10 summer bucket-list ideas
With today being the first official day of summer, I thought it would be only fitting to list out what I am wanting to do this summer, and hopefully give you some inspiration for those days when you have a little free time and want to enjoy the summer air. Some of these items are fairly specific, so if you find yourself in the Lincoln or Omaha area, this will be perfect for you! However if not, please use this as a guide to your summer bucket-list :)
Comment below which idea is a “must do” for you!
SUMMER BUCKET-LIST:
Go hiking + find new walking trails.
Nebraska suggestions:
Platte River State Park with 1-3 miles of trails [Louisville]
Halsey National Forest, with 3 mile trail(s) [Halsey]
Pine Ridge Trail System, with 80+ miles of trails [Chadron]
Fontenelle Forest, with 19 miles of hiking and 28 different trails [Bellevue]
Scotts Bluff National Monument, with 1.7+ miles of trails [Gering]
Create a mood-board for what you want your summer to look like or a goal you want to accomplish: cut out inspiration pictures from online, magazines, newspapers etc and get creative! Pinterest is a great place to start when planning out what you want to do, potential trips you want to take, or refreshing foods you want to make.
Plan a picnic with your friends + bring fun food, drinks, and games. I have been wanting to do one of these forever, and this summer I am going to make it happen. Dressing up cute, bringing fun little treats, taking fun pictures, and most of all spending a technology-free evening with your most dear friends sounds like the best kind of night.
Go to a drive in movie. Pack your car full of your loved ones, blankets, and most importantly movie snacks and head to the closest drive in movie theater.
Nebraska suggestions:
Quasar Drive-In [Valley, NE]
Falconwood Park [Bellevue, NE]
TK-Starlite Drive-In [Neligh, NE]
Camp in your backyard, or in a (safe) area near you. Camping doesn't have to be done far from home, but by setting up a tent, roasting marshmallows + hotdogs over a fire, and spending some time catching up with those around you, it might feel like you are miles from home. Let’s find more moments this summer that bring you back to those camp days you had growing up.
Support small businesses in your area. One of my favorite ways to do this is by going to the farmers market because there are so many opportunities to buy from small farms, vendors, and food trucks where you can see first-hand where your money is going back to. It is a great opportunity to connect with people in your area, or gain inspiration on how you can give back to your community. I also love to try new coffee shops in the small towns around me, because they always offer such a unique experience and give you a reason to sit down, enjoy some coffee and a baked treat, and slow down the pace of your busy life.
Try something new! For me this summer, this looks like renovating a 1975 camper which requires me to learn new skills in regards to woodworking, construction, and overall trial and error. Along with this, I am also starting to take online courses in an area that has always sparked so much interest for me. Even though summer can be a time for relaxation and taking a break from your studies, learning new things, regardless of your age, is extremely beneficial for not only your body but your mind. Every time we challenge ourselves to learn something new, we literally add years to our lives. So if you take anything away from this, let it be that you are never too old to learn something new.
Reach out to friends and invite them to go with you on a Saturday morning walk. One thing that I’ve always noticed is that when people want to connect, they always suggest going out to eat, getting coffee, or drinks. Although there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, I think we should also normalize spending time with your friends doing physical activities, such as a pottery, art or new exercise class. You would be surprised by the amount of free yoga or exercises classes happening the parks and small businesses near you. Let this be the summer of spending money on experiences, rather than things.
Don’t work for the weekends. This summer I am spending a majority of it working, however, I am also beginning to plan events with others during the week. I think summer is the best time to utilize the weekdays, rather than waiting for the weekends. Weekends fill up fast with weddings, birthdays, holidays or events. However, the weekdays are sometimes the best for breaking up the week, and allowing a breath of fresh air into your daily schedule, no matter how rigid or relaxed it may currently be.
Emerge yourself in a good book. Whether is reading a good book in a park, on my patio, or on the couch, I never have regretting taking time out of my day to read. Unlike scrolling social media, reading allows you to refresh and use your mind through the reading of each page and the imagery you create based off of the information you are retaining.
I hope you enjoyed this list! Please tag me @baileyyseatonn on Instagram if you decide to try any of these activities out this summer! I’d love to see you you are spending your summer :)
with love, Bailey
