How to Enjoy Lazy Summer Holidays at Home

Why I'm content to enjoy July, August & September at home, rather than booking a holiday

My social media is filled with people sunning themselves is Sicily, diving into crystal clear waters in Greece, road tripping around Scandinavia and sipping spritzes in Italy. Meanwhile, I’m writing this at home, sat in my favourite chair in the garden, baking in the sunshine which has finally made an appearance. I’ll be here for the next couple of months (apart from a couple of UK work trips), happily spending the summer holidays at home.

There are all the obvious reasons that I won’t be travelling abroad (or even taking a staycation) during July, August and September (I tend to lump September - at least the first half - in with summer). Everywhere is busier and more expensive during the school holidays. It’s too hot in most of Europe right now. I’ve already travelled abroad twice during late spring (these trips were a fusion of pleasure and work).

But, honestly, the main reason is that I’m just really looking forward to spending time at home. Pottering around my own garden, lounging in the sun with my book, hiking up to my favourite places to swim on the tops (hills, and sitting in beer gardens alongside the canal, catching up with my friends. I’ve just spent the past weekend visiting a friend in Brighton, and other than that, I’ll be at home until midway through September (other than a couple of work trips - but I have no leisure/pleasure holidays planned, which is unusual for me).

I’m lucky to live in a rural location, surrounded by beautiful countryside and rolling hills. I have a decent sized garden and one of the highlights of each summer is growing my own flowers and vegetables. Wild swimming is one of my favourite pastimes, and there are several amazing places right on my doorstep. Places such as the Lake District, Peak District, North Wales and Yorkshire Dales are doable for day trips or just one night away. Why wouldn’t I spend my favourite months of the year soaking all this up?

My garden, late August 2023 - why would I travel abroad when I’d miss these blooms?

If you live in a city, there is so much to love during the summer months too. We lived in Manchester up until 2018, and summer has always been my favourite time of the year. I’d meet my friends in parks for languid picnics that turned into runs to buy bottles of fizz and beer, lingering long into the night. We’d sit around bonfires in each other’s gardens. We would hop on trains and trams to find swimming spots just a short reach from the city centre. Evenings not spent in the park would involve finding the beer gardens with enough space for us all to crowd around tables, soaking up every last minute of the sun.

Doomscrolling on social media can feel envy-inducing at the best of times, but especially in high summer when it feels like everyone else is jetting around Europe while you sit at home. Even though I’m content with staying home this summer, I can’t help sparks of jealousy and spontaneously googling flights when I see all the places other people are visiting. Personally, I’m trying to limit the amount of time I spent on Instagram and I’m not allowing myself to book any last minute trips. I have two weeks in Cornwall and Devon to look forward to at the end of September, and I’m travelling to Spain for work in October. I don’t need to add any extra holidays into the mix.

I know I’m lucky that I’ve already been abroad three times this year (I’ve visited the French Alps, Paris, Greece and the Swiss Alps), but when you work in the travel industry it is hard to let go of the notion that you should always be on the move. I constantly feel the pressure to be travelling abroad to keep my photography portfolio fresh and have stories to pitch to potential clients.

I took a hard stance on buying new clothes several years ago, forbidding myself to make imprompt purchases and carefully considering each new item I add to my wardrobe. I’m trying to develop the same attitude with travel. Sometimes I genuinely feel like I need to get away - I might need fresh inspiration, to spend time building up my portfolio, or need to spend some time in the sunshine. At the moment, none of those boxes are needing to be ticking. I’m still feeling inspired from all the places I’ve travelled to earlier this year. My portfolio is feeling fresh (I actually have a huge backlog that needs adding to my website) and I have several upcoming jobs that will continue adding to it. And the sun is finally shining.

Possibly the real reason I love a lazy summer at home: dahlia season in my garden.

In need of inspiration for how to enjoy a lazy summer at home?

I honestly have no idea what Brat Summer is. Instead, I’m embracing Lazy Girl Summer at Home, which I can truly get behind. Here are a few ideas if you’d like to do the same …..