I start counting down the days until summer in February.

I mean, I know that we’re all supposed to be present and enjoy the time we’re in, blah blah blah, but in February, the time I want to be in is SUMMER.

Summer is wonderful. It’s sunny. It’s warm. The days go on and on forever. If it weren’t for how glorious autumn is, I’d never want it to end.

Needless to say, it’s not surprising that I started my bullet journal journey in summer. Because summer is the shot of Vitamin D my creativity longs for all year.

To take advantage of the season, this year, I’m doing a 100 Days of Summer bullet journaling challenge—a set of three spreads designed to help me be more intentional about how I spend this stretch of time. Not in a rigid or hyper-productive way (which this Type-A girl gravitates toward obsessively), but in a way that reflects what I actually need right now: space to restore, time to play, and schedules that support my energy.

The three spreads are simple:

• One for learning, reading, and a seasonal schedule

• One for projects and personal refills (the soul kind, not the beverage kind)

• And one for health habits

Together, they help me hold both sides of summer: the freedom and the focus.

Let’s take a closer look at each one.

This first spread is all about taking advantage of the season’s long, generous days.

First up: my summer schedule.

There’s something magical about how much daylight we get this time of year. It makes everything feel expansive—like there’s more time to do, yes, but also more time to be. My ideal rhythm leans into that early light: I like to front-load my day with a productive morning, so I have the freedom to stretch out in the afternoons. Sometimes that means catching up on work, but more often I want those hours to be for active leisure—crafting, reading, being outside, or learning something just for fun.

Which brings me to my favorite part of this spread: Learn something new.

I’m craving the kind of playful learning that has no pressure attached. The kind of thing you’d sign up for at summer camp as a kid. I’ve toyed with the idea of picking up the guitar. Or yodeling (yes, really). Or dancing like no one’s watching—because no one is watching. Whatever I choose, the point isn’t mastery. It’s play.

And finally, the reading challenge.

Some of my favorite childhood memories are from long summer afternoons with a stack of library books beside me. There was something so satisfying about heading home with a full book bag and making my way through it in a hammock or under the covers. Every summer, that feeling comes back. This year I’m building a little reading challenge into my journal—mixing fiction and nonfiction, tracking my titles, and keeping it light and fun. The library is still my go-to for discovering what’s next.

Try this yourself:

Build a summer schedule that gives you the mornings for focus and the afternoons for fun. Then ask yourself: what’s something playful you’ve always wanted to try—just for the sake of learning? Pick one thing and make a little space for it. Bonus points if you head to your local library and leave with a stack of books for a personal reading challenge.

This next spread is actually a carry-over from May’s digital feature. One thing I really love about digital journaling is how easy it is to modify and reuse a layout when something still feels timely. Sure, you can flip backward in a paper journal, but in digital? You can pull it forward and create an entirely new experience. There’s something fun about that.

I decided to bring this one into June because I wasn’t done with it yet.

The first half of the spread is what I’m calling my Refill List—a visual and written collection of ways I can intentionally refill my energy. After the past few years, and especially after a full-speed May, I know I need to build more margin into my summer. I didn’t have a lot of time for restorative activities last month, and it showed. This list is here to remind me: work sprints can be energizing, but they aren’t sustainable on their own. I need space for recovery. For joy. For creativity without deadlines.

The second half of the spread is my Indoor and Outdoor Project List. If I’m being honest, I was a little overambitious thinking I’d power through all of these in just one month. But summer is a much better, more realistic timeframe. Some projects are practical—like patio cleanup or reorganizing the garage. Others are just for fun, like making some upgrades to my journaling nook or experimenting with new collage styles. Either way, it feels good to see it all laid out.

Try this yourself:

Create a two-part spread to help balance your energy this season. On one side, list ways to refill—small, restorative things that bring you joy or calm. On the other, jot down a few indoor and outdoor projects you’d love to chip away at over the summer months. Keep it flexible. You’re not building a to-do list—you’re designing a season.

This last spread focuses on two essentials that help me feel grounded and energized: food and movement.

First up is my summer meal plan.

In summer, I definitely simplify my approach to cooking. It’s less casseroles and sheet pans, more grilling and assembling. Quick, fresh, and easy is the name of the game. But even with that laid-back vibe, I still need a plan. In fact, I probably need it more because summer’s rhythms are so fluid.

This year, I’m trying something new: I built a 5-week menu and I’m rotating through it three times over the course of the season (yes, I checked the math—it works). I figure eating the same meals every five weeks isn’t enough to feel repetitive, and it completely removes the “what’s for dinner?” stress each week. I’m three weeks in so far and I’m loving how easy it makes grocery planning—and how seasonal and satisfying the meals have been. We’ll see how I feel by August, but so far this system might be a keeper.

The second half of the spread is dedicated to fitness and movement.

I’m tracking my weightlifting workouts this summer using a simple tracker—five sessions per week, which is the rhythm I’ve been following all year. So nothing new there.

But I did add two bonus goals: a step challenge and a stretching challenge. I’ve been sitting a lot at my desk lately, and I’d love to get back up to a daily average of 10,000 steps. And I’ll be honest: I really need to stretch more. Right now I feel like the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz—a little too creaky for comfort. Hopefully by the end of summer, I’ll feel stronger and a little more limber.

Try this yourself:

Keep meals simple—but intentional. Try mapping out a 3- or 5-week rotating menu to give yourself structure without burnout. Then add a health or movement tracker to your journal—whether that’s steps, stretching, strength training, or something else that helps you feel strong in your own skin.

As always, these spreads aren’t about perfection—they’re about presence. About paying attention to what I need, what I want to create, and how I want to feel as the season unfolds. This little challenge gives me just enough structure to savor summer more intentionally.

Whether you’re journaling alongside me or simply soaking in the sun in your own way, I hope you find a rhythm that restores you.

Stay tuned for what’s coming next:

July’s page reveal is on the way, along with a few fun bonuses—including my Christmas in July project (yes, really) and a look at my mid-year reflections as we reach the halfway point of 2025. I can’t wait to share more soon.