How to ACTUALLY Have the Best Summer Ever
Let's be real, how many times have you looked back in September and thought, "Where did my summer go?" You blinked and it was over. If that sounds familiar, you're not alone. When life gets busy, summer tends to pass on autopilot, and the first things to fall off the list are usually the fun stuff: the self-care, the adventures, the little moments that actually fill your cup.
This year, we're changing that. Here are five simple tips to help you make the most of the next few months and have your best summer yet.
1. Gather Your Plans (and Find New Ones)
Start by jotting down the events and commitments you already have. Think about birthdays, trips, kid activities, anything already on the books. Then look for ways to fill in the gaps with something fun.
Check Facebook Events, local mom groups, your county or state parks website, or blogs from creators you love. Think less expensive vacation, more unique experience. There are so many ways to sprinkle joy throughout the season without it being a huge production.
2. Turn Your List Into a Summer Bucket List
Now that you have your ideas, it's time to make them official. A bucket list gives your summer intention and it's a goal list for the season, not just a wish list.
You can keep it simple with a checklist, create a vision board, or try something a little more fun: a summer bingo card. All you need is a piece of printer paper, a ruler, and your favorite stickers. Draw out a 5x5 grid, add a title at the top, and fill in your squares with summer goals. Some from sticker sheets, some written by hand for the things that are uniquely yours (like "read three books" or "try that new hiking trail").
Tape it right into your planner so it's always with you. You can also make it digitally in Google Docs or Canva and print it out, whatever works for you. The point is to make it yours. If you want to see the full process of how we made our bingo card, check out our YouTube Video.
3. Scrapbook as You Go
Here's the part that makes all of this feel really special: document it. When you check something off your bucket list, celebrate it by adding a photo, a note, or a little washi tape moment to your planner or journal.
Most of us are chronic photo takers whose pictures live on our phones forever. Scrapbooking gives you a reason to actually print them, revisit your favorite highlights, and add the little details you'll forget by September. It doesn't have to be elaborate; a printed photo, a sticky note, a few stickers. This is self-care disguised as planning, and it's a beautiful way to stay motivated.
4. Schedule Your Check-Ins
Now you might be asking: when am I supposed to find time for all of this?
The answer: schedule it. Every two weeks, block off just 10 to 15 minutes for a bucket list check-in. Use that time to add photos, jot down notes, see what you've accomplished, and look ahead at what might need planning a few weeks out. That way you're not scrambling in August trying to fit everything in at the last minute.
Ten minutes might not sound like much, but once you're in it, looking back at all the fun you've already had, you probably won't want to stop. And remember: anything counts as progress. This is your list, and it's allowed to evolve. If something no longer fits your budget or your priorities shift, swap it out without guilt.
5. Find an Accountability Partner
You don't have to share your bucket list with the whole world but tell at least one person. An accountability partner makes a real difference when you're trying to be intentional about your time. It could be a spouse, a friend, a family member, or even someone from our free bloom community group, where there are plenty of friendly planners who would love to cheer you on.
Check in with them as you go. Share your scrapbook pages. Celebrate your wins together. If your family is part of the bucket list, get the kids involved in the memory-keeping too! Give them their own journal to document the summer alongside you. These are the kinds of things they'll want to look back on for years.
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