My 2018 Summer Bucket List

Summer Bucket List

In last week’s June letter to the editor, I talked some about my desire to live with intentionality. I want to do more than just let life happen; I want to actively captain the ship, so to speak.

Perhaps my vigor to live with intention has intensified with the birth of my daughter. Unbelievably, she turns one tomorrow. And I am seeing her develop such a sense of curiosity and adventure and interest in everything around her. So, I want to make the most of these moments. I want to create a treasure trove of memories with her. Memories of the big, bold, daring type, as well as memories of the small, quiet, special type. She bring such joy to my life, and I want to do the same for her.

With all that in mind, I’ve created a summer bucket list! Now, of course, the traditional use of the term bucket list pertains to a list of items one wants to accomplish or experience before dying. In this case, obviously, these are things I’d like to do this summer.  Most are related to doing things with my daughter, but some are solely focused on me.

Side note: My friend Ali once called it a summer manifesto. I like that term. Whatever you call it, the point is to make one! So here’s mine…

Our 2018 Summer Manifesto

1. Make my daughter feel special on her birthday!

2. Create a new tradition between us.

3. Be a tourist in my own city with a staycation.

4. Give Elle her first snow cone.

5. Host a pool party

6. Take a trip to the mountains.

7. Go to the beach.

8. Have a picnic.

9. Try a new cocktail.

10. Do a finger painting project with Elle.

11. Improve my Spanish language skills.

12. Bake cookies.

13. Take a road trip.

14. Try a new workout.

15. Plan an afternoon with my girlfriends.

16. Slow down.

17. Blow bubbles with Elle.

18. Go to a baseball game.

19. Set my phone aside for a full 24 hours.

20. Make my house a home — hang art, get organized, etc.

21. Read a NYT bestseller book. Bonus points for fiction, since I always gravitate to nonfiction!

22. Watch the sunset.

23. Surprise a stranger by paying for their coffee.

24. Make a scrapbook / photo album.

25. Enjoy ice cream with Elle.

While I could keep going, I’ll finish the list there. The idea is not to overwhelm myself, but rather set intentions for how to spend our time and how to act day to day. That way, when opportunities present themselves, I’ll say YES! Or when free time is available, I have some ideas for what to do.

As my friend Amy Tan says, craft a life you love. We certainly can’t control everything about our life. But we can sure shape the path with our daily intentions. Little by little, choice by choice, moment by moment, we can create a life we love — one in which we are happy and proud of how we have lived.

Your summer bucket list

Having shared my list, what’s on your summer bucket list? Do you have any tips for activities to do with youngsters? I’d love to hear! Let me know your plans.

Now, let’s all have a great summer!