A Mudling Summer: What We're Doing This Summer — and What We're Not
A homegrown summer full of mud puddles, simple moments, and the magic of enough.
This year, when I sat down with my usual journaling prompts to plan our summer, something hit me hard:
It’s probably our kids’ last little kid summer. 🥹
You know the kind I mean — the ones filled with muddy feet from backyard sprinklers, sticky popsicles that drip down elbows, and catching lightning bugs in jars on warm summer evenings.
And suddenly, there was a bittersweet ache I didn’t expect.
This season is fleeting — and I don’t want to miss it.
I walked away from that journaling session feeling sentimental, a little sappy, and determined to soak up every ounce of joy this summer can offer.
We're calling it “A Mudling Summer.”
Between real-life responsibilities (like work, and a lack of vacation time), we knew this would be a mostly at-home summer. Maybe we’ll sneak in a day trip here or there, but we’re not planning any big, overnight adventures.
Instead, we’re choosing slow. Simple. Homegrown.
I started jotting down all the things that felt important to me this year, and here’s some of what I came up with:
🌱 Local day trips we could take — to creeks, historic sites, and nearby parks.
🌱 Sweet, simple memories I want the kids to enjoy — like splashing in a creek, movie nights with friends, or watching a summer storm roll in.
🌱 A few life skills — like cooking basic meals and (finally!) reviewing cursive.
🌱 Daily rhythms to help us stay grounded — like quiet mornings, large chunks of screen-free time, and keeping chores simple but consistent.
🌱 A little bit of character work — not just for them, but for me, too. 🙂 Attitudes. Work ethic. Grace.
Our word for this summer is “Homegrown.”
Not fancy. Not fast. Just full of love, learning, and slowness on purpose.
What We’re Not Doing This Summer.
Sometimes it helps to be just as intentional about what you’re not planning. For us, that means:
❌ Stressing about being late
❌ Overspending on big vacations
❌ Overbooking ourselves into exhaustion
❌ Trying to make it “perfect” (because life isn’t)
If you're looking to plan your own simple summer…
You don’t need a Pinterest-worthy list or a packed schedule. 🙌🏻
But you can take a little time to gently reflect and intentionally create a season that feels good for your family.
I used my Simple Summer Workbook to walk through gentle prompts that helped me set the tone for the season — without pressure or perfection. It’s designed to help you name what matters most, so you can actually live it out… even if your summer is full of mud puddles and messes.
Let’s make space for simple.
This summer might not be perfect. 😜
It might be messy, loud, or a little boring sometimes.
But I have a feeling it’s going to be just right for where we are.
If you’re dreaming of a simple, homegrown summer, maybe this is your sign to start where you are — to let go of the pressure and muddle through the mud with joy. (Ha! See what I did there? 😆)
Would you like a gentle companion to help you plan your own version of “just right?” The Simple Summer Workbook is a gentle, printable PDF full of cozy, intentional prompts to help you shape your season — no pressure & no perfection required. 🥰