As the days lengthen, it’s time to shake off those winter blues and gear up for summer. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker craving adventure or on a path to leveling up your life through personal development, this summer can be filled with growth and possibilities.
This summer bucket list includes everything from a variety of experiences to activities that will infuse your summer with joy, adventure, and growth.
Why create a summer bucket list for self-improvement?
Summer has a way of slipping by all too quickly. By creating a bucket list, you’re actively savoring each moment, ensuring you make the most of the fleeting months ahead. It can also be an exciting way to switch up a mundane schedule and help challenge you to be more intentional. These months can help motivate you to do deep work on yourself, possibly quit a bad habit, and help take your life to the next level.
So, without further ado, here is a summer bucket list full of ideas for self-improvement.
Commute A Different Way To Work
If you have the option, try to challenge yourself to go a different way to work. Many of us get hooked on our habits, which causes us to succumb to life on a hamster wheel, repeatedly doing the same thing.
Driving a different way to work can offer a change of scenery, stimulate creativity, and potentially introduce new routes that are more time-efficient or less congested.
Break A Bad Habit
This is the summer to finally ditch that bad habit. Some everyday bad habits are having a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, skimping on sleep, excessive alcohol consumption, and poor diet.
What is something you can give up that future you will thank you for?
If giving up the habit is too overwhelming, focus on cutting back slowly. Change is hard but not impossible. Go easy on yourself, but remain focused on moving in the right direction.
Book A Last Minute Trip Somewhere
Booking a last-minute trip somewhere can inject spontaneity into life, provide a refreshing break from routine, and create unforgettable memories in unexpected destinations. Booking last-minute travel is exciting. For those of us who like to be in complete control all the time, booking last minute can help alter that thinking and foster a sense of adventure and exploration.
Traveling at the last minute may seem slightly chaotic, but it is also thrilling. It doesn’t mean you have to travel across the world; you could even make a day trip to a new place.
Do Something That Scares You
Purposely doing activities that can seem a little intimidating or scary can help you grow tremendously in your life. Trying something fearful doesn’t need to be massive; it can even be something simple, such as taking on a new project at work that you usually wouldn’t have raised your hand for.
Plan A Fun Picnic With Friends And Family
Planning a picnic can be a fun way to enjoy the outdoors with friends or family. Grab a picnic blanket and outdoor snack and cheese holder. With a well-planned menu, a creative location, and some fun activities, your picnic can be an enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
Aim To Move Your Body Every day for 30 Minutes
Each day challenge yourself to move your body in different ways.
Remember that you don’t need to work out strenuously within the same session. Mini movements or workouts throughout the day can be just as beneficial.
Take Up An Exciting New Hobby
Choose a skill or hobby you’ve always wanted to develop, whether it’s learning a musical instrument, mastering a new language, or honing your cooking abilities. Dedicate time each week to practice and progress towards mastery. New activities help keep our minds active and healthy.
Visit A National Park
So many beautiful national parks make up our country (if you live in the United States.) There are 429! Make a plan to hit at least one of them this summer. Being outside with nature can help us reset, gain clarity, and support our mental well-being.
Read One Personal Development Book (or more) Each Month During Summer
What I love about personal development books or nonfiction books is how much you can learn in a brief time.
When you consume a book, you absorb the information that could have taken someone 30 years to learn. But as the reader, you can take in all that knowledge in a matter of hours.
Books can help you make massive changes to your life if you are willing to put the information to good use.
Related: 50 Must-Read Personal Growth Books To Add To Your Reading List
Try Not To Complain For One Full Day
Yikes, this can be tough for many of us, but give it a try and see how it goes. You may realize how often you find fault with the way things unfold in your life.
Seek Out A Therapist
Before getting married, I wanted to discuss my personal challenges with a therapist. After reading the book Maybe You Should Talk To Someone, I decided it was time. If you’re trying to navigate something in your life and struggling to process it, seek a therapist in your area.
Many therapists also offer Zoom and regular calls, making it more convenient than ever to get the help you need.
Decrease Your Social Media Use
Although social media can be a great way to stay up-to-date with what our friends are doing, it’s also a good idea to take frequent breaks occasionally and call your friends or schedule a meet-up instead.
Swap Out A Fried Food Item For A Healthier Choice The Next Time You Are Out To Eat
Swap out that fried appetizer for a healthier choice the next time you dine out! Opt for a fresh salad, veggie sticks with hummus, or a fruit cup to start your meal on a lighter note. Your body will thank you for choosing a nutritious option that fuels your day without weighing you down.
Get Your Yearly Physical Scheduled
If you haven’t already had your physical this year, now is an excellent time to schedule it. It’s easy to put off your annual physical when feeling healthy. Yet, I can promise you that one of the best strategies you can have when it comes to your health is to be proactive, not reactive.
An annual physical helps to check your blood work and blood pressure and ensures no other underlying issues you’ve missed.
Spend Quality Time With Yourself
Spending time alone can foster self-reflection, recharge emotional energy, and cultivate a deeper understanding of oneself, increasing resilience and personal growth. Journaling or meditation helps you to slow down and reflect.
This habit is essential for your well-being, even if you are super busy.
Participate In A Beach Or Park Clean Up
One website where you can find opportunities to participate in park or beach cleanups is VolunteerMatch(https://www.volunteermatch.org/). They often list various environmental organizations or community groups that organize clean-up events in parks, beaches, and other outdoor areas. You can search for opportunities based on your location and interests and sign up to volunteer for upcoming clean-up activities.
Head To Your Local Library
If you are like me and live in an apartment or have a smaller home, you may not have ample space for books, but it should never be an excuse for not reading. Libraries are a great resource to get your hands on the latest books. Many towns and cities even allow you to choose a book from another location, and they will deliver it to the library branch closest to you.
Beautify Your Home
The environment you live in can have a tremendous effect on you and your well-being. Beautifying your home enhances your living environment, creating a space that reflects your personality and style while promoting a sense of comfort and belonging. A well-designed home can also positively impact mood and mental well-being, fostering relaxation, creativity, and a greater sense of pride in your surroundings, ultimately enhancing your overall quality of life.
Your space should bring you joy. So if it makes you feel otherwise, make yourself a list of things you could do to beautify your space.
Is it time to ditch the worn-out furniture?
Do you need to clean out a bunch of clutter?
Check out my other two articles below about creating a bright, airy bedroom and how you can get motivated to clean.
Related: 12 Ways To Create A Bright And Airy Bedroom You Love
Related: How To Get Motivated To Spring Clean
Start Every Meal Fruit Or Veggie Focused
I recently made a list of tips on how to get in amazing shape for summer.
I like to think of how I eat as a lifestyle, never as a diet or a quick fix. When you begin each meal, start by consuming your fruits or vegetables first. Starting meals with fruits and vegetables can boost nutrient intake, promote digestive health, and help control hunger and calorie intake by filling up on fiber-rich, nutrient-dense foods.
You can stay veggie and fruit-focused by incorporating a variety of colorful produce into your meals, experimenting with new recipes, and prioritizing plant-based options while minimizing processed foods and animal products.
There are numerous ways to prepare vegetables, so don’t use the excuse that they are boring, be willing to get creative.
Eat A Vegetarian Based Meal 2x’s A Week For Dinner
Reducing meat consumption can help reduce weight, lower blood pressure, and reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
There are many options, and if you’re willing to think outside the box, try new dinner options you may not have thought of before.
This habit can also help the environment. According to one study, If everyone in the U.S. decided to go without meat or cheese one day a week, it would have the same environmental impact as taking 7.6 million cars off the road.
Don’t be afraid to try new vegetarian options such as Seitan or tofu. You can even google how to make your own homemade veggie burgers.
Do Yoga Outside
Yoga is a great way to strengthen and stretch your body. Bringing a yoga mat with you on the go or when you travel can help you maintain your fitness goals.
Repeat Positive Affirmations To Strengthen Your Positivity And Mindset
Here are 40 examples of affirmations that can help you. Choose a few you love and repeat them to yourself every day this summer.
Challenge Yourself To Think From A Growth Mindset
Do you know the differences between a growth and a fixed mindset? When you work diligently to adopt a growth mindset, you believe you can improve at almost anything through practice, proper habits, effort, and self-development.
Maintaining a fixed mindset can lead to a lack of effort or motivation to attempt difficult tasks because you already believe that change isn’t possible.
Read my other article below to see how you can alter your thinking and adopt a growth mindset.
Related: How To Adopt A Growth Mindset And Revolutionize Your Career
Watch A TED Talk
Watching a TED Talk can inspire, educate, and broaden perspectives, offering valuable insights and innovative ideas that spark personal growth and ignite positive change. There are numerous videos on YouTube of people from all different walks of life. Each Ted Talk provides an inspirational, motivational speech.
Below are a few I recommend. When you have time and need some inspiration, be sure to take a look.
How To Stop Screwing Yourself Over | Mel Robbins
Cultivating Unconditional Self-Worth | Adia Gooden
Related: Powerful Life-Changing TED Talks For Women By Women
Ask Someone In Your Line Of Work To Be Your Mentor
A mentor can provide invaluable guidance, support, and wisdom, accelerating personal and professional growth while helping navigate challenges and opportunities with greater confidence.
They can also offer constructive criticism to help you gain more knowledge in your industry. A mentor doesn’t need to be older than you; it just needs to be someone who can help you progress.
Visit A Dermatologist
A brief appointment with a dermatologist can help stay ahead of atypical moles and other skin concerns and can help detect skin cancer early.
A full-body scan can make all the difference in your health.
For those of you who have blue eyes like me, we are the most susceptible.
I also made a list here, If you are unsure how often you should go to other health appointments.
*Additional tip: You may be surprised that your employer may support you using a sick day to attend these visits. It doesn’t hurt to ask. After all, a healthy employee is typically a harder-working employee.
Leave Your Cell Phone At Home And Take A Walk
Taking frequent breaks from your phone can offer a sense of clarity, and much-needed digital detox, allowing for deeper connection with nature and mindfulness in the present moment.
If you need your phone with you, you could go on airplane mode or turn it on silent.
Attend a Personal Development Workshop or Retreat
Seek out opportunities to attend workshops, seminars, or retreats focused on personal growth. Attending a workshop allows you to immerse yourself in an environment where you can learn from experts and connect with like-minded people who share the same values.
Host An Outdoor Movie Night
An outdoor movie experience with family or friends provides a unique opportunity to bond and create memories. Use a movie projector and round up your favorite snacks, like this movie night popcorn kit. The experience will build family connections and foster a sense of togetherness while viewing from an outdoor setting, which adds an extra layer of excitement and adventure.
Well, there you have it. What other ideas should we add to the summer bucket list? Drop your comments below and let me know what’s on your list this summer.
Come join me and the fam on Instagram here. I would love for you to be part of my community.
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