One of the things I like to do is studying new concepts, especially the ones that become super popular in the vastness of internet. Today, let’s talk about something called a “Sufjan Stevens Summer“.

This concept gained popularity in 2022, but somehow I discovered it just recently. So, since I already wanted to make a summer-related post, I decided to combine these two together.

Sufjan Stevens is a singer and songwriter, most of his songs are in indie genre and remind people of summer. Maybe it’s also connected with the fact that he wrote two songs for the movie “Call Me By Your Name“, which is the main inspiration behind this concept. So, basically people created a whole new aesthetic based on Sufjan’s songs, mixed with “CMBYN” movie, countryside and cottagecore vibes.

It’s a mentality or a lifestyle that lots of people want to achieve for the hottest season of the year. I instantly loved this aesthetic, because that’s something I’ve been dreaming about for a couple of years without even knowing about such a phenomenon.

Sufjan Stevens Summer is pretty much the opposite of a “hot girl summer“. It’s full of nature, books, poetry, art and music and all the perfect vintage vibes. SSS (I’m too lazy to write the whole name again) is kinda melancholic but in a good way. It’s about being in peace with yourself and with the world, not rushing anything, reminiscing about the good old days, and just being still, if that makes sense. Some people describe it as a holiday in Italy or South of France in the 1960-70s. If you want to get the whole image of this concept, you can find inspiring photos in pinterest, and you’ll instantly understand what it’s all about.

For me, it’s also a kind of reminder of the past, our simple, yet colorful childhood, without technologies but with lots of amazing memories. If you’ve been following this blog for a while, you’ll know that I don’t really love summer, but this aesthetic makes me want to enjoy it as well as other seasons. So, since we’re familiar with this new beautiful concept, I’ll share a few activities and tips on how to have the perfect Sufjan Stevens Summer, or simply how to make these three months more fun and memorable.

p.s. I’ll leave a few photos (none of which are mine) with this aesthetic at the end of the post, so you’ll get a better idea of what I’m talking about.

1. Countryside style. Which is basically the same as my favorite cottagecore. If you can’t physically travel to the European countries of the past century, or to a cottage somewhere in nature, you can “recreate” it in your household. I have a post about cottagecore decor, or you can find more references in pinterest. And btw, the same refers to your style. If you want to feel like a character of your own SSS movie, try to opt for “vintage summery” clothes, like straw hats, floral dresses, denim shorts, white lace tops etc.

2. Do summery activities. This includes a lot of things, I’ll quickly list some of them: have a picnic in nature, ride a bike or roller skates, go for a swim in the nearby lake, river or sea, eat all the seasonal fruits, chill in a hammock, watch the sunrise/sunset, go flower/berry picking, make a herbarium of all the wildflowers, dance in the rain, have a sunbath, walk barefoot on the fresh grass, make a lemonade, visit old bookshops, paint, etc. You can add numerous other ideas to this list, and believe me, these simple things will turn your dull days into cheerful time and will make you soak into the atmosphere of the season.

3. Choose summer theme books and movies. SSS pays a lot of attention to books and poetry. What else can you do on a hot summer afternoon, rather than sit under a tree and read a great book? The best leisure time! If you choose the right themed books, your imaginary world will be filled with the right atmosphere as well. And don’t forget about the movies, which are one of the biggest source of inspiration, at least for me.

4. Create a good playlist. I feel like songs can be seasonal too. You listen to a composition and it brings the memories of a certain season. Songs help you see this reality in brighter colors. So, even if you’re going for the groceries or getting to work, having the best summer songs playing in your headphones will make those boring and insignificant activities more pleasant. It’s all about romanticizing the simple daily stuff, and I think music is one of the best methods to do so.

5. Take more photos and videos. You can try to make your own cinematic video of the summer, if you shoot throughout these three months. Or just take regular photos, to capture all the fascinating moments and places. You can also take pictures with a film camera and develop them at the end of August. It’ll be like a time capsule which will remind you all the little moments you may have forgotten.

Last but not least, remember that these are no rules you have to follow, merely suggestions of things that may inspire you. For me, the best part of every aesthetic is that you can make it as unique as possible, adding your own little details and components. Anything, that will makem you feel inspired and just have fun.