Slow down, savor the season, and reconnect with yourself and the world around you.
In Italy, August is the great exhale.
Shops close. Cities empty. Families retreat to the mountains or coast. Life slows down in a way that feels almost sacred. It’s primarily tied to the holiday of Ferragosto, and while you may not be in Italy, the spirit of this tradition is something every person can embrace.
Especially in midlife, when so much of life has been about caring for others, August offers a beautiful invitation: to pause. To realign. To find joy in simple things. Below are creative, seasonally rooted ways to nurture your well-being this August.
Embrace the Ferragosto Pause (Wherever You Are)
Ferragosto reminds us that true restoration sometimes takes time. In Italy, it’s common to take multiple weeks off in August, not out of luxury, but tradition and value for rest.
How to create your own Ferragosto-inspired break:
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Block out a day (or a weekend) with nothing scheduled
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Step away from productivity: no email, no errands, no “catching up”
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Wear something soft, let the house be a little messy, take naps
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Eat slowly, read something nourishing, light a candle for no reason
The point isn’t to do more. It’s to be in your life—with presence and pleasure.
Cook What the Earth Is Giving You
August is one of the most abundant months for fresh produce in the U.S. Even if you’re not near an Italian market, you can still eat like someone who’s savoring the season.
Late-summer ingredients to celebrate:
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Juicy heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers, and corn
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Ripe peaches, nectarines, blackberries, and melons
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Fresh herbs like basil, mint, and dill
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Zucchini, eggplant, and sweet peppers
Simple ideas:
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A chilled cucumber and mint soup for hot days
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Grilled peach halves with a drizzle of honey and a dollop of yogurt
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Tomato and basil salad with olive oil and sea salt, nothing else needed
Let your meals reflect the bounty of the season.
Watch for the Full Moon (and Let It Mark a Shift)
There’s often a luminous full moon in August, and women throughout history have used the moon as a moment to pause, release, or begin again. For women in their 50s and beyond, who often carry the invisible labor of caretaking and planning, this ritual can be grounding.
A full moon ritual for reflection and renewal:
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Sit outside that evening, or near a window where the moon is visible
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Bring a notebook and write down one thing you're ready to let go of
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Follow with one thing you’re inviting into your life (peace, joy, slowness)
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If you have a skincare ritual, make it part of the evening: cleanse, apply a mask, moisturize slowly, letting it become symbolic of renewal
You don’t need candles or crystals (unless you want them). Just the intention to mark this moment as sacred.
Create an “August Sanctuary” at Home
Sometimes we can’t travel, but we can still create spaces that feel like a getaway. A peaceful corner of your home can offer restoration if it’s treated with care and intention.
Ideas for your sanctuary:
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A small reading nook with a cozy throw and fresh flowers
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A morning spot outdoors with a chair and tray for tea
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A bedside space with a journal, linen spray, and favorite book
Visit your sanctuary once a day, even if only for 10 minutes. Think of it as a daily return to yourself.
Final Thought
In a world that rarely slows down, August gives us permission to do so. Remember that self-care doesn’t always look like a plan or a program. Sometimes, it looks like ripe peaches and bare feet. A quiet morning and a slower evening. A full moon and a breath of gratitude.
And sometimes, that’s exactly what we need.
