Every year since high school, I’ve made a summer bucket list. It’s always the year that I’m finally going to cross off every item. The results? I realize within the first couple of weeks that I’ve just been bed-rotting and rewatching comfort shows, neither of which is on my list, and it’s likely going to stay that way.
Naturally, I’m making another one for this upcoming summer. This time, I’m putting more thought and meaningful reflection into what I want to get out of the break. While this year feels different, I can’t help but wonder if bucket lists are actually helpful or if they just create unnecessary pressure.
The Pros and Cons
The concept of bucket lists is generally positive. They give you the motivation to try new things, make memories, and meet your goals. It feels like the perfect time to make one during a break. You’re no longer bound to a school schedule, and you certainly don’t want to feel like you wasted your free three-month vacation.
However, things can take a turn, and making a bucket list can start to feel more like a chore than something fun. There’s setting unrealistic goals and expectations, comparing summers to friends or social media, and eventually feeling guilty if it doesn’t work out.
It’s not that you can’t accomplish these items; it’s just that summer might not be the right time frame for them. It still sucks when it feels like you have nothing to show for the break.
This doesn’t have to be the case, though! The problem isn’t you, it’s the bucket list. Good bucket lists support your summer; they don’t control it.
Have Fun with it
Bucket lists are meant to be enjoyable. They need to be flexible enough to take life’s uncertainties into account, personal enough to reflect your goals, realistic enough to deliver results, and, most importantly, fun. For summer, they also need to be a little shorter than a lifelong list. Those three months are gone in a blink!
Making the perfect summer bucket list will look different for everyone. My recommendations are to keep it short (around 10 items), focus on what you want to do, and mix and match with big and small items, which can be something like going on a trip and reading that one book on your shelf that you still haven’t touched.
Make it yours
As I mentioned before, this year I’m doing more reflection as I begin writing out my bucket list. I realized that this past school year, I saw the most growth in my independence and self-confidence. So, I’ve been tailoring my summer bucket list to continue this growth as I recently entered my 20s.
For me, this looks like getting waxed for the first time, starting a workout routine, and finally getting my driver’s license — for real this time.
Even if I don’t get to check off all these items on my list, the time I’ve spent reflecting has helped me understand much more about myself. It’s made me feel more ready for what the next school year has in store and for what’s going on in my longer bucket lists.
To bucket list or not to bucket list? I say bucket list. They’re fun, creative, and inspiring, all while allowing you to learn more about yourself and create new memories.
Besides, maybe now you’ll have something to say when it’s time for the inevitable icebreakers.
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