The Twenty Smthings'         Summer Bucket List

Every year, I find myself talking with my friends about what we can do to have an amazing summer. We hype it up all throughout the spring to help shake off the seasonal depression, but once summer comes, we find ourselves struggling to find things to do. So, this year, I sat down with a group of friends and we compiled a list for both your mental health and adventurous needs to make this summer the best one yet. 

Mental Health Bucket List:

The summer can be a great time to throw in some extra self care activities that the colder months don’t allow for. That being said, summer can also be a hectic time: weekend trips, family picnics, backyard parties, you name it. These are fun, but can take a toll on your stamina and social meter. Taking the time to do things for yourself is just as important. 

1. Get out into nature 

Take advantage of the warm weather! One of the best ways to relax is to disconnect from the online world and reconnect with the physical one. Here are just a few of the activities we decided are bucket list worthy: 

• Go for a walk

• Research local trails for hiking 

• Take yourself on a picnic 

• Do a sunrise stretch outside or at the park

• Go kayaking or paddle boarding 

2. Read a book 

If you are anything like me, you have a TBR list that grows far faster than it shrinks. Summer is the perfect time to put some work in on that list. Find a relaxing space where you can easily read for a little while. Feel like your schedule doesn’t allow it? Just 10 minutes or 10 pages a day makes a huge difference. 

3. Take yourself for coffee

Many of us may view driving to our favorite coffee shop, standing in line to order, and then waiting for it to be more of a task than self care. If that’s you, I challenge you to adjust your perspective. Instead of “I have to get coffee” attempt to adjust it to “I get to go for coffee”. It’s your favorite for a reason! Get it, savor it, and use that time as needed to take care of yourself. 

4. Try a new recipe

Cooking used to stress me out. I felt like I didn’t know what I was doing or that I was going to make a recipe wrong. Once I learned that taking your time to enjoy the process of creating something and viewing the final product as a reward for my hard work, I began to find it relaxing. Search up new recipes or whip out that one you've kept saved on Pinterest for 2 years. It’s worth the experiment! Once you’re done, you’ll feel that sense of accomplishment…if nothing else, you tried! 

5. Take your fitness outside 

Yes, we did mention this earlier, however, this kind of fits between the mental health section and the fun/experience section of our bucket list. If you want to take your outdoors bucket list to the next level, research local outdoor fitness classes near you. There are all kinds of options: 

• Sunrise yoga/stretch class 

• Guided hikes 

• Outdoor fitness classes (hilltop, lakeside, etc.) 

• Local groups for “hot girl walks” (many can be found on Facebook) 

Experience bucket list:

Summer comes with the thought of trips, excursions, local adventures, and experiences. We brainstorm all the cool ideas for our summers when it’s the dead of winter, but come June we tend to forget what our big plans even were. So here are a few ideas to do by yourself or with your friends and family this summer: 

1. Attend a farmer’s market 

If you haven’t been to a farmer’s market, I need you to pause reading this and go research where the closest one is to you and just go. This is my favorite way to support local businesses and get fresh produce in the summer months. Not to mention that each market is different. Explore your local ones to find which one you like best. 

2. Go flower picking

Whether you wait for sunflower season or find a local wildflower farm, flower picking is such a unique experience. Bringing flowers into your home immediately brightens any room. Instead of grabbing them from the grocery store, why not pick them yourself? Then each time you see them they aren’t just a pop of color but a fun memory you made. Not to mention it allows you to completely customize your bouquet. Please find a local farm that offers flower cutting. Do not just assume any flowers are for the taking. 

3. Friends night in 

As twenty-somethings, our societal norm seems to be going to the bar or the club all weekend downing countless drinks just to regret it in the morning. A night out can be fun, but we can’t forget about the nights in. Grab your friends, some games or a movie, and enjoy a fun evening from the comfort of your home. Plus, who said you can’t turn it into a slumber party? Last time I checked, sleepovers don’t have an age limit. 

4. Visit somewhere new 

I love discovering new gems in the surrounding areas. Discovering there is something new to do often feels like its own little surprise. This can be anything new: restaurants, parks, experiences like mini golf, etc. Feeling adventurous? See what’s not in your immediate area but close enough for a day trip. This doesn’t have to be new itself, just new to you. 

5. Buy the tickets 

Go see a show! Whether it’s a concert, play, musical, etc. whatever you’re into, buy the tickets! Personally, I grew up thinking that having the latest cool thing is what I would remember as an adult, but truly it’s the experiences I’ve had. This year, my friends and I decided we would make it a year of experiences. Not all shows are expensive! One of the best concerts we went to this year was $17 at a very small venue. It was a night to remember! 

In hopes to keep this list adaptable, this list offers ideas that are customizable to the experience you want to have this summer. But we can’t help but share some of the specifics on our own lists for this summer: 

• Permanent jewelry - a great experience to do with best friends, siblings, significant others. 

• Coloring - such an easy way to decompress. 

• Keep a journal - Write about your experiences, days, conversations, ideas, or whatever you want to fill it with. 

• Cocktails and mocktails - Pick a theme and each guest is responsible for crafting their own cocktail/mocktail for the crew. (Great addition to friends night in). 

• Start a new healthy habit - what better time than the summer to start a new healthy habit? For example, meal prepping, a new workout routine, adding in a small step to your daily routine, investing in your skincare. 

• Pushing our comfort zones - This can be anything that pushes your personal comfort zone in a positive way. Personally, I will be ziplining this summer which is conquering a fear of mine. 

Whatever you choose to do this summer, make sure you are finding ways here and there to make it memorable and relaxing. Yes, we want our twenties to be some of the most amazing years, but we also don’t want to burn ourselves out (or our bank accounts for that matter). 

Interested in following along for how these twenty-somethings are spending the summer? Follow us on Instagram, Tiktok, or Facebook at thetwentysmthings. 

Happy Summer!