What will you do this summer?

As I drove to my chiropractor appointment this morning, I noticed the marquee on a local elementary school: “Last day of school, May 21.” It seems like yesterday that the stores set up the school supply lists and that school supplies were on sale. Where has the school year gone?

I was always excited that school was out for the summer. It was a time to slow down, to have some quality time with friends, to spend time at the park district pool, and go on vacation. On the other hand, I was always excited that the school year was getting ready to begin.

As a parent (and high school teacher), I embraced the summer. I spent quality time with my kids and introduced them to “kid courses” at the local community college, spent time with my mother and her garage sales and explorations, and then, closer to the end of the summer, worked on units and lesson plans for the coming year.

In the past 10 to 15 years, I have noticed an increasing number of articles coming through my social media, blogs, and emails about scheduling the summer with your children and lists of things to do with your children to limit their time on the electronics.

But what about adults?

I miss my impromptu summer activities and my planned summer activities: planning to go to the pool with friends, knocking on someone’s door to go on a bike ride, or sitting on a rainy day playing a never-ending game of rummy.

I have always been a great “I’d like to do this or that this summer.” kind of person, but without a plan, the summer races past me and I have not clicked off anything on my “wanna do” list.

This year I plan to take two ideas and smash them together.

IDEA ONE: Give each day of the week a theme. (I found this on several Mommy blogs, but why can’t it work for adults.)

IDEA TWO: A “this” summer specific list with categories. (A version of the bucket list.)

It’s a list of things you want to accomplish within a certain time period. I think, it originally focused on what you wanted to accomplish before you died.

BUT, why do we have to think that far ahead. I want to focus on only three months: June, July, and August. (And what I do from today through May 31 doesn’t count.)

Want to follow mine? Great.

Want to create your own? Great.

Either way, I’m finding it important to identify things I want to accomplish so that when I say “I don’t know what to do.” or “I’m bored.” or “There’s nothing to do.” I have a plan of attack.

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My directions: List at least 3 things under each category. Why? Because you have three months. If one activity fits in multiple categories, it can only be added to one.

Day of the Week Themes:

MONDAY: Makin’ It Monday (What craft can I work on today?)

TUESDAY: Tasty Tuesday (What new food can I make or try?)

WEDNESDAY: Walking Wednesday (Where can I take a hike or long walk?)

THURSDAY: Thirsty Thursday (Maybe a drink — maybe knowledge)

FRIDAY: Fun Friday (What can I do that is fun? Garage sale anyone?)

One new experience:

One place to visit:

• Country Music Hall of Fame
• Nashville Zoo
• Participate in one of the Nashville Haunted Tours

One thing you like to do at least once during the summer:

• fire works
• Mini-golf
• go fishing

One thing to learn:

• re-learn my Spanish
• how to make a t-shirt quilt
• how to play violin by ear

One activity you remember from childhood but haven’t done since:

• join the library adult summer reading program
• run through the sprinkler
• Spend a whole day playing cards

One thing that many people would only do with a child in tow:

• play in the fountains at Centennial Park
• Jump in one of those Jump parks
• swing on a park swing and/or climb on the monkey bars

Try one new food or recipe:

• breakfast item
• grilled item
• instapot item

One thing you’ve done before but want to do again:

• see a movie at a drive-in movie theater
• spend time star-gazing
• kayaking

Things you just want to add that don’t fit in any category, my category already has three items, or I want to repeat often:

• Visit the driving range
• Picnic breakfast
• Picnic lunch
• Picnic dinner
• Make s’mores
• Go on a hike
• Go camping
• Enjoy homemade popsicles
• Explore Columbia, TN – especially all the shops on the square
• Go garage saling
• Pickers Creek winery
• Muletown pottery ladies night
• The Parthenon in Centennial Park
• Full day bike ride
• Explore a new restaurant
• Leave “Happiness Rocks” everywhere
• Make my perfect summer playlist
• Go geocaching

What would you add? At a lost as to what to add to your list? Do a Google or Pinterest search.

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This article was first published on Medium.com on May 20, 2019. “What Will You Do This Summer?“

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Thanks for reading.

AND

As you move through your day-to-day activities and responsibilities, please remember to

Live Life –

Keep Things Simple –

Look for the Positive –

AND

Smile.

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