No more excuses for an average summer… A Summertime Challenge
It’s here. Unless you’re the purist in the crowd who insists that it isn’t summer until the planet says it’s summer, it’s here as of Memorial Day weekend. (Purists get a pass until summer solstice).
I’m assuming anyone reading this post is at least chronologically a grownup. And as a grownup in these crazy busy times, it’s become way too easy to let a perfectly good summer slip by.
Many of us won’t even notice it’s summer until it’s almost over. Don’t be that person. That person is way too busy to have some summertime fun.
Remember when summer was the best time ever? The time of the year we lived for?
I recently read a post that suggested that we only have eighteen summers. That’s it. Then summers are over for good. Really? Says who?
Sure, once being a free-spirited kiddo is over, then come the grownup years of, here goes… responsibilities, obligations, jobs, expectations, money, and on and on. Uggh! Stop it. I’m feeling old and obligated right out of life itself.
This is not the way it has to be. No! No! No!
I made a list of things that I thought might be fun. Not being completely satisfied, of course I Googled it. Here are some gems carefully selected from a few hundred worthy ideas…
- Sleep with the windows open.
- Remember mix tapes? Originally inspired by road trips, mix tapes are the ultimate summer prep item. It’s okay to do a playlist instead. But do one.
- Which of course, leads me to… take a road trip. Pack light. Go in a car. Your destination must be some place new.
- Shake things up and sponsor a neighborhood challenge. You make the rules. Prizes to be awarded Labor Day weekend.
- Too risky? Host an open house for your neighborhood. I met a guy whose family did this once. It was so much fun for them it became a neighborhood tradition.
- Eat corn on the cob at least once. Butter is mandatory. Extra points if it’s on The Fourth of July.
- And speaking of The Fourth of July, find a small town with a real celebration. Take in the parade. Stay for the day. Don’t miss the fireworks. This is the real thing.
- Find a go-kart track and ride baby ride!
- Go to an outdoor concert. There are great free shows everywhere. Better yet, make it a music festival. Invite your friends who’ve been too busy to get to see.
- Rent a convertible for a weekend. Don’t forget the sunscreen.
- Go somewhere new. Get lost. GPS home.
- Go on a date to see the sunrise. (Or a sunset if you’re a sleepyhead).
- Can’t make it to the beach this year? Build a sandcastle anyway… in your driveway.
- Think of something you loved to do when you were a kid. Go do that again.
- In a pinch, here are some old standards…
- Go to a drive-in movie
- No drive-in? Outdoor movies are good too
- Sleep under the stars
- Learn some constellations
- Go to the zoo
- Ride a bike
- Plant some flowers
- Visit a farmer’s market
- Take a nap in a hammock (Thanks, Lou!)
- Read a trashy novel (just checking to see if you’re still here)
- Have a cookout. Really, did I need to say this one? I’ll bring dessert.
- And the very best for last – Do absolutely nothing at all for one whole day. Nada. Nothing. Enjoy it… I’m sure you’ve earned it.
And now for the challenge…
Accept it and you’re guaranteed to have an awesome summer.
Envelope please.
Rip. Rip. Shuffle. Shuffle.
Take a photo-a-day of the best part of your summer day. Do this every day, without fail. It will motivate you to have a fun and interesting summer. Guaranteed.
Then again, you might have 90-some uninspired photos. It’s up to you, my untucked friend.
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Great motivation and a great list! Thank you.
I would add one more: lay and it take a nap in a hammock. Bi do this quite often!