Create a Marriage Summer Bucket List

Make the middle of the year memorable

May 24, 2022

Welcome to The First Years of Marriage Newsletter! We talk about the conversations, challenges, and changes that begin once the honeymoon ends. Advice from experts, mistakes from me (Jen Glantz), and things you’re going to want to know as you continue to ask yourself this question - “I’m married, so now what?”

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Summer Bucket List Ideas

When a new season arrives, it often gives us a chance to add a spark back into our lives. After a long and chilly winter and spring, summer is making me feel alive again.

But just like every single other year, it’s a season that always feels too short and fleeting.

I always want to be a certain kind of person in the summer - someone who does unusual things, spends so much time outdoors, and travels around the world. I end up taking local trips to the park and eating takeout from the same 5 restaurants.

But not this year, right? No way.

This year, will be different. Why? Because I’m making it different.

Starting with a bucket list that I’m doing with my husband. We’re creating a to-do list of big and small adventures, adding them to our calendar, and making the next few months the best months of the year.

Here’s how.

Make Your Own List First

It can be hard to figure out what to put on your joint summer bucket list. Instead, start solo. Spend a week jotting down 10 ideas of things you want to do this summer. Pick the ones you want to do with your partner and the ones you want to do solo. This will give you a strong starting point and a chance to get back in tune with your purpose, hobbies, and personal joys.

Some things on my summer bucket list:

-Rooftop yoga

-Day trip to upstate NY

-Finish a book

-Refurnish the apartment

-Learn to make key lime pie

Think of Joint Ideas

Next, combine your lists. Chat about what you want to take on solo (like the key lime pie baking and the book writing) and what you want to do together. Then add in another 10 items that you brainstorm as a couple. That way your summer is filled with options from both of you and adventures that you came up with as a team.

Our joint list includes things like:

-Host a get together for our friends on our rooftop

-Do a weekend trip to Boston

-Read a book together

-Try 10 new restaurants around NYC

-Play tennis

Put it On the Calendar

Lists are just lists unless you make them happen! Take a look at the next few months and schedule in these activities and adventures. Putting it in your calendar not only gives you something bold to look forward to but makes the bucket list feel real.

Get Spontaneous

The best bucket list items are often the random and last-minute ones! Be open to improvising and adding things to your list. Make this summer one where you make plans (and keep those plans) but also say yes to new things on a whim.