Don’t Waste Your Summer: Make a List of Activities to Do

Do you hate it when the summer is over and you have the nagging feeling that it passed you by? Well, don’t waste your summer. Make a list. Make a list of the things you want to accomplish this summer. Don’t worry about being able to accomplish all of it. Start off a list of your desires, you can always add to it later. Cross off items as you accomplish them. Keep it on your refrigerator, or carry it with you in your wallet. At the end of the summer, see how much you’ve accomplished! Or in my case, see how much you could have accomplished!

When I was teaching college, I had a more mature student who was looking forward to the summer off. We had a conversation about why and I found out that she had a list of things she wanted to accomplish. I asked her what was on the list. She said, you know little things like go to the library, read 3 good books… So ever since, I have created a summer accomplishment list. Some years are better than others. I have to admit there are some years I look at the list at the end of the summer and wish I did more and wonder why I didn’t. But mostly, I am happy with the summer’s accomplishments. I no longer teach nor do I have summers off to look forward too or catch up on tasks. I do have two little girls to keep up after and run around with who basically tire me out, but I still make the list. Here is an example of some things that are on my list this year:

1. go to the library
2. go to the drive-in
3. read a good book (3 if possible, definitely at least 1)
4. paint my nails
5. 1 week summer vacation at Massanutten
6. attempt three small weekend get aways with family
Holiday World
Louisville
The Creation Museum
7. have a picnic
8. go to the park
9. volunteer for VBS
10. see a block buster movie with my husband, he loves movies!
11. attempt a date night once a week
12. clean out the closets
13. have a garage sale and get rid of the baby items and things in storage
14. sell stuff on ebay
15. take photos to document our house for insurance purposes
16. start those scrap books
17. organize my photos – do this before item #16
18. clean spots on carpet
19. find a great summer garage sale deal, try to top the free table and chairs from last year!
20. get a pedicure
21. use my coupon for a massage – set that appointment now!
22. loose weight – take a walk each day
23. plant a garden
24. go to a free kids movie at least once
25. take time with the girls to appreciate the small things
26. catch lightening bugs
27. progress my home business to the next level
28. have friends over for a cook out
29. try to spoil a friend at least once every other week, at least do something nice on purpose
30. phone a friend I haven’t talked to in a long time, catch up. Do this more than once!
31. write a letter instead of emailing
32. give my husband the day off
33. bake something
34. go to the state fair
35. watch fireworks
36. watch a concert from lawn seats, take the girls
37. play in the rain
38. have a tea party with friends
39. play with bubbles
40. fly a kite at the park
41. exercise – go for a walk in water twice a week (swimming)
42. make art
43. take photos for fun
44. play miniature golf and win!
45. make homemade ice cream
46. see a 4th of July parade
47. attend a fair or festival I have never been too
48. make a new mom friend
49. go to the zoo
50. get our stone wall fixed

There you have it, my fifty items to accomplish this summer. I will not get them all done and I hope to add to the list as I think up new ideas. Some ideas make it to the list every year; others are carryovers from past years that didn’t get accomplished. Some are simple, while some are necessities. I try not to spend too much money on these diversions, but some do cost more than others. My list is geared towards my life as a mom, with two little girls at home. Your list might be more exciting; I can only imagine the possibilities! What can you accomplish? Well, make a list and at the end of the summer, you will know what you can accomplish in one summer’s time. Hopefully you will not look at the list in September and wish you had done more. But then, that is what your list for the next summer is all about; you’ll have a head start!