to do this summer

Because Love Island can't be the plan every single day.* (*Most days though, yes.)

• I go through phases of getting my nails done & not getting my nails done, and I’m currently in the latter - especially after spending several nail appointments being frustrated by the random extra costs (I’m sorry, since when is removing my cuticles an extra $15?!). A friend of mine recommended this brand, Manucurist, which creates “active” nail polish that they call “nail make-up.” It’s so, so pretty on, doesn’t chip very quickly, and just looks so lovely on your nails. In the little picture above I’m wearing one layer of Active Blur, one layer of Active Smooth, and one layer Active Glow Cranberry. Highly recommend!!! (Also, they do free shipping over $49. That’s why I got 3 in this little bundle!)

• This post from Amy Catriona has me now convinced that I need a pocket notebook.

• I’ve been in such a reading rut, which is so disappointing. BUT I’m reading Land by Maggie O’Farrell and it is absolutely BEAUTIFUL (a Maggie rec!) - but it is a slower read for me. Trying to be ~ one ~ with the fact that sometimes I’m just going to have a slower month of reading, which kinda kills me as someone who LOVES to read and wants to get to 75 books this year! However, if you’re not ridiculous (and even if you are) I can absolutely recommend this book. Just stunning.

Honesty hour: I have felt myself rapppppidly approaching burnout in the last few weeks. Like, it might already kind of be singing at the corner of my hair.

But, here’s the thing: I’m simply determined not to let this happen. After all, I’m busy because I’m doing a bunch of things I’ve prayed for and asked for and wanted - and I either get to sit with that and be thankful for it, or sit with that and become overwhelmed by it.

I choose the first option.

However… that means I’m having to quickly reframe my own mindset (like, the call is coming from inside the house, baby), and it means I need to focus PRONTO on things that do not involve words on a computer screen.

(Besides my Substack, obviously. 🤪)

And since it’s officially SUMMER, I’m going to prolong avoid burnout by giving myself a little ~ things to do this summer ~ assignment.

You’re invited to the party, as always.

things to do this summer

To get more steps in, even when it’s 9,000 degrees outside.

People love to talk about summer being the best time for movement, but I’m kinda convinced that those people DO NOT LIVE IN TEXAS - because why is it quite literally 95+ degrees at all time?! Anyways, I’ve been lax with my steps because of how hot it is… and that’s NOT how I want to be this summer.

So, I’m trying to be better about walking (whether it’s outside early in the mornings or inside on my walking pad while I watch Love Island), and want to actually focus on some steppies.

→ My walking pad (we’ve been in a committed on-and-off relationship for about 3 years now)

To eat all the stone fruit I possibly can.

As a former Peach Orchard Employee™️ and Certified Peach Expert™️ (this is part of my lore), I love the summer MOST because it’s stone fruit season. And this summer, I want stone fruit in anything it can go in. Yogurt bowls! Oatmeal! On its own! In a smoothie! As a coffee syrup! You name it - I want it.

(Also, I want to try this peach cobbler & this peach sorbet.)

To embrace more whimsy!

Some of the ideas I’m already doing or wanting to do more of:

• Working on the community puzzle on my kitchen table (right now we’re working through this cutie Nancy Drew puzzle and this GORGEEOUUSSSS Paris puzzle is the next one)

• Writing letters & postcards just because

• Putting everything I eat or drink onto my cutest, nicest plates and glasses because why not?!

• Actually using the FRESH herbs instead of the dry ones.

• Going to the library

• Buying the dinosaur chicken nuggets at the store instead of the boring adult ones.

• Doing more silly little needlepoint canvases, of course!!!

• Adding little doodles to my work notes.

• Post-dinner ice cream runs with friends just because!

To see more movies!

Well, actually, this is something I want to be on my list… but why is there almost nothing good coming out?! So far all I’m really looking forward to are The Odyssey and One Night Only - both coming out next month.

Luckily, I love movie nights at home just as much. This summer I’m absolutely dedicated to having a few more girlie nights with popcorn and some good, iconic movies. (Any recs?!)

To say YES to more spontaneous plans.

I’d consider myself a pretty clear extrovert, but I also really love my little routines and plans - and I can definitely sit in those routines and plans. This summer, I realllly want to try a bit harder not to do that… and it’s kind of harder than expected?! (Your girl really does love her house.)

Ways I want to help more spontaneous plans may come to fruition this summer (and yes, I know spontaneous means, like…. spontaneous, but…): watching World Cup games at random bars / taking weekend trips / tacking on drinks or dessert after group dinners / not telling people “I could do later this week” even though I COULD do today*

*unless this is a date because I ain’t going on a same-day date sry. I need proper time to panic.

To NOT get freckles.

Yes, you read that correctly. One of my summer goals is to NOT get freckles, because freckles = sun damage. And we can’t be doing that in 2026, sorry.

→ The face sunscreen I have re-purchased 5 times.

To wear more dresses.

Summer is usually the season I feel… ugliest 😂 I blame the boob sweat. And the humidity. And the simple truth that my hair does crazy sh!t this time of year. However, dresses make me feel so much PRETTIER tbh. So I’m on a mission to wear more of them. Some of my favorites:

• Old Navy: this sweet, casual smocked-waist dress & this prairie dress (I saw a friend wear this and was CONVINCED it was Hill House)

• Speaking of Hill House: I have so many Hill House dresses and love them all. However, some of them are NOT boob sweat proof (for instance, my dear Ellie dresses? Not boob sweat proof). The Azalea = boob sweat proof!

• This backless dress that I felt soooo confident in

• Active dresses: I’ve always been so impressed with the active dresses from the YPB line at Abercrombie, like this one. I also am loving this one from Altar’d State which is literally… so random?!

To expose myself to more ✨culture✨

A big part of me considers Love Island as cultural anthropology.

A bigger part of me knows that there are better things to consider cultural anthropology.

All of that to say…. I want to expose myself to more (and bettter, lol) culture this summer. What that means here = museum visits!! Concerts!! More podcast episodes that aren’t just my repeats (we all know I love my F1 podcasts, but not quite)! More books that challenge my worldview!

Susie Hutcheson is a copywriter & writer based in Dallas, TX. Have questions, collaboration opportunities, or just want to say hi? Contact Sus by email at susie@susiebco.com, shop some of her favorites here & here, and follow along on Instagram.

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