Summer Dreams

Summer Dreams: 10 Wishes to Make Before the Next School Year

There’s something magical about summer—the long, golden days, the freedom from routine, and that delicious sense of possibility that hangs in the warm air. Whether you’re a student anticipating a break from classes, a parent watching your children embrace their vacation, or simply someone who feels the pull of summer’s transformative energy, this season offers a unique opportunity to dream bigger and bolder. Before the next school year begins and life returns to its structured rhythm, what if you could harness this expansive summer energy to set 10 powerful wishes that could change the trajectory of your entire year? This isn’t about creating another overwhelming to-do list; it’s about intentionally designing experiences and growth that will make this summer unforgettable.

In this guide, we’ll explore ten carefully curated wish categories that span personal growth, adventure, relationships, skills, and well-being. Each wish is designed to be both inspiring and achievable within a summer timeframe, giving you the perfect balance of ambition and practicality. We’ll also provide actionable strategies for turning each wish into a concrete goal, ensuring that your summer dreams don’t just remain fantasies but become lived experiences that enrich your life long after the season ends.

Why Summer is the Perfect Season for Wish-Making

Summer holds a special place in our collective consciousness. It’s associated with childhood freedom, adventure, and the suspension of normal rules. This psychological association makes it an incredibly powerful time for setting and achieving wishes. The longer daylight hours literally give us more time and energy, while the warmer weather encourages us to step outside our comfort zones—both literally and metaphorically. Research in chronobiology shows that our circadian rhythms shift in summer, often leading to increased energy levels and improved mood, creating optimal conditions for pursuing new goals.

Moreover, summer often provides natural breaks in our routines—school vacations, slower work periods, or simply the cultural permission to take things a bit easier. This disruption of routine is actually a gift for personal transformation. When we step out of our habitual patterns, we create space for new behaviors and experiences to take root. By writing down your summer wishes at the beginning of the season, you’re setting an intention that your subconscious mind can work toward throughout these precious months.

The 10 Essential Summer Wishes

1. Master a New Skill That Excites You

Summer’s relaxed pace makes it ideal for skill acquisition. Whether it’s learning to play guitar, mastering a new language, developing your photography skills, or finally understanding how to cook beyond the basics, choose one skill that genuinely excites you. The key is specificity—instead of “learn Spanish,” try “complete 60 days of Spanish practice and hold a 10-minute conversation with a native speaker.” This wish isn’t about becoming an expert; it’s about the joy of becoming and the confidence boost that comes from dedicated practice.

To make this wish actionable, use the SMART goals framework. Break your skill into weekly milestones, schedule specific practice times, and find an accountability partner or online community. Remember, the daily habits of people who achieve their biggest dreams often involve consistent, small actions rather than sporadic bursts of effort.

2. Have an Adventure That Pushes Your Boundaries

Adventure doesn’t have to mean skydiving or traveling to exotic locations (though it certainly can!). It means doing something that feels slightly scary and exhilarating—something that takes you out of your comfort zone. This could be a solo camping trip, a road trip to a place you’ve never been, trying an extreme sport, or even attending a workshop or retreat alone. The goal is to create a memorable experience that expands your sense of what’s possible for you.

Adventures are powerful because they interrupt our autopilot mode and force us to be fully present. They create stories we’ll tell for years and often reveal strengths we didn’t know we had. When planning your adventure, consider what type of boundary you want to push—physical, social, creative, or intellectual—and design an experience accordingly. Don’t let procrastination steal this wish from you; book that ticket, make that reservation, or commit to that challenge today.

3. Deepen a Meaningful Relationship

In our busy lives, relationships often get relegated to whatever time is left over. Summer offers a chance to reverse that pattern. Choose one important relationship—with a partner, family member, old friend, or even a new connection—and make it a wish to deepen that bond. This might look like weekly date nights, a special trip together, regular phone calls with a long-distance friend, or simply creating dedicated, phone-free quality time.

The beauty of this wish is that it enriches both your life and someone else’s. Strong relationships are one of the most reliable predictors of happiness and life satisfaction. Make your wish specific: “Have six meaningful conversations with my teenage daughter about her dreams and fears” or “Plan and execute a surprise weekend getaway with my partner.” The specificity transforms a vague intention into a concrete commitment that strengthens your most important connections.

4. Complete a Creative Project You’ve Been Postponing

We all have creative projects gathering dust in the corners of our minds—the novel we want to write, the painting series we’ve been imagining, the podcast we want to start, the garden we want to design. Summer’s expansive energy is perfect for finally bringing one of these projects to completion. Notice I said completion, not perfection. The goal is to finish something, to experience the profound satisfaction of seeing a creative vision through from start to end.

Choose one project and break it into summer-sized chunks. If you’re writing, commit to a certain word count per week. If you’re creating visual art, set a goal for the number of pieces you’ll complete. Apply the 80/20 rule—focus on the 20% of actions that will move your project 80% toward completion. And most importantly, schedule your creative time as non-negotiable appointments with yourself, protecting them as fiercely as you would any other important commitment.

5. Establish a Health Habit That Sticks

Summer’s favorable weather and longer days make it the ideal time to establish a health habit that can carry you through the rest of the year. This could be a morning walk routine, a strength training practice, a meditation habit, better sleep hygiene, or a commitment to home-cooked meals. The key is choosing one habit and making it so consistent that it becomes automatic by the time fall arrives.

Research shows it takes anywhere from 18 to 254 days to form a new habit, with an average of 66 days. A summer gives you approximately 90 days—plenty of time to hardwire a new behavior. Start small to avoid burnout. If you want to run, start with a 10-minute jog three times per week rather than immediately training for a marathon. The goal is sustainability, not intensity. Once the habit is established, you can always increase the challenge.

6. Read Books That Transform Your Perspective

There’s something deeply satisfying about summer reading—whether it’s on a beach, in a hammock, or curled up in air-conditioned comfort. Make a wish to read a specific number of books (perhaps 5-10) that challenge your thinking and expand your worldview. Don’t just stick to your usual genre; intentionally choose books from different categories—philosophy, science, memoir, fiction from other cultures, or subjects you know nothing about.

Reading is one of the most efficient ways to download decades of someone else’s experience and wisdom into your own mind. Create a summer reading list at the beginning of the season, and consider joining or starting a book club to add accountability and deeper discussion. If traditional reading feels daunting, audiobooks count too—they’re perfect for summer road trips, walks, or while doing household tasks.

7. Simplify and Organize One Major Area of Your Life

Summer is an excellent time for a different kind of wish—the wish for simplicity and order. Choose one area of your life that feels chaotic or overwhelming and commit to transforming it. This could be your physical space (decluttering your home or organizing your garage), your digital life (cleaning up your email inbox and organizing your files), your finances (creating a budget and automating savings), or your schedule (eliminating commitments that drain you).

The process of simplifying creates both physical and mental space for what truly matters. It’s like giving yourself a gift that keeps giving—every time you open that now-organized closet or check your streamlined calendar, you’ll feel a sense of calm and control. This wish pairs beautifully with the concept of spring cleaning your mind, creating external order that supports internal clarity.

8. Contribute to Something Bigger Than Yourself

One of the most fulfilling wishes you can make is to contribute meaningfully to your community or a cause you care about. This could involve volunteering regularly for an organization, mentoring someone, organizing a community event, starting a fundraiser, or using your skills to help a nonprofit. The specificity matters here too—instead of “volunteer more,” try “volunteer 20 hours this summer at the local animal shelter” or “mentor two high school students interested in my profession.”

Research consistently shows that contributing to others increases our own happiness and sense of purpose. It also provides perspective on our own challenges and connects us with like-minded people. Summer often has volunteer opportunities specifically designed for the season—youth programs, outdoor conservation projects, or community festivals that need help. Find something that aligns with your values and skills, and watch how giving enriches your own life.

9. Reconnect with Nature in a Meaningful Way

In our increasingly digital world, many of us have become disconnected from the natural world. Make a summer wish to change that. This could look like hiking a certain number of trails, learning to identify local plants and birds, starting a garden, camping under the stars, swimming in natural bodies of water, or simply committing to watching the sunrise or sunset once a week. The goal is to reestablish your relationship with the natural world in a way that feels personally meaningful.

Time in nature has been scientifically proven to reduce stress, improve mood, boost creativity, and enhance overall well-being. It also provides a powerful antidote to the constant stimulation of modern life. Your nature wish doesn’t have to be elaborate or expensive—even regular visits to a local park or tending to houseplants can create this connection. The key is consistency and presence, truly paying attention to the natural world around you.

10. Plan Your Next Chapter with Intention

Finally, use summer’s reflective quality to get crystal clear on what you want for the next phase of your life. This wish is about dedicated planning time—perhaps a personal retreat day, a series of journaling sessions, or working with a coach or mentor. The goal is to emerge from summer with a clear strategic plan for the fall and beyond, whether that relates to your career, education, relationships, or personal development.

This meta-wish supports all your other wishes by creating a framework for sustained growth. Ask yourself powerful questions: What do I want to be different one year from now? What skills, relationships, or experiences will get me there? What do I need to release or say no to? By investing time in intentional planning during summer’s slower pace, you set yourself up for a fall and winter of purposeful action rather than reactive scrambling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pursue all 10 wishes, or can I choose just a few?
Absolutely choose what resonates with you! These 10 wishes are meant as inspiration, not obligation. You might find that 3-5 wishes feel exciting and manageable, while 10 feels overwhelming. The goal is inspiration, not stress. Select the wishes that genuinely light you up and align with where you are in your life right now. Quality of engagement matters far more than quantity of wishes.

What if I don’t achieve all my summer wishes before school starts?
First, remember that wishes are about direction and intention, not rigid deadlines. If you make significant progress on a wish but don’t fully complete it, that’s still a win. Many wishes—like establishing a health habit or deepening a relationship—are ongoing practices rather than one-time achievements. If a wish remains important to you, simply carry it forward into the fall. The summer focus simply gives you a concentrated period to make substantial progress.

How do I stay motivated when summer gets busy or I feel like giving up?
This is where the power of writing down your wishes becomes crucial. Keep your list visible—on your bathroom mirror, as your phone wallpaper, or in a journal you review weekly. Additionally, build in accountability by sharing your wishes with a friend or family member who can check in on your progress. Finally, remember your “why”—reconnect regularly with the deeper reason each wish matters to you. When motivation wanes, meaning sustains us.

Can I adjust my wishes mid-summer if my priorities change?
Absolutely! Flexibility is a strength, not a weakness. Life circumstances change, and sometimes a wish that seemed perfect in June feels irrelevant by August. Give yourself permission to adjust, refine, or even completely replace wishes that no longer serve you. The practice of regular review—perhaps a quick check-in every two weeks—helps you stay aligned with your evolving priorities rather than rigidly pursuing outdated goals.

References

• Lally, P., van Jaarsveld, C. H. M., Potts, H. W. W., & Wardle, J. (2010). How are habits formed: Modelling habit formation in the real world. European Journal of Social Psychology, 40(6), 998-1009.
• Kaplan, S. (1995). The restorative benefits of nature: Toward an integrative framework. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 15(3), 169-182.
• Clear, J. (2018). Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones. Avery.
• Rubin, G. (2015). Better Than Before: What I Learned About Making and Breaking Habits. Crown Publishers.
• Newport, C. (2016). Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World. Grand Central Publishing.

Make This Summer Count

Summer is fleeting—those warm, possibility-filled months pass more quickly than we ever expect. But with intentional wish-making, you can ensure that this summer becomes more than just a pleasant memory. It can become a transformative chapter in your life story, a season when you grew, adventured, connected, created, and moved meaningfully toward the life you want to live.

The 10 wishes outlined here aren’t meant to overwhelm you but to inspire you. Choose the ones that resonate, make them specific and actionable, and then commit to showing up for yourself throughout these precious months. Remember, the magic isn’t in the wishing—it’s in the doing, in the daily choice to honor your aspirations with action.

“Summer afternoon—summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.” — Henry James

This summer, don’t just dream—do. Don’t just wish—commit. Create a summer so rich with growth, adventure, and meaning that when the school year begins again, you’ll look back with pride and gratitude. Your future self is counting on the wishes you make today. Make them count.