Read 3 Novels is on my Summer Bucket List

My daughter came home recently with a paper listing 100 items for a “Summer Bucket List.” The paper proclaimed it had 100 fun things to do before summer kicks the bucket. The list suggested items like: see a parade, make root beer floats, and have breakfast for dinner. I had heard of a bucket list as being a list of something(s) you want to do before you die. I never thought the idea could be expanded to a list of possible activities to do for the summer. After looking at the list for a while, I decided to make a Summer Bucket List for myself and my family. As a family, we discussed the various activities each of us wanted to do over the summer and we set out to accomplish them. The positive aspect of having a list is we can then make sure the ideas get put on the calendar.

Our list did not include what my family normally does over the summer, household tasks or the plans we already have in place. The Summer Bucket List was totally fun things I and my family wanted to do, and it got us excited about this summer.

Do you have plans this summer? 

I have been talking with my clients about how they take care of themselves (self-care) over the summer, and often they answer, “I don’t know.” They say that it has been such a long time since they have thought about how to take care of themselves, and some have never thought of it at all. This summer is a great opportunity to put yourself first and make that list. Have you thought about what fun activities you can do over this summer?

I am on a mission to spread the word that everyone can have a Summer Bucket List.

Here are some strategies to start your Summer Bucket List. I suggest you spend 15-30 minutes contemplating the below questions.

• Think about what you like to do and have not done in a while.
• Consider what you have never done, but really want to do.
• Think about what you have been afraid to do but really want to do.
• What would give you pleasure? Put that on your list.
• Write down your list (download here) and keep it where you can see it and set dates for when you will get it done this summer.
• Keep extra spaces on your list to add through the summer.

I consider this Summer Bucket List a strategy to end emotional eating.

Taking care of yourself (including your emotions) is strongly related to ending the need to emotionally eat. We can often tend to overeat due to feelings like boredom, loneliness, and stress. This Summer Bucket List provides you opportunities to let go of those feelings by engaging in endeavors that you enjoy, thus brightening your mood. We are looking to increase your good feelings without food. The summer, for some of us, can be a time of feeling upset about how our body looks and we might then avoid being outside or in crowds.

Enjoying the summer season is just good for you.

I hope you join me this summer to create your Bucket List (download here). Later in the summer I’ll post how I am doing and give you my reactions and insights. In the meantime, let us know in the comments below what is on your Summer Bucket List. Maybe you could give me/us some new ideas.

Kim McLaughlin, MA is a counselor, inspirational coach, best selling author, and speaker. She specializes in working with people who suffer from emotional eating and helps them make peace with food and their lives. Kim is a certified Intuitive Eating Counselor and has  a certificate in Eating Disorders Counseling. 

Kim McLaughlin has been identified as writing one of the Top 50 Blogs about Emotional Eating by the Institute on Emotional Eating. Visit her website at www.FeedYourSoulUnlimited.com.