I spent hours carefully crafting lists at the beginning of every summer — fuelled by Pinterest inspo photos and coming-of-age films. In big bold letters at the top would read, “100 Things to Do This Summer.” I was creating the perfect season; a way to make sure I made the most of every minute, written down in various brightly coloured markers. Go to a Drive-In movie and Build a Fort were yearly staples. Something in the intentionality of making the list solidified my determination to make memories — good ones — even if the lists were never fully completed.
Over the years we lost the intentionality of walking into a new season. I find people cruising through their summers: working, studying, seeing friends, but not truly experiencing summer. Or we find ourselves planning those moments, only to view them from behind a camera lens instead of being present. Letting go of summer bucket lists caused us to let go of the simple pleasures and unending adventures summer has to offer, allowing ourselves to be sucked into the daily motions until we’re drowned out by the rain. Instead of capturing moments for our socials, number 100 on our summer bucket lists should be cultivating memories for our souls.
