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# The lingering sense of summer
- URL: https://emilymorter.com/the-lingering-sense-of-summer/
- Published: 2023-02-20T17:41:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-14T06:47:51.000Z
- Description: endings, noticing and choosing contentment, the colour yellow
- Author: Emily Morter
- Tags: Writing

Here in Melbourne, we are in Late Summer, a time of sunshine and plenty. This incredible life sized artwork by Carolyn Hillyer represents the energy of this season (you can [visit her page](https://www.seventhwavemusic.co.uk/product/sun/?ref=emilymorter.com) to find out more):

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/ec/5dece2dd-1b31-4e64-87f1-1d453618bd9f/content/images/2026/08/f47d94b9-5692-49a6-879d-12fd7c026aeb_600x1150-jpeg.jpg)

*How does the season feel for you? How do you usually feel when things are ending? past their peak? When it is time to reap what you sowed?* *to sacrifice what has been for what is to come?*  
  
I feel relief that the intensity of summer is over, that the days are getting shorter, and the peace of cool mornings and dark evenings is coming. And also, there is a sense of wanting to linger, to hold onto the taste of summer just a little longer.  
  
In 2023 I am focusing on **contentment**. For me, this often means *coming to my senses* (which I have [written about before](https://emilymorter.com/2100613%5Fnewsletter-august-2020/)). So this month I have literally been slowing down to notice what I enjoy through each of my five senses:

- the sound of the school bell and children's voices carried on the wind when I stand in our backyard. Makes my heart ache with love knowing my daughter is there, so close, living her own life.
- the sight of all shades of yellow, from lemon to marigold to amber. Brings my Leo inner sun to life.
- the subtle warm smell of the honey scented hand cream I'm using. Connects me to ancestral traditions of using honey in multiple ways.
- the taste of a sun warmed strawberry straight from the garden. One of the sweetest experiences of summer I am savouring.
- the silky feel on my skin of magnesium salts dissolved in bath water. I never get over how slippery it feels; what a strange and wonderful chemical reaction.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/ec/5dece2dd-1b31-4e64-87f1-1d453618bd9f/content/images/2026/08/yellow-stack.jpg)

I'm also enjoying the anticipation of this stack to-be-read, Feb 2023

Contentment is not only about noticing what I already enjoy, but intentionally choosing things that please me, just because. So in the spirit of lingering summer I have been spending an extra ten minutes in bed in the mornings so my daughter and I can hug and chat and wake up gently.  
  
I have been saying yes to more parties than usual, so I can dance, and have meandering conversations with old friends, and walk around at night seeing the stars and smelling the scent of hot concrete and summer gardens.  
  
And I have been wearing yellow more often to evoke the inner glow of contentment and abundance.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/ec/5dece2dd-1b31-4e64-87f1-1d453618bd9f/content/images/2026/08/74c61f82-af0e-493a-90bc-3a2efefff5cb_2640x1980-jpeg-1.jpg)

This doesn't mean everything is perfect all the time. There is often grief in letting go what was wonderful to start something new. It is a practice to feel even a small sense of contentment, and sharing it with you helps me stay present and keep practicing.  
  
Until next month, much love,  
  
Emily