Over the past couple of years, I’ve caught myself in this loop of putting the things I want to do on the back burner to make time for things that someone else plans or something that “needs to be done”. I’ve recently discovered that this is the reason that the things I’ve always wanted to do have never gotten crossed off my bucket list. I always told myself that “this summer, I’m going to do these things”, but the times never came. 

These are a few of my summer bucket list items for 2023- to gather with friends and family, first time experiences, and explore and get to know the communities around me and the people I love. If we have a desire, we must create the reality of whatever it is in order for it to happen. 

Experience

It can be intimidating to go out in public and do things alone, or even to know where to start with a home project you’ve had in mind for so long. Spending time in solitude, being present and showing yourself grace and compassion will fill your cup and allow you to make more space for others. In the end, you’ll learn more about yourself and be able to show compassion for yourself and others. 

Solo Picnic by the Lake

I’ve had this in mind for years before I even moved to the northwoods. I can imagine it already, I pack up the car, roll down the windows, play my favorite music and make my way to a nearby lake with a park on the shore. I unpack my picnic basket, blanket, and grab whatever book I’m currently working on. I find a patch of fluffy grass, with the sun beaming down. I lay out the blanket, kick off my sandals, and listen to my surroundings. These still moments will give me the opportunity to reflect in the present moment and just be, in complete gratitude.

Vegetable / Wildflower Garden

When I bought my house two years ago, one of the first goals I had in mind was to incorporate a garden. Not only to provide me with fresh produce, but to also have a beautiful space of native wildflowers. I love spending time outdoors in the summer, and I also love creating nutritious meals with fresh produce. In addition to the environmental and nutritional values gardens can provide us, I’m looking forward to being able to gift harvest baskets to my loved ones, and fill my home with flowers and kitchen aromas from the garden.  

Berry Farm

In my hometown, there was a strawberry farm that would hire local high school students to spend the summer picking strawberries for the farm’s visitors. Ever since then, I have always wanted to find a local berry farm to spend a day at and pick fresh fruits to add into smoothies or try new pastry recipes. I’ve also really wanted to try making my own coffees syrups for a while and right now my go to order is a blueberry vanilla latte, wherever blueberry syrups are available, it would be so amazing to be able to try out a new recipe on my own. 

Gather 

Calendars fill up quickly during summer for a lot of people. From graduation parties to camping on the weekends, we want to soak up all the summer we can get before the colder months kick in again. Reflecting back, a pattern I’ve noticed is that I hardly plan events and gatherings because I’m usually invited by others. Here are a few ways that I want to implement gathering more with friends and family this summer.

Bonfires & Cookouts with Friends

There’s something so nostalgic about spending time with people around a fire or enjoying grilled food with the sun shining. The rolling scent of bonfire smoke or the sizzling food on the grill gets taken away by the breeze. The clouds roll past offering little moments of shade to pause the rays radiating our skin. People can trickle in and out as they please and there is little to no formality to hosting bonfires and cookouts. Your loved ones play yard games while sipping on refreshing beverages and the grill cooking away. These are the summer memories that will expand your stories told to your children. 

Volleyball Leagues 

There aren’t nearly as many options for getting a group of people together to play volleyball where I live now compared to where I went to college, but I make sure to make time for the sport that has taught me so much while growing up. Participating in volleyball leagues gives me the opportunity to be present and not only forget about any worries and anxieties, but also to connect with new and old faces.  It’s a chance to relax and focus on having fun while getting in a little sweat, and maybe having a drink, or two. 

Explore

Getting out of town and visiting new places is always on my mind. It doesn’t have to be this big three-month trip overseas, trying italian pizzerias or french wine. Sometimes it’s just a matter of driving an hour away or re-visiting old friends a couple states away. The feeling of leaving the normal routine is like hitting a reset button. 

St. Germain Farmer’s Market

On Mondays in the summertime, St. Germain holds a great farmer’s market- or so I’ve heard. I have wanted to spend a Monday scoping it out ever since someone recommended it to me the first time. Since I was previously working in an office Monday through Friday, it was a little bit more challenging to line up this Monday market with my work schedule. This summer is the summer that I’m going to explore more of St. Germain and hopefully find a new ritual to start off my weeks. 

Merrill Rodeo

My first experience at a rodeo was my first summer living in the UP, the UP Rodeo Championships. It was an all weekend event with vendors taking over downtown Iron River, Michigan. Recently, one of my friends that lives in Merrill, Wisconsin mentioned that they accidentally discovered a new event where they live and said they had a blast last year. This year, I will be spending a weekend down by them for another rodeo experience. 

Denver Trip

I’ve been to Denver many times, and even my college internship was with a company located in Denver. Every single time that I have gone out to visit my close friend, Tetiana, we’ve learned about and explored new areas in Colorado. I visited my first national park with Tetiana, roamed around numerous mountain towns, and even discovered some of the greatest little shops. I’m looking forward to getting back out to visit again during the summer time to see more of the summertime activities and events. 

What’s on Your Summer Bucket List?

Send me a message and let me know if you would try any of these bucket list items or anything new that you think I should try. Make sure you come back periodically throughout the summer to see what I’ve crossed off or added!