It’s June and summer is undeniably on its way. We got very lucky this spring in the Netherlands as it’s been super warm and sunny for weeks already. I’m hoping the wonderful weather will last all summer long, as there’s nothing like waking up to a blue sky and rays of sunshine peeking through the curtains. This summer, I have a little list of things I’m really looking forward to doing. A summer bucket list, if you will!
Go To A Music Festival
At least once. I really enjoy one day music festivals, especially smaller, more alternative ones. They usually have a great vibe and I love spending a day enjoying live music outside with friends. I also look forward to getting some hipster artisinal french fries and fresh lemonade.
Swim In Open Water
2018 is the year of conquering fears for me. I went through therapy for my anxiety early this year, and have been slowly exposing myself to things that scare me ever since. Another one of those things that scare me that I do want to tackle this year, is swimming in open water. As a kid I had no problem with this whatsoever, but over the past few years the idea of entering the sea or a lake has become absolutely terrifying to me. I feel like it’s time to overcome that, as it’s a completely irrational and unproductive fear.
Buy A Watermelon
Watermelons are among my favourite fruit. A really ripe, juicy water melon is so delicious! The only downside is that this fruit is gigantic and rather pricy. When the timing is right, and we have some friends over perhaps, I want to get one and eat it. Can’t wait!
Read
Summer is my time when it comes to reading. I do pretty much all of my reading for the year during summer, and more specifically when I’m on holiday, as that’s the only occasion when I really make time for it. This year I’m going to be spending a few days by the beach in Spain and a few weeks with my family in Slovakia, so I’ll have plenty of time to get through a couple of good books again.
Sleep On The Balcony
This is a bit of an odd one, and I’m not sure if people do this or if it’s even legal. I would absolutely love to take out our camping gear one day and spend the night on our balcony! I think it would be lots of fun, I’ve never slept under the stars like that and the balcony seems like a really easy way to try it.
Repair Broken Items
In my journey towards more sustainable living, I’d like to try and repair some items that would otherwise get thrown out. I have a handbag for example, where the magnetic closure is tearing off the fabric lining on the inside. If I glue it to the material underneath the lining however, I should be able to use that otherwise perfectly good bag for a few more years. There are a few more examples I can think of around the house, so I’m hoping to tackle those over the next few months.
Have A Picknick
I’ve gone on a picknick once already this year with a friend, but I’d definitely love to do more. There’s something so special about going out with a blanket and a basket full of delicious food and enjoying it out in nature.
Shop At A Thrift Store
Thrift shopping is something I feel like I should probably start easing myself into. If I’m completely honest, I’ve always been kind of repulsed by it, but that’s completely irrational and it’s about time I get over it. Not just because buying second hand clothing is more sustainable, but also because I’d love to get my hands on some actual vintage dresses.
Visit The Beach
I haven’t been to the beach in the Netherlands for a long time, and I kind of miss it. The Dutch beach is very underwhelming but it has its own type of charm, and I’d very much like to take a trip there one day this summer.
DIY Shorts From Jeans
For years now I’ve been looking for the perfect pair of black jean shorts, without any luck. A while back it hit me that I might as well use one of my old, stretched out pairs of black skinny jeans to make that perfect pair of shorts. It should really be as simple as cutting off the legs, and folding the fabric at the bottom. A great way to give a pair of jeans a second life, don’t you think? Especially since the only problem is with the legs no longer being a skinny fit, anyway.
Camp
If you’d told me a few years ago camping would become one of my favourite things to do, I wouldn’t have believed you. But here we are! I don’t have any specific plans for this just yet, but with all the kids’ scouting camps coming up I’m sure a nice opportunity to camp will present itself at some point this summer.
What are you looking forward to this season?
I sleep on my balcony the whole summer :) I’ve never even wondered if it was legal, why shouldn’t it be? I strongly recommend you trying, just remember to check the weather forecast ;)
Greetings from Cracow, Poland. Watermelons here cost 3 PLN per kilo (0.7 EUR) :D
It is actually winter here in Australia. I really like the idea of seasonal bucket lists and making them realistic. It brings excitement and achievement, because the list isn’t impossible. So I think I might start doing this!
I actually want to comment at how surprised I am that watermelons are considered a luxury fruit! Watermelons are available all year around in Australia. When they are in season the range from 49c a kg to $3 a kg when they are not. Surprisingly it is the middle of winter at the local supermarket is selling them for $1.50 a kg.
Omg! Right now a single watermelon costs €6 here, which is about 9,30 AUD 😂 Consider me jealous