Jackson Free Press

When we're little, the summer seems like this magical time of the year, full of possibility and promise. When we're adults, (for most of us, at least) the summer no longer means little to no responsibilities, but it still holds a certain kind of enchantment. The sun is still out when I leave the office, its grilling season and good weather means more time outside, more Vitamin D and less time wasted away on the Internet—hopefully.

Let's be honest, we all spend way too much time staring at our phones (and tablets and computers and video-game consoles and televisions). The longer days of summer just beg for doing more, but all too often, we succumb to the siren song of Netflix marathons on the couch.

It's not quite summer, yet, if we're going by the typical school calendar, but it's coming fast. And since a year-round job means no true summer break anyway, I tend to consider the season officially started once it's iced coffee season, anyway. Go ahead, start enjoying your "summer" today.

Something I've seen pop up across the blogosphere online in recent years is the idea of creating a summer manifesto each year. It can take on different forms, but basically it's a list of things you want to do during the season.

Here are some ideas for thing to create your own summer manifesto, all things you can do on your weekends or evenings off work:

• Grill something you've never grilled before.

• Train for and run a 5K, 10K or half marathon.

• Take your lunch breaks outside.

• Visit three museums in Jackson.

• Kayak the Bogue Chitto.

• Go to an M-Braves game.

• Take the Megabus to New Orleans or Memphis and back.

• Spend a whole day off the Internet.

• Come up with your own signature cocktail for the summer. Put real fruit in it.

• Adopt the idea that an ideal bikini body is simply putting a bikini on your body—or not. Wear what you want and don't feel bad about it.

• Re-read your favorite book from childhood.

• Eat at least one really long, leisurely meal on a patio somewhere.

• See fireworks.

• Host a local craft beer tasting with your friends.

• Try your hand at an art form or craft you've never done before.

• Keep a plant alive for the whole season (and, hopefully, beyond).