quiet thoughts. With its smooth beige cover and clean pages, this notebook offers space for journaling, planning, or processing your day. Designed to sit on your desk or travel lightly with you—it’s a calm place for whatever’s on your mind. Explore the Plain Notebook.
📓 The Very Good Notebook – Dot
Playful with a minimalist polka-dot cover and softly structured pages. A space for reflection, doodles, ideas—whatever your version of creativity looks like today. Designed to support your thoughts, without judgment. Explore the Dot Notebook.
👚 100% original
Quiet confidence, worn. This classic tee is made from 100% cotton—soft, breathable, and built to last. It’s a wardrobe staple for slow mornings, creative days, or any time you want to move through life with quiet strength. Get your 100% original tee.
🕯️ The ela Candle
Stillness you can light. Hand-poured with 100% natural wax and clean essential oils, The ela Candle brings cozy, non-toxic comfort to your space. Perfect for reading, journaling, or baking on long afternoons—without any harsh scents or chemicals. Light your ela Candle.
📘 The 1% Shift – An Immersive Workbook
A real-time companion to help you shift your life—one steady step at a time. Rooted in The 1% Way, this printable workbook walks you through the 3–3–3 Framework:
– 3 Days to prepare with presence.
– 3 Weeks to take steady, supportive action.
– 3 Months to make it your own.
The 1% Shift is designed to help you change your habits, routines, and mindset—without pressure or perfection. Download The 1% Shift.
I hope something here speaks to your season.
Thank you for spending this slow time with me—and for letting my creations be part of your intentional life.
Remember that you don’t need a big reason to feel joy.
Sometimes, it’s enough to pause, to notice, to let the day unfold softly.
Whether you’re arranging a few flowers, baking something sweet, or sipping tea in the quiet—these small moments matter. They don’t need to be earned. They’re already yours.
Come back to the softness.
Come back to yourself.
With Warmth,
Eliane Luella 🌻
P.S. If you'd like a little extra structure this month...
Subscribe for The 1% Way Daily Reset Checklist — and real-life tips to balance soft days and strong goals, without burnout.
If you’re craving more grounded self-care, productivity, and everyday ideas like these, you might enjoy my book The 1% Way and the companion The 1% Shift Workbook—both built around the idea of devoting just 1% of your day (15 minutes) to what matters most.