So, the first week of my daughters’ summer vacation, they teamed up to make a fun Summer Bucket List. It was full of local and budget-friendly activities to do during the summer. I stuck the list on our kitchen wall to keep us focused and motivated, planning to check off items each week. But with the hustle and bustle of summer camps, family gatherings, and the usual chores, we ended up forgetting about the list. And now, my youngest is about to start school next week! Seriously, where did the time go?!

Life’s all about these little moments, right? I was set on making every item on that list count. Instead of seeing the back-to-school date as the deadline, I’ve extended it to the last day of summer, marked as September 22, 2026. Waking up this morning to a rare free Sunday, I glanced at the list and thought, “Let’s knock out two things today!”

Research shows that putting together and actively pursuing seasonal bucket lists can bring lots of benefits for both individuals and families.

Psychological Benefits: Research by psychologists Cohen and Pham (2009) indicates that setting specific goals, such as those outlined in a seasonal bucket list, can significantly enhance an individual’s motivation and overall well-being. Achieving these goals gives people a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment, contributing to their mental health and happiness.

Increased Happiness and Life Satisfaction: A study conducted by Seligman, Steen, Park, and Peterson (2005) revealed that engaging in enjoyable activities listed in a bucket list can greatly boost happiness and life satisfaction. When individuals actively pursue and complete items from their bucket lists, they experience positive emotions, leading to an enhanced sense of well-being and fulfillment.

Family Bonding and Shared Experiences: Bucket lists can also foster stronger bonds within families by encouraging shared experiences and creating memorable moments. When family members collaborate on creating and checking off items from a bucket list, it promotes communication, togetherness, and the creation of lasting memories that strengthen familial relationships.

Personal Growth and Self-Exploration: Crafting a bucket list allows individuals to reflect on their desires, interests, and aspirations, promoting personal growth and self-exploration. By identifying activities and experiences that bring them joy and fulfillment, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their values, leading to a more purposeful and meaningful life.

For me, there’s a real sense of accomplishment in checking off items from the list and using it as a guide. My daughters inspired me to write my own bucket list, so here it is in all its simplicity. We moms often forget about our own wishes while focusing on our loved ones. So, today, I took a moment to think about what would bring me joy and drafted my own Summer Bucket List. And here it is:

– Read a book

– Spruce up my garden

– Go to as many summer concerts as I can

– Enjoy a few sunsets

– Start journaling again

– Write a couple of poems

– Fly a kite

– Hit the beach

– Try out a new recipe

– Paint something artsy

Thanks to my daughters, I’m on this roll of completing my very own Summer Bucket List. Watching our kids grow up so fast, these lists serve as a reminder for us moms to soak in every moment, especially the little things.

With just a few weeks of summer left, what do you have on your bucket list?