Before we know it we will be trading our sunglasses and lemonade for scarves and pumpkin spice lattes. If you want to soak up all that you can from what is left of Summer, you’ll love today’s post. I’m sharing 15 things to do before summer ends. From last minute adventures to getting organized and prepared for a new season, you’ll see a mix of it all.
15 Things To Do Before Summer Ends
Whether you are trying to soak up the last of the summer vacation days, or you are ready to start transitioning to fall, there is something for you on this list. I suggest doing a mix of both to make the most of summer. The goal is to have fun while also not feeling completely overwhelmed when Fall comes.
1) Relax In/Near Water
In my opinion, nothing screams summer quite like being near the ocean, lake, pool, or even the creek. Some of my favorite memories have been relaxing on a boat riding through the lake, or hanging out in the pool with family.
Being in the water often marks the start of summer for me. I savor the last few weeks of summer by being out near some form of water as often as I can.
2) Have A Rom Com Movie Night Before Summer Ends
If I were to give the title of summer to any movie genre it would for sure be the rom com. They are light, fun, and make you feel good. It’s a given that a night with loved ones having a rom com movie marathon is a must before we move on to fall. Bonus points if it’s an outdoor movie and/or there is popcorn.
3) Read A Summer Book
If you haven’t read a book that takes place in summer yet, you are missing out. Whether it’s a romance that makes you feel giddy, a vacation setting, or an atmospheric thriller, there are a ton of options to add to your to-be-read list. Here are some of my favorites.
- Our Perfect Storm by Carly Fortune
- People We Meet On Vacation by Emily Henry (also a Netflix movie)
- Just For The Summer by Abby Jimenez (third book in an interconnected standalone series)
- The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
4) Go For A Drive With The Windows Down
If you love going for drives you’ll want to soak up all of the great weather days. Those ones that are perfect for driving with the windows down and radio up. You could be running errands, or traveling a long distance, that nice breeze feeling is peak summer energy.
5) Finish Up Summer Bucket List Items
If you made a summer bucket list you are running out of time to check it all off. Try and get a few more activities done, but don’t put pressure on yourself to complete it if it will add stress to your life. The point of these seasonal bucket lists are to have fun. So, keep it light, no matter how much you complete.
6) Find A Way To Memorialize The Summer Before It Ends
If you are dreading the end of summer because you’ve had such a great time, you aren’t alone. As Taylor Swift has said, “hold onto the memories, they will hold on to you.”
A great way to do this is to memorialize your summer. There are many ways to do this, some being creating a shadowbox of items that remind you of this summer and/or creating a scrapbook. Get creative and see what you can come up with.
7) Go Shopping
Whether you are in school and need to get dorm essentials, new clothes, etc., or you are ready to buy your fall decor, this is a great time to do either of those. And really, before summer ends is the best time to do this so you won’t miss the trends or upcoming seasonal essentials.
And, you’ll be getting these things done early! So, if you end up forgetting something there is still time to grab it before fall officially sets in.
8) Reassess Your Routines
This time period of late summer is the perfect time to take a step back and take a look at your current routines. Do you need to ease into some changes so that it’s not such a harsh adjustment? A lot of us do before getting back into the grind of school, and/or prepping for the holidays.
9) Purge Summer Clothes
It’s always a great idea to purge your closet at the end of each season. Not only will it give you extra space for your fall wardrobe, but it will be easier to assess what you need to shop for when the beginning of summer comes around again.
I would make three piles when doing this. One for anything you may want to donate/get rid of, clothing and accessories to put in storage until next summer. Then have a few pieces to leave out to transition you into fall.
10) Create A Fall Bucket List Before Summer Ends
We mentioned finishing up your summer bucket list earlier, now let’s look ahead to your fall bucket list. Think of anything you may want to do/experience this fall and start brainstorming. You don’t have to finalize your list right now, but it’s a good idea to get started.
11) Get Back To A Learning Mindset/Lifestyle
Whether or not you are actively in school, I believe we can all benefit from focusing on learning something in the fall. I don’t know if it’s because we’ve been conditioned that way from growing up in school, or the end of the year is near and we are wanting to finish up the resolutions we set.
Whatever the reason, there are a plethora of ways to learn something this fall. You can even create a whole personal curriculum of it. Learn a skill, take a certification or course, or just take time to read about a subject that interests you, all of these are great options to consider.
12) Review Your Finances
It’s easy to over indulge in the summertime. Which makes it a good idea to do a check-in with your finances to make sure you didn’t hurt your wallet too much. If you find that’s the case, make a game plan to remedy the situation.
13) Deep Clean Before Summer Ends
I know the big season associated with cleaning is the Spring, but I believe each season you can benefit from deep cleaning. You can take the same checklist you used a few months ago and apply it to how you deep clean now. We have a lot of deep cleaning tips if you need a refresher.
14) Go On One Last Summer Adventure
Summer isn’t over yet. There is still time to make some great memories. Whether your last adventure is going camping, a trip to the beach, or even having a cookout at home. Savor those last summer memories and make the most of them.
15) Reflect On Your Summer
Lastly, I always like to reflect at the end of each season, and summer is no different. You can do this through journaling, looking back at memories, or talking to a loved one. Think about all you’ve done and accomplished this summer and figure out if there are things you maybe didn’t get to that you can move to the Fall.
Final Thoughts On Things To Do Before Summer Ends
As we say goodbye to summer I hope you’ve found some ways to make the most of the rest of the season. As fun and carefree as summertime can be, remember all that awaits us in the Fall.
I love that we can find something to love/look forward to in each season. How will you be spending the remainder of your summer? Let me know in the comments.
About the Author
Kelly graduated from Liberty University with a degree in Advertising and Public Relations and a minor in Journalism. Even though it took her a little while to find her career path, she was always meant to be in Communications. She remembers writing poems and songs when she was a little girl and pitching to my parents the reasons why I should have a cell phone when I was a teenager. She currently has a blog (budding-joy.com) where she talks about her weight-loss journey, mental health and personal development. Her hope is to encourage and inspire readers and let them know they are not alone. Reading blog posts like that are what helped her in tough times and she wants to pay it forward. She loves dance fitness, listening to music, and creating layouts in her bullet journal. She's a big fan of planning, especially when cute notebooks and pens are involved. Her dream job has changed so much over the years; right now she'd love to co-own a dance studio.
Website: budding-joy.com