While I see images of snow and winter clothing when reading some of my favourite blogs, it is SUMMER here in Australia! Living in Queensland that means Sun, Sand, Surf and relaxing with BBQs and a good book.
Most people take their holidays over the Christmas/New Year period and head to the Coast to enjoy our beautiful beaches. Each Boxing Day, we head to our home on the Coast and enjoy a couple of weeks of relaxation.
As I join my friend, Leslie from Once Upon A Time, Happily Ever After for our seasonal link up, I would like to share some of the things I have on my Summer Bucket List for 2017/18.
What’s on my Summer Bucket List?
Health & Wellbeing
No New Year’s Resolutions – In 2016 I gave up the idea of New Year’s Resolutions and decided to make a lIfe plan instead. You can read my reasons here about ‘Why you should forget New Year Resolutions’ and also Why You Need a Life Plan instead.
Listening to my body – since I returned from my holiday in Spain, I injured my back. Of course, I didn’t listen to my body and pushed through – WRONG! During Summer I will be working towards rehabilitation and walking more than running, yoga, stretching and swimming until my back is mended.
Enjoying life – Too often we overload ourselves with ‘bucket list’ items and forget to enjoy life. I’m going to go with the flow more and enjoy each day and restart my morning rituals of meditation and reflection.
Alcohol Free – Whilst I’m not a heavier drinker I do enjoy a glass or two of bubbles or wine. Each January, I try to go alcohol free Monday to Friday and then limit to one glass on the weekend. After all the festivities of Christmas and New Year it is good to get back to basics with eating well balanced and nutritious meals and swapping water for champagne!
Reading
Over the Summer holidays I will indulge in my passion of reading. Revisiting Jane Austen, plus also discovering new authors. My friend Wendy from The Art of ‘Why Not’? has a facebook group Prose and Pastime so I will be following her book club for new ideas.
Family & Friends
As most of my family and friends take holidays over the Summer break it will be good to organise some catch up lunches and spend quality time together.
Blogging
Taking a Break – I will be taking a break for a couple of weeks from the blog. However, I have some exciting things happening in 2018.
A New Link Party just for Midlife Lifestyle Bloggers – I will be starting a new link party with my friend Leanne, from Cresting the Hill which will be exclusively for Midlife Lifestyle bloggers. Watch this space!
A new series of guest writers – My word for 2018 will be ‘Thrive’ so I will be having guests authors each week writing about ‘Over 50 & Thriving’.
As you can see, I don’t have a huge bucket list for Summer. I want to relax, restore and revive my mind, body and soul. We all need that from time to time don’t we?
What is on your Winter/Summer Bucket List? I’d love to hear from you, so leave a comment below with your thoughts.
Let’s Keep Sizzling!
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28 Comments
A great summer list, Sue. I never make resolutions, just set goals to do what I enjoy, and some free time to relax. Wishing you a fabulous holiday by the coast and a Happy, Healthy New Year 2018! I look forward to following your updates and link ups in the new year.
Thanks Natalie! It has been lovely getting to know you this year and I wish you every happiness for Christmas and the New Year! I look forward to reading more about your travels xxx
I absolutely adore Jane Austen as well! Enjoy the upcoming holiday, your blogging break (well deserved) and the new year ahead. I look forward to continuing to follow your adventures.
Yes Donna I really want to revisit Jane Austen over the holidays. I wish you every happiness for Christmas and a wonderful New Year. I also look forward to our continuing friendship in 2018! xx
I love your simplified list, Sue. First and foremost, rest and relaxation and healing. I also gave up the New Year’s Resolutions in 2016–a big deal for me. I’ve found the bucket lists to be a great alternative. I am choosing things that I really want to do and that I believe will move me forward in key areas (health, joy, learning, and relationships). I look forward to any book recommendations, the new link party, and the guest posts (including the one I’m going to get working on right after the holidays!).
Happy Summer!
Christie
Hi Christie! We have so much in common and it has been a real treat meeting you this year. Have a very merry Christmas and a Fabulous New Year and I look forward to chatting more in 2018! xx
Envious of summer. Not that I can complain we have had seasonably warm temperatures until now. But a cold system is moving through.
I love how you set you list up to focus on different areas in your life. I might have to try that next time.
Yes it is pretty hot here at the moment! I like to concentrate on different areas of my life so it makes it easier for making my bucket list. Have a wonderful holiday and may the New Year be fabulous for you Danielle! x
Oh gosh, Sue, put me down as a midlife lifestyle blogger extremely interested in your new link up! So, yes, I’ll watch your space closely to see what you and your blogging friend have up your sleeve. 😉
I smiled and nodded hen I read about your self-imposed alcohol limit. My husband and I do something similar in that we open a new bottle of wine on Friday night, enjoy it together over the weekend, then remain alcohol free once it’s gone until the next Friday. Not only does it make it a treat, it helps avoid it slowly becoming an unhealthy crutch.
Enjoy your glorious Australian summer, and the most merry of holiday greetings to you and your family!
Great Tamara! I’ll put you on the list. Just keep following the blog as I”ll have another reminder around the 24th January and we kick off on 31 January. Summer is really going off here with hot days and sunshine. I wish you and your family and very merry Christmas and a wonderful 2018! xx
Ah, so nice to see summer some where! Just wanting to say Merry Christmas to you, Sue! We’re heading south to San Diego for two weeks then a week on the Big Island of Hawaii–summer here I come 🙂
Hi Terri! It has been very hot but I love the sunshine which makes me feel happy. Thank you for your kind Christmas wishes and I’m sending mine back to you. Have a wonderful two weeks in San Diego and the Hawaii – woo! hoo! bring on the sunshine xxx
A great list Sue, all very achievable and realistic! I’m sorry to hear you’ve hurt your back and wish you a speedy recovery, but a careful recovery!! We’re on our way to the beach for a week with our daughter and SIL, I’m so looking forward to a rest!! I’m excited to have you guest posting on Tuesday!!
Yes, I’m pretty impatient Debbie but I’ve been taking it slowly and my back is improving. I even managed a short run this morning with no pain. Slow and steady at the moment. Enjoy the beach and the rest! Thanks for having me as a guest and I’ll be sure to share it around. xx
I always take away so much from your posts. I now have three windows from links you shared. Checking them out in a sec.
Your post sounds soooo much like how I am feeling. Want to get back to alcohol only on weekends. Never have been more than a one glass/bottle/can gal anyway but have started indulging with one on weekdays when I am stressed. No bueno. Need another form of stress relief. Eating chocolate maybe?
So glad you are listening to your body now. You are an amazing athlete and this too shall pass. Just give your back a little summer vacay over the holidays and work back to exercising slowly.
I, too, want to enjoy my bucket list activities this go-round and not just hurry through them in order to check them off my list.
Hope you enjoy a WARM Christmas with lots of sun and beach time. Merry Christmas, cuz!! XO
Hi Cuz! I’m pretty motivated to start the New Year healthier so maybe you can join me? I want to enjoy my bucket list like you mentioned rather than just rushing to try and tick them all off. I went for a short run this morning and no back pain so feeling pretty good. Have a wonderful Christmas and a fabulous New Year. It has been so lovely connecting with you in 2017 and look forward to more ‘chats’ in 2018. xxx
I’ve arrived here via Leslie’s blog – your blog sounds great and as I hurtle towards 60 (less than 12 weeks to go now!) I think I’m going to enjoy visiting.
I have been seriously ‘bad’ over Christmas and seem to think that only I can singlehandedly finish off all that chocolate that didn’t get eaten by our visitors … I have had to resort to forcibly handing bags of sweets to people before they leave. You see, we are off on a big family long weekend soon, log cabins in a forest built around a large sub tropical swimming resort. Suddenly I need to be swimsuit ready – eek!
As I sit here in England with a covering of snow in the garden, it seems very strange to hear you talk about Summer!
Hi Debs! Happy New Year to you and thank you for visiting. I think we all are ‘bad’ over Christmas and that is fine as long as we can get back on track in the New Year. I hope that you will follow my Over 50 & Thriving series in 2018. I will be having guests write about what that means to them plus my own thoughts and encouragement to help us be the best version of ourselves. Yes, here in Australia it is hot!!! I’m looking at friends’ photos in the US where it is snowing and here we are with the blue skies and sunshine and 33C! I hope to hear more from you in 2018 and have a fabulous year! xxx
Listening to your body? Reading for pleasure? All are part of a wonderful bucket list. Happy New Year, Sue. Have a wonderful vacation on the coast.
Happy New Year to you Jennifer and yes we always enjoy ourselves at the Gold Coast. Reading and relaxing – what could be better! xx
I liked your bucket list, I prefer to make a plan instead also. A new year is a blank slate of opportunities.
Hi Pamela, what a great way to look at the New Year – ‘a blank slate of opportunities’ – I love that! Happy New Year to you and thanks for visiting. x
Oh its amazing to think that you are entering summer! I think that any time I am cold, or bored with being inside, I’ll jump over here to your blog and see whats happening in your world!
Like you, I do not drink during the week, but on Friday night, when we usually go out for the evening, I like to have a drink or two. But that’s it for the week for me.
I look forward to your 2018 blogging plans.
🙂 gwingal
Oh yes jump over anytime Nikki! Although our summer has been very hot and humid which can sap the energy – but I’m not complaining. I’d love a White Christmas but I know that the novelty of snow and cold and wear off pretty quickly! Hope you will join me in 2018 and we can Thrive together! x
Not sure how I missed this post Sue – I must have been heading into Christmas and it slipped by me. I love your very manageable bucket list – it sounds relaxing and fun…..everything that Summer should be 🙂
You are my most supportive commenter Leanne so I thank you. I’m a little tired of making bucket lists full of so many things that it becomes overwhelming. I’m looking forward to enjoying Summer xx
This was an awesome article. It looks like the year 2017 was very good to you. Thank you for sharing with and co hosting Blogging Grandmothers. I have shared on social media.
Thanks Clearissa! I decided that I just wanted to enjoy my Summer rather than making a long list of things and then not achieving them. Here’s to a great New Year for us all. xx