I love summer. The days feel optimistic, life is less scheduled and there are endless blue skies (something I crave all winter). It’s one of my favorite seasons of life because the days often feel happy, fun and carefree.
Friday marks the start of Memorial Day weekend in the US, aka the three day weekend that is the unofficial kickoff of the summer season. So while I should be answering emails, editing photos and brainstorming content, my mind is daydreaming about the summer that will be.
In no particular order, here is my summer bucket list, though these are actually more like goals, and advice to myself. Maybe you will find it inspiring for your summer as well.
1 // Be Present.
This is perhaps the biggest goal I’m setting, and the hardest. I am a very easily distracted person, and I tend to hyper-focus on something when I’m working on it. This is especially true when my phone or lap top is out. I want to do better at setting boundaries for those things, and maybe use them a little less so I will be more present this summer. We only get so many summers with our kids at home, and I don’t want my children to think I am more interested in my own projects than them. Because I’m not.
2 // Be Outside.
Oregon is one of the most beautiful states in the union, in my humble opinion, and it definitely shows off in the summertime. It is green and lush, teeming with energy and life because everyone heads outdoors to make the most of the short season. The nights are warm and the sunsets are beautiful. There are endless trails and urban streets to be hiked. I want to be out for walks, on my bike, get my feet in a river, and take at least one camping trip.
3 // Do what my kids are doing.
This is never an easy one for me. As my kids get older (my eldest turns 10 this summer, my middle is 7, and my ‘baby’ is 5), I feel their childhood slipping through my fingers. It’s normal, and to be expected, but it’s bittersweet and it drives me to want to use the time I have with them now in the best ways I can. I don’t want to coexist with them this summer, which is very easy and almost my default, especially in the presence of technology for either party. Instead, I want to be outside with them, be present with them, listening, seeing, watching, conversing, investing in them. On a practical level this may look like more card games, board games, reading, wrestling, and maybe some other things. I am not talking about entertaining them around the clock, or really at all, but instead engaging them on a regular basis each day.
4 // Shop less.
Am I allowed to say this on a style blog? I feel like I’ve been spending a lot of time shopping (online) lately, and in a few more weeks after we get into the thick of summer, I want to settle in to my closet and enjoy wearing what I have instead of always thinking about the ‘next.’
5 // Repeat outfits.
I used to be really good about this, but somewhere along the way I started overthinking it. In the name of easy summer living, I give myself permission to freely and frequently repeat outfits, jumpsuits and dresses. I hope you don’t mind.
6 // Sell and buy a house.
Our family is rapidly outgrowing our small home, and our hope this summer is to sell our house and buy one a little bigger within approximately a 30 day escrow window. Tall order, right? We have our three kids sharing one bedroom (!!) and I am anxious for them to get a little more space along with a backyard. They are happy clams and are content with our space, but Mr. Seasons and I are ready for a little bit more elbow room. If I think about it too much, it all feels very stressful. But I am holding on loosely to my ideas and ‘musts.’ Continued prayer has brought me a lot of peace and patience for the process.
7 // Live in the moment.
I am a planner to a tee. I don’t know my Enneagram number (3, 4, 1??) but I do know I like to control my surroundings and constantly make plans for the future. Unfortunately, this means sometimes I miss what is right under my nose. I am striving to enjoy more things while they’re happening instead of mentally moving on to the next. (Aka, “when I’m on that vacation,” or “in that new house,” or “after I buy X,” etc.)
8 // Entertain more.
My dear husband is a social butterfly, which makes hosting a lot of fun. However, due to #6 and aforementioned small space, I tend to constantly shy away from it. I worry our house will feel too crowded, I wonder what people will think, I fret about the food, etc. But life is too short to live in those fears and without hosting friends. This summer I am pledging to entertain more. I’ll let pride die and love flourish on this one.
9 // Read + relax.
Two of of my favorite things, which I unfortunately tend to put off until everything else is finished. Perhaps prioritizing them would be better. I especially love them together and in the sun, or on the couch with a glass of wine. #summergoals
10 // Learn + listen.
The weird thing about getting older (I’m 36) is realizing how much I don’t know. And how many things I once thought about so concretely may not be so black and white. Whether it’s about running a business, faith systems, social justice and beyond, I love to continue to learn. My favorite vehicles for that are podcasts, books and conversations. I enjoy diving in, learning more and wrestling through the things that give our lives meaning, purpose, and how they all intersect with others. As I learn, my goal is to continue to listen to the voices of others, those smarter than me, different than me. This summer while I’m frolicking and having fun I want to remember to learn and listen as well.
I am a new reader of your blog but I really like it, and think this is a great list. I’m jealous of it! Both my spouse and I work at 9-5, office-based jobs, and as a result, summer doesn’t feel much different than the rest of the year, and it gets me down sometimes. I so wish the United States would provide more generous leave. I also stress a lot about putting my big kid in day camp for 90 percent of the summer (though he loves it and is already talking about it). My bucket list goal is to try to enjoy the time I do have with my family (camping trip planned for August, and visits with grandparents in July), and turn off my anxieties about things I haven’t completed around the house (laundry, lawn mowing/weeding, renovation projects, etc.). Also, to read on my porch swing (with a glass of wine!) much more often in the evenings, and to focus my thrifting on quality pieces I can wear in many ways.
Laura, it sounds like you have a great perspective and your strategy is all dialed in! A porch swing sounds so amazing, I’m totally jealous! We have very little outdoor space, and that bums me out in the warmer months. I agree, I think our perspective on work as a nation, is off. In other countries they tend to value leave and sabbaticals more than we do. Rest goes a long way for regeneration.
I sometimes miss working outside the home, and I imagine that you are extra intentional with the time you DO have with your kids. I tend to take it for granted and get lazy, hoping this list keeps me in gear for the summer. Thanks for sharing a peek into your world!
Thank you for this post! I could basically take all of these points and make them my own. Except for #8. I’m the social one and my husband likes solitude. Ha! My kids are almost 10 and 7 as well, and although I don’t have a third, I feel time slipping away far too quickly. I’ve never felt the need to entertain my kids and would way rather connect over a game of UNO or even reading side by side on the back deck. However, I find it super hard to stop the “must dos” and sit and relax with the kids. It will be my summer goal to do this!
I’ve been reading your blog forever and I love the combination of style and life posts. Your blog (and style bee) are the only ones I read on a regular basis and I always enjoy the articles you link in your weekly roundup. I also love your chill 70s style and I often look back at old reviews and styling ideas when I’m considering adding a new piece to my wardrobe. I’ve never taken the time to comment (writing is not my strong suit), but wanted you to know that I appreciate the time and effort you put into your blog. Thank you!!
Thank you for this wonderful comment Charis!! I love hearing from long time readers, your feedback means so much! I’m so honored to be able to give you wardrobe input as needed, and I’m glad you like the personal posts too. I love reading Style Bee. Lee is wonderful, she and I try to connect on a regular basis as real-life (online) friends. Her blog is one of my very favorites.
I’m glad you can relate to the ‘to do’ list drive. The struggle is real!! I am going to have to re-read this post all summer to help me stick to these goals.
Andrea!! Thank you for sharing all of these ideas. I’m now inspired to revisit my values!
Best of luck on the house hunt — I know it’s stressful and full of up-down-up-down emotions (David and I just went through it last Fall after living in our NE Portland home for 13 years)! The perfect opportunity will appear (just when you’re about to give up – ha)! We now live in a neighborhood where we’d never stepped foot in before and it’s like it was made for us. Adventure awaits!
Thank you for this Katy!!!
Thank you for this post! You reminded me about the importance of setting intensions and goals even when we are talking about most careless time of the year! My list is really similar to yours, I am also on a house-hunt! wish you good luck!
Yes, I think intention is key! I am glad you can relate Olga. Best of luck with your house-hunt, it can be full of ups and downs, can’t it??
Two things:
Re: 3 — I don’t have kids, but my husband and I are really close to neighbors whose three girls have the same age spread as your kids. I remember when the oldest turned 10 — TEN! So old!!! — and now she’s 15, and it feels like she’ll be going off to college so soon. And the youngest, whom we’ve known since she was nine months old, is now ten and smart and articulate and mature, which is crazy. Etc. I know I’m not helping with your feelings about your kids growing up…just commiserating.
Re: 6 — it always sounds impossible to find someone to buy your house in the same timeframe as finding a house you want to buy, but it just always works out. It just does. (Btw, the last time we sold a home, we closed on a Monday but needed the proceeds to pay for the new place that we were closing on the Friday before, so we were really glad we already had a home equity line of credit in place that we could use as a bridge loan with no paperwork to do or anything.) Good luck! But it will work out, because it always does.
Hi Devon! Yes, you totally get the kid growing up thing. It’s such an honor to have a front row seat to watch them grow up, huh? Whether they are yours or ones close to you. It’s such a reminder that life stops for no one. Beautiful and bittersweet.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for the house encouragement!!!