Unique Summer Bucket List (Perfect for quarantine!)

As a teenager, at the start of every season, I would write a bucket list. They were full of classic seasonal things, as well as things I wanted to try for the first time. It was a great habit-- I got out there and had adventures, learned new things, and made a lot of memories. I learned how to throw a football for the first time, I pressed flowers, I read books in trees, made my own pumpkin spice coffee syrup, created smoothie recipes, and went on long bike ride excursions. I was excited to be able to do this again. 

It's safe to say that I'm not the only one whose expectations of the year has been completely turned upside down over the past few months. My summer plans were sun-soaked and adventurous and nostalgic because I was going to be back in my home country to stay. I had a lot of vision. Instead, I ended up quarantined in my passport country while my home country put a travel ban in place. To be perfectly honest, it's been frustrating, scary, discouraging, and emotional. The unknowns can feel like they've completely taken over. So much for summer plans, right? Between quarantines in some places and healing processes in others, it can feel impossible-- and silly-- to create a summer bucket list at this point. There are so many things we can't do, and so many uncertainties. 

So I decided to come up with a very chill, very customizable bucket list. Because we can still make memories, and we can still have adventures! 

15 IDEAS FOR A UNIQUE SUMMER BUCKET LIST

• Read a classic -- Some summery suggestions: Emma by Jane Austen, the Anne of Green Gables Series by L. M. Montgomery, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Poirot short stories by Agatha Christie, Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen, Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens, old Nancy Drew or Hardy Boy books, P.G. Wodehouse (in particular, Jeeves books or Picadilly Jim), Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne, Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell, or Aesops Fables and short fairytale collections. 
• Have a picnic -- If you're able to get outside, this is an easy option. But you can still have a picnic even if you're unable to access nature. I love having picnics in the car by a scenic spot, with some music playing, and you can also have picnics indoors or in your yard, on your porch, or on your balcony. Make some sandwiches and lemonade and enjoy the summer vibes. 
• Make some windchimes -- there are so many different options for making some amazing wind chimes. Just a quick look on Pinterest shows wind chimes being made out of everything-- pressed pennies, old CDs, clay or glass beads, spoons, painted tin cans, pieces of glass, seashells, melted plastic beads, wooden sticks, or vintage jewelry pieces. The options are endless, and there's nothing better than a summer breeze and some soft wind chime music. If you want a really unique and beautiful version, look up Japanese wind chimes!
• Create a twinkle light fort -- this is a lovely idea to set up in your yard, but even if you don't have any outdoor space, a twinkle light fort indoors can bring some wonderful cozy summer moments. There are a lot of different ways to do this, from actually constructing a teepee to rigging up a fort in a corner of your house somewhere. Twinkle lights, sheets, faux flowers or greenery if you have them, comfy pillows, and lightweight blankets will transform the space into something fantastic. 
• Make Popsicles -- There's nothing more summery than a cold popsicle on a hot day. There are so many different ways you could do this-- so why don't you experiment a little and come up with your own popsicles?
• Learn how to do Origami -- Hop online and you'll find hundreds of tutorials for all kinds of brightly colored origami crafts. I grew up sitting outside on the step or on the floor indoors with the fan blowing and folding paper. Not only can you make adorable little paper animals like frogs, mice, birds, and cats, but you can also do origami decor. String some bright spring cranes or flowers on thread and hang them, make origami succulents, or make giant butterflies as creative wall art. 
• Make Glow-Stick Balloons -- Grab a pack of balloons and break some glowsticks, because it's time for a fun glowing time. Just by sticking the glowsticks in the balloons when you blow them up, you have these softly lit balloons. You can hang them up around the room and pull out some games to play or a movie to watch. 
• Try your hand at Cold Brew -- whether you like tea or coffee, now is the time to try your hand at whipping up some cold brew. It's not hard, and with a little patience, you'll get some tasty rewards! While you're at it, you could make some flavored creamers or syrups to make your own delicious iced teas or coffees. Some warm-and-sunny-day options include: Coconut, Mint Chocolate chip, Raspberry, Lavender Vanilla, Honey, S'Mores, White chocolate, or lemon. If you want to really up your game, try one of our favorites-- a coffee float! Pour your cold brew over some vanilla ice cream and add a little flavor if you'd like, and just like that you have a spectacular dessert. 
• Do a Summer-purge of your things -- Clean out the clutter from your life-- whether its clothes, your phone, or what you spend your time on. Take the time to sit down and mindfully write down what your priorities are, and habits you want to work at. Then break it down into small steps to achieve your goals! While you clean things out, it could be a good chance to freshen up some things, too-- learn a new hairstyle, get a new phone wallpaper, or redecorate your room. (In case you want some new phone wallpapers, I just created an entire pack of Summer backgrounds! Join my email list for Subscriber exclusive access to my design library!)

• Try a new workout -- It doesn't matter what it is-- whether it's a stretching routine, a FIIT workout, or virtual walking in national parks. Shaking things up with a new workout is always a great way to bring some fun back into things and help with your motivation. Be sure to choose a workout that is right for you and your body, though! 
• Plant an indoor garden -- whether you are into succulents and flowers or love potted herbs and vegetables, why not take the time to get some indoor plants? If you only have a small space available, some nice succulents, cacti, or hanging plants would be nice, but if you want to go all-in, try herbs and vegetables or fruits! 
• Write Letters -- If you've never heard of Happy Mail, now is an awesome time to start getting into the trend. Everyone loves to receive handwritten letters, but you can up the fun by adding little things into the envelope to bring an even bigger smile. If you need ideas, we have an entire post on it here! 
• Paint -- There are endless ways to interpret this bucket list item. You could go classic and paint on canvas, or you can try something unusual like bubble painting, painting cute rocks for others to find out and about, window painting (with window safe paints), paint balloons, chalk paint for outside, or marble/geode painting. 
• Make your own Marshmallows for camping at home -- They're super simple to make, and on top of that, you could try infinite flavors! If you live in a place with access and the ability to have a campfire, now is the perfect time. If you are limited to the indoors, however, you can still have an amazing camping time! Make S'mores in the oven with your homemade marshmallows, get some hamburgers, grab your flashlights, and cuddle up in blankets or sleeping bags on the floor for a good time of card games or story-telling. 
• Make some Essential Oil DIYs -- if you're a fan of essential oils, this one is for you! Plant Therapy has so many great DIY's-- from scented chalk and crayons to body butters to bath bombs to cleaners to wax melts and candles. Pinterest also has hundreds of wonderful ideas -- aromatherapy play-dough, linen sprays, gel air fresheners, and more. If you have essential oils on hand, you should give a DIY a try! If you're interested in some of these awesome projects but don't have any essential oils, you can use this link here  and you'll get $10 off your first purchase of $25! (Disclaimer: By using this referral link I will get a percentage off as well).

There are some of my top ideas for a unique summer bucket list that's perfect no matter what stage of life you're in! Do you have anything you would add? Comment below with your ideas!