My Summer Bucket List

Ah, summer. I have a deep love/hate relationship with this season, and this year, I'm determined to make it one I'll always remember.

When I was a teenager, I was so impatient to be the age I am now, so i could do the things I always wanted to do, and couldn't at the time. Have I? No. Do I regret that? Yes. Am I trying to heal my inner teen a little bit? Absolutely.

Now, here's the thing. I need YOU to hold me accountable. I dream big, but tend stumble on the execution. If I have people reminding me, it might actaully happen!

My 2024 Summer Bucket List:

1. Go to the beach. <- DONE! I spent a week in Folly Beach with my family and it was awesome to see the Atlantic for the first time in twenty years. I got so sunburned and brought home lots of pretty shells.

2. Dye my hair. After a disaster of a bleach-and-dye attempt right before my 16th birthday, I've only ever ventured into highlights, and that was a awhile ago now. I'm thinking full head, crazy color, something I've never been brave enough to do.

3. Dance workouts. I HATE working out. I LOVE dancing.

4. Learn to make colorful, healthy meals. I'm talking VSCO-style acai bowls, summer salads, poke, tacos, ramen spicy enough to melt my face off. Maybe I'll share recipes?

5. Ice skate.

6. Go on a pottery painting date with a friend.

7. Buy and use sparkly eyeshadow. A staple of my look in the '10s. I think it's overdue for a revival.

8. Attend my first concert(s). I'm taking my brother to one of his favorite bands in July, and then in August my favorite group is playing a few towns over.

9. Learn how to grill.

10. Learn how to change my car's tires and oil. Nothing boosts my confidence like learning a practical life skill.

11. Get pedicures with crazy colors.

12. Buy a paddleboard. Despite living in the desert I get a lot of opportunity to paddleboard, and I want to be able to do it solo as well!

13. Treat myself. Remember those days of begging mom for a McFlurry in the back of her van? No more! I'm in the drivers seat now, and I'm stopping for a sweet treat.

14. Crochet a cardigan. I love crochet, but I'm always making stuff for other people. It's time for a self-indulgent project.

15. Write a book. Or, to clarify, finish the first draft of one of my many, many WIPS. I've laid the groundwork for several, now it's a matter of sitting my butt down and WRITING.

16. Love my friends and family fiercely. I haven't been there for people like I should. Depression has stolen a so much time that could've been spent with the people I adore, and that is going to change. I can't bring that time back, but I can make the most of what's in front of me now.

17. Pursue my faith. Read my Bible, pray, surround myself with like-minded people.

18. Read the guilty pleasure books. Dumb-looking fantasy that's been sitting on my TBR for 5+ years? No longer!

19. Binge the silly shows. Vampire Diaries. Once Upon a Time. Brooklyn Nine-Nine. All the shows I didn't have a streaming service for at 15.

20. Take myself to the movies.

21. Skydive

22. Make friendship bracelets

23. Get another piercing.

24. Hike in the White Mountains. A gorgeous place I've never visited.

25. Sing in the car at the top of my lungs to music I used to love. Still have every word memorized.

26. Visit 3 new coffee shops. And if they have stickers, add them to my laptop sticker collection.

27. DM a Dungeons and Dragons one-shot. Been a player for almost 2 years now, and I want to see what it's like on the other side of the screen!

28. Make smores.

29. Play card games around a bonfire

30. Ride a horse.

31. Sidewalk chalk drawings.

32. Do the things that will build my cool aunt lore. (Can't have my niece and nephew thinking I'm boring, now can I?)

33. Stay true to myself. Remember what I've seen has made me who I am, and not wish it away for the sake of memories that could have been.

There. Now I just have to do all those things ':D Here's to summer!