Summer always passes in the blink of an eye; August rolls around and you're left wondering where the time went. so I've been thinking about what to look forward to between now and the end of the season. There is a ton of research that says that if you have something in the future that you're looking forward to, you can borrow the anticipation of that thing to make you feel better now.
But after a spring that was an absolute whirlwind of travel from Savannah, and Disney World, to an unforgettable trip through Istanbul and Uzbekistan I’m ready to slow down and stay local. I love the simple freedom of this season, with its longer days and warmer nights. Life is better without a cardigan ruining my outfit. After so much time spent packing suitcases and sitting on airplanes, my goal for the next few months is to play tourist in my own backyard and fully embrace everything my city has to offer.
I even took Friday off to guarantee a extra-long Memorial Day weekend to kick things off. Thursday I went to Zumba class, Friday caught the 10am Star Wars showing, then went to the Great Gatsby musical in the evening, Saturday morning I had yoga class, then later went to Orchestra Noir, Sunday I had Zumba class then hung out with my mom, Monday was my rest day to read and declutter.
In the past, creating a good old-fashioned summer bucket list was the perfect excuse to get out, discover new events, and intentionally enjoy the season. This year, I want to do it again. It’s all about finding small, simple ways to maximize the good stuff, create sweet memories, and ensure that when September hits, I actually have a great answer to, "So, what’d you do this summer?" If you’re looking to build your own, here is exactly what is on my list this year. But I have a feeling the moments that will actually stick might not even be on the list. They’re the random Friday nights.
