#54: Having Things to Look Forward to and Other Thoughts

An argument in favor of creating a summer bucket list

Dear Friends,

We are still fully in spring, which means my internal panic mode hasn’t kicked in yet, but I am notorious for dreading summer. I love all the summer activities, put me next to a body of water with a hot dog and a cold beverage in my hands and I’m a happy camper, but the heat. I can’t do it. I melt. I’d like to think I’ve gotten better at the not complaining about the sweat, thing but I think that’s because my coping mechanisms have improved. I’m very big on having things to look forward to. I find that I can get caught in the rut of going to work then coming home to rot on my couch without seeing anyone or doing anything. That is needed and great sometimes, but it’s also nice to get out.

(some photos bringing me joy lately)

A few weeks ago, I saw a video online of someone reflecting on their middle school self and the bucket list they made every summer. They were asking themself why they stopped making one and committed to making one this year. It reminded me of Seventeen Magazine (which shockingly still exists) and the summer lists they made every year with things that I was never going to accomplish but thought there might be a chance that I could, like kiss someone at the top of a Ferris wheel. It’s still yet to be accomplished. Probably because the only people I ever went to the fair with were my immediate family members and we’re not big on interfamilial lip kissing. That being said a bucket list is the ultimate way to have things to look forward to and I create my list. I estimated that summer is about 15 weeks so I made a list of 15 things to do.

1. Beach day

2. Picnic at Gravelly point (a cool park near the airport where planes fly very low to the ground above you)

3. Lake day at Lake Anna

4. Get an ice cream cone at Nathan’s Dairy Bar

5. Make a meal with ingredients bought at the farmer’s market

6. Host an ice cream social

7. Spend an afternoon (or many) at Banneker Pool

8. See an outdoor movie

9. Go to a concert

10. Eat at China Boy (a restaurant I’ve had my eye on for months and still haven’t visited)

11. An evening at Fort Reno Park

12. Walk to Roosevelt Island (with food)

13. Make homemade frozen yogurt

14. Invite friends over for drinks on the roof

15. Eat a hot dog on the 4th of July

16. Bonus: Get zapped at Catbird with Michelle

I will say, there is a balance between looking forward to things and being present in the moment. It is easy to get ahead of yourself and alway be looking toward the next plans, so yes, be excited about what’s to come, but also enjoy the activities you’re doing now.

And while I’m on my soapbox, please let me remind us all of one more thing. I’m already seeing an increase of videos online and comments around me of the need to get “summer ready” or lose weight. Pardon my language, but it’s all bullshit. Just because the weather is warmer and you might be in a bathing suit more frequently, doesn’t mean you have to look a certain way.

oh, and one more thing for the bucket list. Find a way to recreate this make up look. I bought this eyeshadow from Glossier. We’ll see how it looks. Let me know if you have any ideas, please!

As always, please have a slice for me 🍕, enjoy this song I heard in a bookstore a few months ago and have had on repeat since, and let me know if you want to hit up Nathan’s Dairy Bar with me!