Autumn does not officially begin until September 23. However, it seems that every year the stores, the internet, and the world are transitioning seasons faster and faster. I mean, I haven’t even checked off half of my summer bucketlist and some stores are already decking the halls, declaring the end of summer before August has even ended!
As the seasons race past us faster and faster, it feels as though we will soon be celebrating winter in the summer and summer in the winter. Our society seems to rush every phase of life. We are rushed toward our next huge milestone. We are rushed to learn the latest news. We are rushed to complete the next task.Â
I, for one, am not a fan of all the rushing. It feels as though my whole life has been a race to the finish line. But, what is waiting at that finish line? Nothing I am ready to face just yet.
Soaking up every last bit of the seasons are my little ways of rebelling against society’s tendency to rush us all.
However, I will admit that this summer has been harder to soak in than other seasons have been. It has been unbearably hot outside, forcing us to spend our days cooped up inside as watching the sun have all the fun.Â
It doesn’t help that we will be facing a huge life change soon that will allow my husband to be more present with us in the fall.
With all of this, I have found myself just waiting. Waiting for tomorrow. Waiting for bedtime. Waiting for the morning.
All of that waiting isn’t making time go any faster, though. It is simply leaving me and the girls frustrated and impatient. It has made our summer feel as though it is wasting away. When I looked back on my summer memories just to see myself wishing it away, I faced one scary wake up call.
I don’t want to wish my limited days away. I don’t want to waste any more of my summer waiting. I am determined to make the most of the rest of these hot summer days and breezy summer nights.
If you’d like to join me, here are 7 things I’m doing to make these last bits of summer as magical as possible.Â
Make and Complete an End of Summer Bucketlist
This is possibly the most obvious part of this list. If you want to soak up the last of summer, you have to find little ways to celebrate the season. What better way to brainstorm these ideas than to create a summer bucketlist filled with summer fun and magic?
My Outdoor Summer Bucketlist
- Go frolicking through nature
- Go seashell and shark tooth hunting
- Go glamping
- Kiss on the beach
- Grab açaà bowls and have a picnic near the sea
- See a drive in movie
- Have a picnic in a scenic field
- Go to an outdoor concert
- Have a romantic al fresco dining experience
My Indoor Summer Bucketlist
- Try a new cafe
- Pick up a dreamy summer dress
- Bake a yummy summer treat
- Build a fort
- Have a summer slasher movie marathon
- Press some summer wildflowers
Scrapbook Your Summer Memories
Embrace your main character moments this summer with a scrapbook filled to the brim with summer memories you never want to forget. I think that creating a scrapbook full of your adventures, thoughts, dreams, and memories will serve as a great motivator to create a truly magical summer. As the end of summer quickly approaches, take a moment to pause and reminisce on a summer well spent.
Have Summer Theme Days
When you think summer, what do you think of? There are so many movies, characters, creatures, and themes associated with the summer season. I think a fantastic way of celebrating the season would be to spend entire days on theme with your favorite summer things. A few summer theme ideas could include:
A Coastal Gran Summer
Don’t you just love the vibe of Nancy Meyer’s movies? Who wouldn’t want to live a life full of long walks on the beach, farm fresh meals, and hosting loving friends? That sounds like a perfect day to me.
Summer Nostalgia
Do you ever spend your days reminiscing about summers when you were a kid? I know I do. Spend a day doing all your favorite childhood activities, like running through a sprinkler, catching fireflies, and eating ham and cheese sandwiches by the pool.
Coastal Cowgirl Summer
Coastal cowgirl was a newer trend this season that I loved. The idea of mixing beachy vibes with the simplicity of farm life sounds absolutely ideal. Who wouldn’t want to spend a summer day hanging with the cutest farm animals and cooling off in the ocean breeze?
European Summer
Just because you weren’t able to make your way to the Mediterranean this season doesn’t mean you can’t embrace all the vibes of a European summer! Dress in your favorite European inspired outfit, eat simple but delicious Mediterranean inspired dishes, and spend your day embracing life’s simplest pleasures.
Aquamarine Summer
Aquamarine is an iconic summer movie for a reason. Spend a day playing mermaids, wearing your favorite beachy accessories, and enjoying all the seafood. That sounds like a summer day well spent to me.
Lord of the Rings Cottagecore Summer
The Lord of the Rings books and movies encapsulate the ideal image of a cottagecore summer. You can spend the day eating yummy hobbit inspired foods, frolicking through flower fields and forests, and enjoying all of the intricately made films.
Summer Camp
Summer camp is a memory many people look back on fondly.Why not set up a day to spend outside camping, competing, and enjoying each other’s company?
Embrace the Energy of the End of Summer
Summer is the season of energy and productivity. The days are longer, the Sun is inviting you to play, and the outdoors are buzzing with activity. Why not embrace the season’s vibes by finally chasing that New Year’s resolution, getting outdoors and active more often, and hosting loved ones who finally have some freetime to spare?
Cook with Seasonal Foods
One of the best ways to embrace any season is by cooking and baking ith seasonal produce! Head to your local farmer’s market and chat up some of your local farmers to hear what produce is in season where you live. The end of summer is a great time for grilled meats, yummy cold salads, and all of the fruit cobblers served with a side of ice cream. What’s not to love?
Spend Your Days in the Sun
Sure, this year it is a little hotter than usual, considering the fact that July faced some of the HOTTEST TEMPTERATURES IN RECORDED HISTORY???? However, the moments that the Sun is not trying to cook us like a sunny side up egg are certainly amazing in their own ways. When the weather in your community is looking up, try to soak in some of that sunshine before the days become shorter and the nights stretch into the morning.
Find Books, Movies, and Shows That Feel Like the End of Summer
I’m in Florida, which means that these past few weeks have been unbearably hot. Because of that, I’ve spent alot more time inside than I’d like to admit. I want to keep the summer vibes going, though. That’s why I’ve kept my entertainment on par with the season. I’ve been enjoying my favorite summer reads, binge watching The Summer I Turned Pretty, and enjoying some light hearted summer rom-coms.
Sure, when the temperatures are hitting record highs and keeping us all inside, it can be easy to crave crisp Autumn days full of pumpkin spiced lattes and trips to the corn maze. And, you know what? If you are really craving a fall-themed day, there is nothing wrong with spending a hot summer day inside, wearing your favorite fall sweater and baking pumpkin treats.
However, if you are just running out of ideas for ways to celebrate this end of summer season, I hope that these tips help you soak it all in.
