July marks a comfortable turning level. The sunshine lingers somewhat longer, and time appears to stretch with chance. It’s the midway mark of the yr, once we’re inspired to mirror on the place we’ve been and root extra deliberately into the place we’re going. The season reminds us that pleasure doesn’t should be extravagant—typically, it’s a bowl of just-picked berries, a stroll that ends in wildflowers, or a day that strikes at your tempo.
As we transfer into the guts of summer season, the invitation is easy: soften, keep current, and absorb the sweetness that’s proper in entrance of you. Forward, uncover 31 joy-filled issues to do in July that can assist you benefit from each sun-drenched day.
Picture above from our interview with Lauren Eire by Emma Bassill.
31 Issues to Do in July to Make Each Day Rely
A few of us chase the solar with salt-streaked hair and sandy ft. Others discover solace within the slowness—a morning stroll, a crisp glass of one thing chilly, a very good guide within the shade. Nonetheless you spend your time, July is an invite to stay somewhat extra absolutely, somewhat extra presently.
Let every day be its personal small celebration. Beneath, you’ll discover 31 issues to do in July to spark pleasure, convey ease, and make this sun-soaked month one to recollect.
July 1-8
1. Examine in together with your objectives. We’re six months in and have six months left of 2025—there’s by no means a greater time to mirror on the objectives you set initially of the yr. What nonetheless resonates? Are there intentions you possibly can let go of? Reframe and reset, and take this second half by storm.
2. Take a location-less day journey. Choose a route and go—no map, no plans, simply curiosity. Discover the roadside fruit stand, cease on the swimming gap, and let your inside wanderer lead.
3. Cook dinner a meal solely outdoors. Even when you’re not a grill grasp, you possibly can nonetheless cook dinner a scrumptious dinner outdoors with picnic-friendly meals. In the event you can stand the warmth and mosquitos lengthy sufficient, set a fairly desk and benefit from the al fresco vibes.
4. Host a sluggish brunch. Invite buddies for a mid-morning backyard brunch. Stone fruits, comfortable scrambled eggs, and recent herbs snipped out of your windowsill.
5. Go strawberry choosing. Benefit from strawberry season! There’s nothing higher than getting up early, beating the crowds, and heading house with baskets of recent fruit. And naturally, it’s important to make a candy strawberry deal with together with your pickings.
6. Strive a five-minute grounding observe. Earlier than you attain in your cellphone every morning, place your ft on the ground, shut your eyes, and test in: What do I want as we speak? What do I need to really feel?
7. Have an intentional date evening. Whereas we love placing on a present and having a comfy evening in with our S.O., 2025 is all about experiencing extra novelty. These questions are designed that can assist you change up your conversations and be taught extra about your companion.
8. Plan your out of doors area. Camille’s Mediterranean-inspired landscaping has motivated us all to make our backyards and patios an outside haven. Make your Pinterest desires come true with these yard landscaping concepts stuffed with tricks to match any area.
July 9-15
9. Re-start your favourite guide. Whereas I’m all about choosing up the most effective new learn, there’s nothing extra comforting than rereading your favourite books. There’s no strain to focus too onerous, no huge commitments to make—simply pure pleasure. No matter guide you possibly can image your self laying out on the seaside with for hours with out pause, that’s the one to learn. Head to the library, a bookstore, or your Libby app and make it occur.
10. Go evening swimming. A few of my favourite childhood reminiscences contain household evening swims on the lake. Take the leap (actually) and uncover the enjoyment of it your self this July.
11. Make one thing together with your fingers. Ditch your display and take a look at one thing tactile—flower arranging, air-dry clay, a watercolor sketch. No matter calls to you, comply with that.
12. Curate your summer season scent. Whether or not it’s a physique oil, a linen spray, or your go-to perfume, select a scent to hold you thru July. Reminiscence lives in aroma—make this one final.
14. Spruce up your backyard (or begin one). Gardening is a good way to spend a while within the solar. Plant one thing new if you have already got a backyard going, or lastly begin one when you haven’t but. Camille’s constructing her inexperienced thumb and may’t get sufficient. Steal her gardening suggestions and get rising!
15. Decide to relaxation. Use the month of July to get in a very good relaxation routine earlier than the summer season is over. July is your invitation to construct a relaxation ritual—day by day stretches of quiet, unhurried sleep, or time merely spent doing nothing in any respect.
July 16-22
16. Go to an outside live performance. Most cities and bigger cities host out of doors music occasions all through the summer season. Do some analysis and are available out to help native bands. Don’t overlook the snacks!
17. Stargaze. Go stargazing on trip, whereas tenting out, or in your yard. Obtain a free app like SkyView Lite to establish all the stars and constellations you discover. Maintain your eyes peeled for taking pictures stars, too.
18. Learn up on cycle syncing. Get interested in how your power shifts all through the month. Strive syncing your meals, exercises, and skincare to your hormonal rhythms—and spot how supported your physique feels.
19. Go to an aquarium. When the climate’s scorching, I’m both in a lake or staying cool someplace that has AC. Within the latter case, a museum or an aquarium will all the time win out. If there isn’t one in your space, discover the deep sea with this scrollable illustration. It’s severely addicting.
20. Have fun Nationwide Ice Cream Day. What higher option to settle down than with ice cream? Choose up a couple of pints of the most effective vanilla ice lotions, check out considered one of these wholesome ice cream recipes, or simply seize a spoon and a bowl and have a good time by your self.
21. Have a picnic. Prep and pack your favourite picnic recipes, whip up a pitcher of iced tea, and discover the proper spot to set out your blanket. Is there any higher option to spend a summer season night?
22. Attend a block get together. Carry some meals and cease by. There’s no higher option to get to know your neighbors.
July 23-31
23. Clear out your closet. In the event you’re searching for productive issues to do in July, attempt cleansing out your closet. You in all probability really feel such as you simply completed spring cleansing, however now’s the proper time to promote or donate the summer season garments from final season you by no means ended up sporting. And you’ll all the time reorganize to make room for the upcoming summer season gross sales.
24. Take a household bike journey. Pack a picnic and cease someplace scenic for lunch alongside the best way. (Sure, the whole lot is simply an excuse for a picnic.)
25. Make a seasonal bouquet. Whether or not you head to Dealer Joe’s or go to your favourite native florist, decide a couple of totally different blooms and craft an association that’ll brighten up your property. Bonus factors when you make an additional one to share with a pal.
26. Discover a native farmer’s market and cook dinner dinner with what you purchase. Questioning what to do in July with all of summer season’s most interesting meals? Try our information to what produce is in season. Assist native distributors by visiting your nearest farmer’s market and making a meal with what you discover.
27. Have a 90s film marathon when it’s too scorching outdoors. When the warmth slows you down, lean in. Cue up a nostalgic 90s film evening—assume consolation, connection, and no rush to be wherever else.
28. Learn a quintessential summer season guide. Few issues really feel extra like summer season than a guide you possibly can’t put down. Whether or not you’re by the pool, on the park, or curled up on the sofa with a fan pointed your means, get misplaced in a narrative that looks like sunshine. I simply picked up It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan, and it’s precisely the type of feel-good, full-heart learn July requires.
29. Go to a baseball recreation. Nothing screams summer season fairly like baseball and scorching canine. I simply went to a Cubs recreation and whereas I wouldn’t name myself the most important baseball fan, I had the most effective time getting outdoors and connecting with the power of the sport.
30. Get on the water. Seize a paddle board, take a browsing lesson, or head out on a ship. Nonetheless you benefit from the water, don’t be afraid to get your hair moist.
31. Mirror on the month and make new objectives for August. Look again on all that this month introduced into your life. Did you meet new individuals? Expertise new alternatives? Be taught new issues? In your journal, write what went effectively and what you’d have preferred to occur otherwise this month. Then, take that optimistic power and channel it into an incredible August forward.
A Month of Easy Joys
Let July be the month that reminds you of the enjoyment that may be present in simplicity. That magnificence is within the unplanned afternoon, the recent peach, the quiet stroll at golden hour. As we flip towards August, carry with you the spaciousness you created—and let it information what comes subsequent.
