Before you know it, the long, sun-drenched days of summer will be a distant memory.
I know this feeling all too well. For years, my summers—and seasons in general—blurred together in a haze of bad habits. I’d let time slip away, lost in video games, unhealthy eating, and general laziness. I wasn’t really living, just letting days pass me by. When I finally decided to change my life, losing over 110 pounds and breaking free from those cycles, I learned a powerful lesson. A good life doesn’t just happen. You have to build it, moment by moment.
Summer is the perfect time to practice this. It’s a season filled with opportunity for joy and connection, but it passes quickly. If we’re not intentional, we’ll look back in September and wonder where it all went.
This year, let’s do it differently. Let’s not just let summer happen to us. Let’s actively create memories that will warm our hearts long after the weather turns cold.
Capture the Fleeting Moments
We often think memories are automatic, but sometimes we need to give them a little help. Creating tangible reminders of our experiences can transport us back to those happy moments in an instant.
It’s not about performing for social media. It's about creating a personal archive of your own joy. I used to live my life on a screen, but for all the wrong reasons. Now, I try to use tools to capture reality, not escape from it. Take photos of the simple things: your kids laughing, a beautiful sunset, the flowers you planted.
Try starting a simple "one-sentence" journal. Each night, just write down one good thing that happened. It takes less than a minute but builds a powerful record of your blessings.
Create Experiences, Not Just Plans
The best memories often come from simple, unplanned adventures, not just big, expensive vacations. When I was on my weight loss journey, I learned the power of small, consistent wins. The same principle applies to making memories.
You don’t need a week-long beach trip to make summer feel special. Plan a "hometown tourist" day where you visit local spots you’ve never seen. Have a themed dinner night in your backyard. Go for a walk in a park you’ve never explored. These small efforts break up the routine and create distinct, happy moments.
One of the most powerful things you can do is have a dedicated "no-screen" day, or even just an evening. As someone who overcame a serious gaming addiction, I know how much life you miss when you’re staring at a screen. Putting the phone away forces you to be present. It forces you to connect with the people right in front of you and the world God created around you. You'll be amazed at what you notice.
Engage Your Heart and Senses
Memories are not just visual. They are tied to all our senses and our deepest feelings of gratitude. Making memories last is about paying attention with your whole self.
Create a summer playlist. Music has an incredible ability to take you back to a specific time and place. Years from now, hearing one of those songs will bring a flood of warm memories.
Another thing I’ve found incredibly powerful is ending the day with gratitude. It’s a core part of my routine and my faith. Before I go to sleep, I take a moment to thank God for the day. For the sun on my face, for a good conversation, for a meal with family. Acknowledging these gifts engraves them on your heart. It shifts your focus from what’s going wrong to what’s going right, making even ordinary days feel rich and meaningful.
To help you get started, here are 15 simple ideas you can try this summer.
Your 15-Point Summer Memory Toolkit
- Start a "Summer Jar." Write down happy moments on small slips of paper and put them in a jar. Read them all on the last day of summer.
- Take Photos for Yourself. Capture candid, simple moments, not just perfect poses. Print a few of your favorites.
- Keep a One-Sentence Journal. Every day, write down one thing that made you smile.
- Record a Voice Memo. Capture the sound of your kids playing, the waves at the beach, or crickets at night.
- Create a Summer Playlist. Fill it with songs that define this season for you.
- Press a Flower or Leaf. Pick one from a special walk or a memorable place.
- Learn One New Summer Skill. It could be grilling the perfect burger, identifying a new constellation, or growing your own tomatoes.
- Plan a Weekly "Micro-Adventure." Try a new ice cream shop, visit a different park, or take a new route on your evening walk.
- Be a Hometown Tourist. Visit a local museum, landmark, or historical site you've always skipped.
- Write a Letter to Your Future Self. Describe your hopes and feelings for this summer and read it next year.
- Have a Themed Dinner Night. Think "Taco Tuesday" on the patio or a backyard Italian bistro night.
- Master a Summer Recipe. Perfect your recipe for lemonade, potato salad, or a fruit pie.
- Go Stargazing. Get away from the city lights and just look up.
- End Each Day with Gratitude. Take a moment to say a prayer of thanks for the day’s simple joys.
- Plan a "Memory Night." At the end of summer, have a night where you look through photos, read your journal entries, or listen to your playlist as a family.
Making memories last isn’t about having a perfect, Instagram-worthy summer. It’s about choosing to be an active participant in your own life. It’s about finding joy in the small things and being thankful for them.
So, what’s one small thing you’ll do this week to make a summer memory last?
