my last summer before eighteen - a summer bucket list '26

there’s something honestly strange about realizing this is my last summer before eighteen. before everything starts getting labeled “real” on paper. everyone talks about growing up like it’s one straight line — college, career, apartments, debt, burnout dressed up as ambition. like life only matters when it’s constantly moving, producing, achieving.

but i’m not living for that.

i’m not like the girls dating around, chasing noise, filling every weekend just to say they’re busy. i don’t want a life that’s loud but empty. i want something steadier than that. i want to live my life for Christ, to honor my parents, and to stay rooted in my family in a way that doesn’t fade when everyone moves out and starts their “own lives” that somehow mean we stop being close.

that idea actually scares me more than anything — cousins who never see each other, sisters who stop hugging, parents who turn into occasional phone calls instead of coffee dates, family becoming strangers with shared history instead of shared life.

i don’t want that to be my story.

i don’t want to look back and realize i barely know my cousins’ names or that we only show up for each other at weddings and funerals. i want us close. i want us present. i want my life to stay tied to the people God already gave me, not slowly drift away from them because that’s what everyone else is doing.

so this summer, before everything changes, i want to be intentional. i want to live it, document it, and thank the Lord for it — not rush past it trying to get to something “next.” just be here. with my family. with the life i already have. and prepare myself for what the Lord has in store for my future.

make those last moments of being seventeen count. have joy. patience. love. hug your parents. honor the Lord. honor your parents. enjoy the Lord's creation. be prepared to be an adult. learn homemaking skills. be ready. but enjoy those little moments you won't get back. cheers to being almost-eighteen, friends. ✨

here we go. grab a warm (or cold) drink & enjoy reading. i hope this inspires to create a list of your own. please share in the comments if you did or already have.

my perfect summer leading up to my 18th

• wake up at early at least once a week to watch the sunrise

• watch the sunset as much as i can

• eat fresh watermelon

• meet new people

• be more social/open to new conversations, new places, new people, new churches

• talk more to people my own age/get involved

• learn new jumprope tricks

• daily core work

• have a picnic

• watch thunderstorms

• thrift often

• make my room more "me"

• keep sundays slow

• make homemade soda or jam

• laugh so hard & have so much joy

• not being overwhelmed & feel unprepared for the future. know & trust in God for He is soverign over all

• eat tomatoes in the summer heat

• hug others while i still can

• drink as much coffee as humanly possible

• listen to the frogs & crickets at night

• handwrite every little thing

• start a neighborhood bakery

• finish a workout series

• walk a lot

• time in prayer daily + reading of the Word

• stargaze

• new unique cookie recipes

• plant & harvest flowers

• eat outside a lot!!

• new hair / embracing my style / natural

• collect lil memories from this summer in a shoebox

• visit farmer's markets

• keep computer shut down all summer

• morning workouts before the house wakes up

• wildflowers in old jars

• make peach cobbler or strawberry shortcake or lemon something

• scrapbook!!!

• document every day & the very little moments

• try new salad recipes / new recipe every week

• journal daily

• new coffee recipes

• homemade lemonade

• dive deep into the Gospel

• drive more

• buy fresh flowers (or grow)

• learn at least 2 new homemaking skills

• make memories with my girls (mom & sisters)

• read & finish at least one book

• write letters to people but don't send

• keep a "summer scent"

• sleep with windows open when weather allows

• collect & watch fireflies at dusk

• open windows

• compliment others

• make handmade gifts

• keep a beautifully clean room

• outdoors daily

• be in the sun

• be patient & open to change

• prepare to be an "adult"

• enjoy being seventeen before i'm eighteen

• turn eighteen.

many blessings & pray without ceasing,

bylilyjohanna