ORIGINALLY RELEASED AS THE JULY 2025 EDITION OF THE HERE & NOW NEWSLETTER (CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE)
Edited by Matt Warren, LMHC MDiv (Executive Director, Senior Clinician)
Summer naturally invites us to slow down and step back from our usual routines. The long days and warm weather seem to urge us to do a bit less—whether to savor the moment or, on especially hot days, simply to endure it! Even the weather seems to call for just sitting still and savoring it (or, on certain days, just trying to endure the heat!).
Yet in a culture that prizes constant activity and endless productivity, this seasonal rhythm can feel counterintuitive. We may find ourselves resisting rest, convinced that slowing down is a luxury we can't afford. But that resistance often leads to stress, frustration, and, more significantly, a missed opportunity to receive the particular grace God offers in this season.
At Harbor, we aim to honor the natural rhythm of summer by intentionally scaling back and slowing down. During these months, we simplify: fewer meetings, simpler tasks, no big projects or new initiatives. We intentionally focus on what’s essential and make space for rest and retreat, both collectively as a team and individually in our own ways.
For this month’s newsletter, we invited a few folks from the Harbor team to share about this practice by answering two questions: "What are some ways that you slow down during the summer months? And how does this practice impact your spiritual, mental, and emotional wellbeing?"
We hope their responses inspire you to embrace the gift of this season in your own life. Happy summer!
Day Marshall: "Over the summer, I love to enjoy the extra hours of daylight. I slow down by allowing myself space to accomplish things that I need to get done. Yardwork can start early morning, or be in the evening when the sun has gone behind the trees. Taking a long drive or hiking can be more leisurely, and less constrained by time since there are so many hours of daylight. Enjoying simply sitting in the green and blooming yard, feeling the breeze, hearing the birds, all help me to be in the moment, soaking up the beauty of the season."
Aaron Jones: "One thing for me is to cut out coffee and a 'caffeinated mindset,' where I'm scrambling to be productive and squeeze the most out of every moment. I take more breaks without distractions to just reflect, paying attention to the world around me. I've noticed that these slow moments allow me to feel my own feelings, and create space for God to speak."
Megan Farcas: "Slowing down in the summer means noticing when I have "gaps" in my schedule and choosing to relax instead of filling it with to dos. Sometimes that looks like spending time outside, having a laid-back afternoon with family, or making space for spontaneous play. These kinds of pauses help me reset mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, offering reminders to stay grounded and grateful."
Kara Bickhart: "I like to practice slowing my life down by enjoying nature. As a family, we spend time camping, hiking, and swimming in a lake nearby. Even on the days we don’t have a grand adventure, I chose to sit outside to read for a bit or eat a meal in the backyard. Engaging in these small practices allows me to be mindful and feel more connected to God, myself and my family."
Christina Feng: "With the natural slowdown of clientele during summertime, I try to squeeze in or change up small routines that can feel rejuvenating during the work week, such as going on daily walks, doing devotions midday, incorporating afternoon teas. These change-ups and small pleasures allow me mental breaks and pick-me-ups during the day, which have felt different and good."
Jessica Abraham: "One of the ways that I practice slowing down in the summer is by regularly carving out time for my hobbies. Whether it's baking something new, reading a book (likely outside to soak up the sun) or working on a knitting project, I find that making time for my hobbies typically helps clear my mind, live in the present moment and feel more thankful. More often than not, slowing down to be creative, helps me feel more connected to my Creator."