School is out, the sun is hot, and you are bored…already. Whether all your high school friends are in their college towns, you are already tired of bussing tables every night, missing your sorority sisters, or maybe you are stuck taking summer class in your ghost town of a college, or maybe you are lucky and you get to spend your summer studying abroad. With a lot of freedom comes a plethora of ways to spend your summer. Let's make it the most memorable, positive, unforgettable summer yet. Here is a list of 10 things we should strive to do and or do more of this summer!
Work out and eat clean because you love your mind and your body… not because you hate it. Go on a run, take a hot yoga class, do a cleanse. Getting up and out is the hardest part. Eating healthy and exercising have remarkable benefits on your mental as well as physical health.
Make time for the things you enjoy, the things that make you feel happy and alive. Whether it be reading, writing, playing music, shooting hoops at your local YMCA, or laughing with friends over guacamole and margaritas at your favorite restaurant, make it a priority to carve out time for them.
Do something bigger than yourself. Volunteer at the SPCA, work at a camp, find something you love and enjoy. Then, go out and do it. You will find that those you dedicate your time to will undoubtedly benefit, but you will too.
Be outside as much as possible. Soak up the sun (everyone looks better when they're sun-kissed, but wear sunscreen obvi-unless you want to look like port wine cheese) spend time in nature- it could be something as simple as hiking to a nearby waterfall, or seeing the Grand Canyon for the very first time.
Go on spontaneous adventures. Zoo, concerts, festivals, aquarium etc. Spontaneity is truly what makes summertime so memorable. The best times are never planned.
Don't be afraid to try new things and go out of your comfort zone. Worst comes to worst, it's horrible and you quit-never take the class again, never order the entree again, you get the point. Try things that scare the hell out of you! It's fun and you'll probably be surprised to learn that you love it. We usually stumble on some of the greatest things when we open up our minds. (I used to hate sushi, but now I know it's bae. Prime example.)
Be in the moment and make the most of every opportunity. Road trip to a concert where you meet up with your college friends , spend a weekend at your sorority sister's river house, visit your good ol' college town for the weekend. Make it memorable. Netflix is always going to be waiting for you, so be in the here and now.
Be less reactive to negativity. This one is always hard, especially if you are as sensitive to those around you as I am, but make it a point to not let others negativity affect your happiness and positivity.
Don't hate what hates you. Work on learning to be the bigger person. When someone is mean to you, instead of acting the way they do, kill them with kindness.
Be more friendly, positive, and open-minded. This one speaks for itself. I think we can always work on saying hello in the neighborhood, or an elevator. Introducing yourself to someone new, and always looking at the glass half full instead of half-empty.
Instead of spending all your time trying to find the perfect person, work on being a better person. Whether it is being a better big sister, little brother, wife, boyfriend, christian, daughter, runner, nanny, co-worker, friend etc. You can always find ways to improve yourself. Not to impress anyone, but for your own good.
Live it up this summer, y'all. The time is here and the time is now.
