Last summer, the following scene played out several times. My partner and I would be sitting on the porch in the evening, and one of us would say, “You know, we could be camping right now.”
We had nothing on our agenda. No work to do. Not a soul would miss us if we were off enjoying the wilderness in a tent somewhere.
But by then, it was too late. Hamburgers were already sizzling on the grill. The sun was sinking. And our tent was stowed in the basement, gathering dust in an adventureless heap.
Camping is something that brings my partner and me, and our dog, Juno, much joy. Yet during the daily hustle and bustle, we often forget to book a campsite or gather our gear for work-free days ahead. Before we know it, the summer is over and we haven’t gone on half of the outdoor adventures we wish we had.
However, time has a tendency to slip by, especially when we wish it wouldn’t. So what’s one to do?
Use a calendar. Plan ahead.
“Adulting” usually doesn’t equal fun. Yet in this case, it may lead to it.
Fun isn’t always spontaneous. Sometimes, it requires premeditation, preparation and a Google Calendar invite.
So, this week, as April rain falls outside the window, my partner and I will sit down with our calendars and mark off specific days to camp this summer. We’ll discuss where we’d like to camp, and if a spot requires a reservation, we’ll make one. We’ll map out fun like we map out work, and while a voice inside me screams in protest (it’s the same voice that scoffs at the idea of meal prep), I know it’s for the best.
With camping dates blocked off, we’ll be far more likely to pack up the tent and go. Plus, we’ll have something concrete to look forward to.
I was recently talking with a friend about this, and she told me that she takes it a step further. She and her partner actually discuss summer adventure goals. Then, once they’ve established mutual goals, they make specific plans. This helps them focus on what matters most.
For example, if they want to summit a big mountain by the end of the summer, they’ll plan several training hikes on smaller peaks throughout the season. Or, if they want to improve their whitewater paddling skills, they’ll sign up for classes, group paddles and races.
That got me thinking. Last summer, my partner and I wanted to go sea kayaking to an island where we could camp. We never got around to it. So, this summer, sea kayak camping will be one of our goals.
This organized approach to fun is closely related to another lesson I’ve recently learned about building friendships. I was listening to the NPR podcast “Life Kit” and came across an episode about why saying you should hang out won’t make you real friends, and the importance of actually scheduling plans.
If you actually want to spend time with someone, you should both look at your calendars and make a concrete plan at a specific time and place. This shows the friend that you’re serious, not just being nice and saying “we should hang out sometime.” It also takes the stress out of finding times to spontaneously connect during your busy lives.
Again, something in me rebels against this degree of planning. I enjoy a lot of freedom in how I spend my time. Yet I see the benefits of scheduling at least some of my life. So, I’m giving it a try.
In a practical sense, placing things on a calendar allows us to stay organized and not forget things, but it’s also a way of saying “this is a priority.” In American culture, we often feel guilty prioritizing anything above work. However, I’d argue that penciling in “outdoor time” and “friend time” is crucial to our health.
Planning ahead is also a necessity when trying to get together with a group of people who all have different schedules.
For example, each summer, my extended family camps together in Baxter State Park. We’ve been doing this for nearly 30 years. To make this tradition possible, my uncle hosts a planning party months ahead of time so we can compare our calendars and select a date when the most people can attend. This also allows us plenty of time to reserve a group campsite.
I hope this column encourages you to plan some outdoor adventures for summer and mark them on your calendar. Just be sure to leave a few days open for lazy evenings on the porch grilling burgers. That’s important, too.
