The older I get, the more I realize that the summers I remember aren’t just the expensive vacations or perfectly planned weekends. They’re the random Tuesday night ice cream runs, the conversations that lasted longer than expected, the afternoon spent exploring a new park, and the moments when I put my phone down long enough to actually be present.
More importantly, it feels like so many of us are craving a slower, more analog life, more 90s style summers.
We’re buying books again. Browsing libraries. Meeting friends for coffee instead of sending voice notes. Looking for hobbies that don’t involve a screen. Wanting memories we can actually remember instead of just documenting.
So this year, I decided to create a summer bucket list that feels realistic.
No pressure to become a new person.
No expectation that you’ll check off every box.
No expensive flights required.
Just 30 simple ways to get out of the house, try something new, connect with people you love, and enjoy the season a little more intentionally.
Think of this as your permission slip to romanticize your life a little.
Buy the flowers.
Take the train ride.
Wear the outfit.
Watch the sunset.
And most importantly, don’t let summer pass by while you’re watching everyone else live theirs through a screen.
Slow Summer Moments
1. Buy a magazine and read it cover to cover during a pedicure.
Remember magazines? I think I am the only person who consistently still buy magazines! Sometimes it’s a one-pot recipe magazine, seasonal decor or one of my favorites, Northern Virginia. Pick one up the next time before heading to the salon and enjoy reading something that doesn’t require a password, notification, or Wi-Fi signal.
2. Start a one-line-a-day summer journal.
You don’t need pages of reflection. Just one sentence each day can become a beautiful snapshot of your summer.
3. Sit on your porch, patio, or balcony for 30 minutes with no distractions.
No scrolling. No multitasking. Just sit outside and notice what’s happening around you.
4. Watch the sunset without taking a picture.
Let yourself experience a beautiful moment without feeling the need to document it.
5. Make a recipe from a cookbook instead of Pinterest.
Dust off a cookbook and try something that catches your eye. Bonus points if it’s one you’ve owned for years but never opened.
6. Spend a day doing absolutely nothing.
No errands, projects, or productivity goals. Sometimes rest is the most productive thing you can do.
7. Buy yourself flowers.
Fresh flowers have a way of making an ordinary week feel special. Pick up a bouquet just because.
8. Print your favorite photos from the summer.
Choose a handful of memories and make them tangible. Future you will appreciate it.
9. Visit your local library.
Browse the shelves, check out a book, or simply enjoy a quiet afternoon in a space designed for curiosity. If you didn’t know, you can even rent e-books from your library, too!
10. Eat ice cream from a local shop.
Skip the grocery store pint and support a local business while treating yourself.
Get Outside & Explore
11. Explore a nearby town for the day.
Pick a place you’ve always driven past and spend the day wandering its shops, restaurants, and side streets.
12. Spend a day exploring your own city like a tourist.
Visit a museum, walk a new neighborhood, or finally check out the attraction you’ve been saying you’ll visit for years.
13. Take a scenic train ride.
Sometimes the journey really is the destination. Bring a book, a coffee, and enjoy the view.
14. Go kayaking or canoeing.
Whether you’re gliding across a lake or floating down a river, it’s a refreshing way to spend a summer afternoon.
15. Go river tubing.
Grab some friends, sunscreen, and a cooler. It’s one of the easiest ways to embrace summer.
16. Watch fireworks.
Whether it’s a holiday celebration or a local event, there’s something nostalgic about ending a summer evening under the stars.
17. Take a sunset boat ride.
A boat ride at golden hour feels surprisingly luxurious, even when it’s simple.
18. Take a different route on your evening walk.
You never know what hidden streets, gardens, or local gems you’ll discover.
19. Go antiquing or thrift shopping.
Spend an afternoon treasure hunting. The fun is often in the search, not the purchase.
20. Attend a free outdoor concert.
Pack a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy live music under the summer sky.
Try Something New
21. Try a new fitness class.
Whether it’s yoga, barre, dance, or strength training, trying something different keeps things interesting.
22. Sign up for a workshop.
Learn a skill, meet new people, and challenge yourself to be a beginner again.
23. Attend a local meetup.
It can feel intimidating at first, but it’s a great way to connect with people who share your interests. Check out local Facebook groups or search via your zipcode for groups of interest on meetup.com
24. Try a hobby you’ve always said “one day” to.
Let this be the summer that “one day” finally becomes today.
25. Try something you’ve never done before.
It doesn’t have to be dramatic. Sometimes the smallest adventures become the most memorable stories.
26. Try afternoon tea.
Slow down for an hour or two and enjoy the experience of lingering over tea, pastries, and conversation.
27. Go to a rooftop bar you’ve never tried.
Order your favorite drink, enjoy the view, and remind yourself that ordinary evenings can feel special too.
Connection & Main Character Energy
28. Invite a friend for coffee or tea instead of texting.
A thirty-minute conversation in person can be more meaningful than weeks of messages.
29. Take yourself on a solo date.
Visit a museum, grab lunch, browse a bookstore, or do whatever sounds fun. Your own company is worth enjoying.
30. Get dressed up for no reason.
Wear the dress, the lipstick, the shoes, or the outfit you’ve been saving. Life doesn’t need a special occasion to be celebrated.
You don’t need to complete every item on this list to have a great summer.
Maybe your goal is to check off five. Maybe it’s fifteen. Maybe it’s simply remembering that life is happening right now, not someday when things slow down.
Choose a few ideas that make you smile, put them on your calendar, and give yourself permission to enjoy the season.
Here’s to a summer that’s a little more analog, a little less rushed, and full of moments you’ll actually remember.