There's no doubt about it; we all look forward to summer vacation: running through fields with flowers in our hair, dancing around bonfires, picnicking in grassy meadows, enjoying boundless days of sunshine-glazed freedom. But if you're anything like me, almost a month of summer has come and gone with nothing but the knowledge of "12 Super Tasteful Dainty Tattoos" and "41 Reasons Why Sammy the Seal is Actually You" to show for it. While I certainly enjoy mindlessly browsing those articles just as much as the next fellow, here are 10 ways to combat (at least a little bit of that) good old summer boredom.
1. Experiment with making healthy versions of your favorite recipes, without just looking up healthy recipes.
Here are a couple of hints: Contrary to popular belief, salads aren't the only healthy options out there. Make your food pretty with as many different colors of fruits and vegetables as you can- it's more fun that way. And frozen bananas are a fabulous substitute for so many things.
2. Think of a friend who speaks a foreign language. Learn as many relevant phrases as you can in that language. Call them and try to respond to anything they say using only those phrases.
Some phrases I'd recommend: "Hello", "I don't know", "Let's eat", "My name is ___", etc....
Your friend's amusement (or frustration) when your response to "Hey, what's up?" is "My name is ___. Let's eat" in what's likely to be an awfully accented but good-natured attempt at their language is quite fun. See how long you can make the conversation last!
3. Organize your bookshelves.
By color, by author, by genre... whatever makes you most satisfied!
4. Watch your favorite childhood movie or TV show.
5. Kidnap a close friend. SAFELY.
Show up at his or her house without warning (tell the parents beforehand if necessary), treat them to a nice lunch or throw them in the neighborhood pool, do whatever you do with your besties!
6. Refresh a skill that you haven't used for a long time.
It's been far too long since I've played piano, and while the grating on my ears may or may not be worth it, at least I'm starting to get a little musical sense back! (I hope, at least.)
7. Find a local outdoor gem that you've never been to or heard of before, and go explore!
One that I've been meaning to go to myself: Sunflower Farm in Longmont, Colorado.
8. Read.
Reading for fun is difficult to do over the busy school year, but summer is the perfect time to satiate that need! I know some people disagree with me over this one... but "All Qiuiet on the Western Front," by Erich Maria Remarque is a phenomenal read!
9. Set a big goal and take little steps to accomplish it.
Big goal: Run a 10K or half marathon by the end of July. Daily goal: Run a few miles a day.
10. Get together with friends and make lists of festivals, restaurants, parks... destinations that you can pick from whenever you can't decide what to do or where to go.
Whether it be a foreign foods list with restaurants like Little India and Star Kitchen, or a festivals list with celebrations such as the Cherry Blossom Festival or Renaissance Festival, these lists guarantee that you'll always have something to do!
Of course, there is a part of summer that is reserved solely for blindly browsing the internet... but should your boredom call for something new and different: here are your ten ways to combat your summer boredom!
