Learning to look forward again – Summer Anticipate List

The last few years have been hard and one consequence or symptom of that for me is that I’m having a really hard time looking forward.

I never put events on my calendar more than a week ahead. I’ve just been letting things come at me.

I haven’t planned hardly anything in advance for a long time.

It’s almost like I’ve been afraid to plan something fun to happen in the future. I’m realizing this is a problem though and I want to fix it.

I want to teach myself to plan and anticipate good things again.

To that end, I’m creating a Summer Anticipate List.

My list is like a bucket list, but with the goal of anticipating enjoyable things and events.

I will be setting dates on the calendar. Even if I need to move and adjust those dates later, I’m going to write them in now.

Anticipate paper chain

When my kids were very little, we used paper chains to count down to fun events and trips.

I always enjoyed seeing those paper chains get smaller as the big day drew closer, so I’m going to give myself that gift of visual anticipation.

I’ll definitely make a paper chain for our trip to NYC and maybe for a few other events as well. I think I’ll hang the chain in a prominent place in the house, so that I see it often.

My Summer Anticipate List

Here’s my summer list. It’s not long, but having a long list isn’t the point for me. I want to focus on planning ahead and anticipating things.

I haven’t added dates here, but I am adding them to my calendar – in ink!

• NYC trip
• Outdoor performance of some kind – ballet under the stars, outdoor concert, Shakespeare in the park, etc. I’ve added a lot of local options on my calendar.
• Classic movie at the Kentucky Theater – I’ve added all the movies to my calendar
• End of summer/September trip to Tempe, AZ to see our son
• Short trip to Gatlinburg with parents
• Get together with new writing friends
• Monet Immersive Experience in Cincinnati

Create a Summer Anticipate list for yourself

Whether you’ve had trouble looking forward to things or not, I hope you create a list like this for yourself.  It’s a good way to plan to connect with friends and family and look forward to something fun.

I’d love to know what’s on your list! Share in the comments.