7 Sustainable Thoughts to Take with you into Summer

Warm weather and approaching summer months has me in a thoughtful mood. I’m thinking of all the opportunities that the summer months provide that we don’t get all year round–at least not on our rainy west coast. So here are some sustainable thoughts that we can take with us into those sunny summer months.

Sustainable Thoughts for Summer

Summer months provide some unique opportunities for sustainable living. Here are some sustainable thoughts to ponder as the warmer months approach.

1. It’s garage sale season

I’m always excited for garage sale season. As a kid I would spend summer weekends heading out to find treasures with my grandma, so garage sales have some nostalgia for me. But more than that, garage sales are a great way to find quality items at a fair price.

And garage sale season isn’t just about heading out to shop! You can host your own garage sale to clear out some clutter and make a few dollars. It’s always a great idea to keep things out of the landfill and a bonus to put some extra cash in your pocket.

Check out Krista’s post on how to host a successful garage sale.

2. Hang those clothes to dry

Warm summer months are the perfect time to save energy and money by hanging your clothes to dry. Hanging clothes to dry actually extends the lifespan of your items too–there are so many reasons to do this! If you have a small space like I do, you can likely find a drying rack second hand to place on your balcony. I am excited to give this new way of hanging my sheets to dry a try!

Summer and solar panels go hand in hand and that’s a part of Krista’s journey to save on energy. Check out the beginning of Krista’s journey with solar panels here.

3. Spending time outdoors is good for us

Summer months are the perfect time to get outdoors. The weather is warm and dry and the outdoors are truly good for us. It’s a topic we’ve written about quite a few times on our blog. It’s not possible to talk about sustainability without also talking about our planet and being able to enjoy it.

Ponder the benefits of spending time outdoors in this post on Why it’s Important to Connect to our Planet and some ways to do so or on Reconnecting with Nature and Self by Disconnecting from the World

4. Potlucks and picnics can make meal planning easy

Since we’re talking about getting outdoors, how about a picnic?! It’s a perfect way to spend an afternoon or evening. It’s also an easy way to plan a meal. Use some easy, snack-like foods to create a filling meal. It’s low prep and can be low cost and easy to transport. Even better is to make it a social gathering and throw a potluck where everyone brings one dish and it results in a feast to share.

If you need some inspiration, check out 5 steps to a fun and frugal picnic.

5. Small appliances can be your best friend on hot days

Cooking can be a challenge when the weather gets hot. Turning on the oven can send the temperature skyrocketing. This is why small appliances can be a lifesaver! Not only do they save energy (and therefore save you money) but they can also keep the temperature down in your home when compared to using the oven.

So whether it is your Instapot, your air fryer, crockpot or your toaster oven, all of these small appliances can be a huge help to making meals on those hot summer days.

6. Take advantage of the sun and grow things

Summer months and gardening are a natural pair, but you don’t have to have a huge plot of land to take advantage of the growing season. I spent a few years experimenting with a balcony garden, which had many ups and downs but did produce some fun edible produce.

This month I popped the bottom of my green onions in a jar of water to yield pretty amazing results. I just put them on my balcony and let the sun do its thing. Within a week and a half, I had a whole new bunch of green onions to eat!

7. The products we use matter

As we get outdoors and possibly into our oceans, it’s a good time to remember that the products we use matter. The closer we are getting to nature and our oceans, the more the products we use matter. It isn’t just about the waste that could be left behind, but the interaction of the chemicals in the products as well.

Learn more here: World Oceans Day: Why Your Sunscreen Choices Matter and 7 Eco-friendly beach essentials for sustainable summer days

Wishing you a wonderful and sustainable summer!

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