Confession: I’m not the biggest fan of summer.
I know; it’s a terribly unpopular opinion to have. But I’m a Seattleite at heart, forever and always, which means that I thrive on 50 degrees and cloudy with a chance of showers.
This wouldn’t be too much of a problem, except for the fact that summer in NYC pretty much lasts five months: May through September. And while my summertime strategy has often been to hide out and hope for cooler temperatures, I don’t want to be hiding for half the year. Plus, there are summertime activities that I’ve been known to enjoy, on those clear, 70 degree July days in the Pacific Northwest, blissfully free of humidity.
So. This is my list for making the most of my summer. Even if I’m a little reticent to embrace it. Because there are quite a few summertime activities that I’m actually looking forward to (instead of dreading), and I want to remember that. I’m planning to work my way through as many of these as I can, and update you on how they go.
My Somewhat-Big List of Summer Fun
Have a backyard barbecue in a Brooklyn backyardMarch in Pride (Already did this one! Go me!)Swim in a lake- Go to an outdoor concert
- Go to Puddin’
- Walk a doggy from the shelter
Go for a hikeMeditate with a sangha (Did this one, too!)- Go to Governer’s Island (I’ve never been!) for the Jazz Age Lawn Party
Sit in our community garden- Try a new yoga class
- Sample a Shiatsu massage
Go to Culture- Try reflexology
- Use that one gift card to buy a colorful piece of clothing that makes me feel happy when I wear it
- Host a sleepover!
- Go to Providence, RI and see WaterFire
Read the second and third Hunger Games books- Have friends over for dinner. Make pie (or crisp, perhaps?) for dessert.
- Make this salad
- See a modern dance or ballet performance
- Make coffee ice cubes
- Play a board game
- Hang out on our stoop (with plenty of bug spray slathered on)
Celebrate Bastille Day on Smith Street in BrooklynRecord a short video- Pick fruit
- Create a signature drink. Name it something awesome.
I could clearly have listed tons more options of things to do. But like I say to my coaching clients, I’d rather keep things manageable and do-able than epic and overwhelming. I can always add to my list if I happen to get to the end before summer’s over.
Comments: I would LOVE to know if you have any summertime activities you’re aiming to do. Feel free to share here, or share a link to a list you post somewhere else.
Love this! During the summer we write activities on slips of paper and then pull them out of a bag whenever we find ourselves being lazy inside when it’s sunny outside. So far we’ve played tennis, gone to a SIFF film, and gone to the driving range. I’m looking forward to some of the ones still waiting especially wild waves, the horse races, and Coleman pool.
This list is inspiring Kylie! I love how it seems centered on nurture/nourish/connection & pleasure.
Last summer was formative… full so shifts and preparations that I didn’t know were preparations at the time… And I’m feeling reflective (hmmm, usually a fall/winter thing for me!) So I think I will start with that!
Also. LAKE SWIM
I have not done this in maybe 20 years (OH MY. THAT LONG) And just did a few weeks ago in the mountains!!! So awesome. So happy. Even and maybe especially because I am not really a swimmer!!!
Terra: I LOVE that! Also, you’re making me want to visit Seattle so badly. Stop that right now.
Mel: Hm; you’re right about it being centered on nurturing sorts of things. I didn’t notice that before. Summer reflection sounds wonderful. A lake swim in the mountains? How totally gorgeous. Really glad it was great for you.
Ah, summer. So delicious in these parts. I love your list! Its brilliant to write it down. My list: go out on the sparkly water in a boat, sew a few projects, knit a few baby sized things for all the fresh little people I’m about to meet, spend real time with the slightly less new small people that I miss, roast tomatoes as soon as they arrive, eat lots of strawberries (in progress), do yoga twice a week, read lots of children’s literature, and… top it all off with some vows, a party and a week at the beach. After that, summer is officially over for this teacher, but if I have any energy left after getting ready for the school year, I hope to go camping on the Olympic Peninsula in early September. enjoy your list!
Most of my summer energy has to go toward job hunting, and most travel I do has to be related to a potential move, so I’m a little bummed out about that. That said, I have tickets to a music festival the first weekend of August, and I’m trying to make it out to the beach more than I have in the past few years. I’ll have to come up with some other activities to try this summer.
Louise: Your summer agenda sounds BRILLIANT. Woooohoo!
Ben: Beach trips and music festivals? I can barely thing of more summery things. And methinks that even pre-move travel has great potential for stopping to smell the flowers/see the roadside attractions. Whee!