To accompany the first article in the “Skills for the Summer” series, this second list will focus on some more personal talents you can develop during your summer's free time. While building your resume is certainly a worthwhile activity, setting and achieving goals for skills that will add to your personal repertoire is also very rewarding. These gratifying activities will get you off the couch and in-touch with your own interests, all while building an aptitude for activities that you use in your every day life.
1. Working out/Getting fit
Although this may not seem like a “skill” per say, learning what kind of workout best fits your lifestyle and body is certainly an important ability. If you are bored with your normal workout (or you have yet to begin), try new activities to get your blood pumping. Bad joints? Swimming instead of running might be a good option. Like to get sweaty but hate running? Tennis or volleyball might be best for you. Finding a sport or activity that challenges you while also making you happy may take some time and effort. But once you do, the payback will be worth it!
2. Journaling
In the resume-building article for "Skills for the Summer," writing was one of the nine possible knacks to learn. And while writing and journaling are very similar, journaling may help you dive into more personal aspects of your life. Even if you only write one sentence a day, taking time to jot down your thoughts can bring some clarity to your life and help you track your ideas. So even if you do not take the time to be a “skillful” writer, journaling can help your personal and mental health.
3. Cleaning
What? Yes, before you write off cleaning as having no potential to be a “fun” or “gratifying” activity, try it! Since it can be difficult to multitask while cleaning (for instance, scrolling through Facebook while washing dishes), this skill makes you stop for a while and focus on the task at hand. When your body is physically involved or busy with a task, your mind is free to think and yes, even relax. And if being alone with your own thoughts is too terrifying, putting on music and jamming out to some tunes while you work can not only be fun but also increase your productivity. Much like cooking, this skill gives you an instant, physical result.
4. Cooking
After your workout, of course you will be hungry, and food is a great way to maintain a body-positive lifestyle. Learning how to cook with nutrition in mind is certainly a skill worth pursuing. But if you are like me and you love bacon, maybe finding 25 recipes that use bacon is more worthwhile. While developing a capability for healthy cooking is important, indulging in fun, funky recipes should definitely be on your “skills to learn” list. Besides the fact that you will need to feed yourself at some point in your life, cooking can easily become a hobby! It is a skill that you can enjoy right away. Bon appetite!
5. Finding activities near you
Especially if you live in a smaller town, finding activities near you can take some time and know-how. Searches online or a visit to your local parks and recreation office can give you an idea as to what is happening near you. Finding a concert, festival or even something as simple as a garage sale can make any day fun. Taking time to let yourself wander is fun and rewarding, especially if you stumble onto something cool! Learn about the adult sports leagues in your neighborhood; find out if there are any clubs/meet-ups near you. And if there are no planned activities happening, weekend trips can be a low-budget way to have fun.
6. Traveling
Although walking around with a camera or lounging on a beach takes little skill, the effort and planning that goes into traveling is enough hassle to make it onto this list. Finding affordable transportation, safe housing and available eating takes a large amount of planning. Whether you are going away for just a weekend or for an entire week, by yourself or with a group, every meal, night and day should have a loose structure in order to make sure that your money and time are not wasted. And while taking a spur-of-the-moment trip should not be frowned upon, it is important to assess and build your traveling skills before and during your adventure. The good news is that the more you travel, the better at it you will become. Airport navigation will be easier and that tent that took you an hour to pop up last time will soon be a breeze. Self-care and self-direction will help you become a savvy traveler in no time.
If you skimmed this article, here are the three major themes:
1. Take time to grow your personal skills and yourself this summer. Discover new talents or build upon old ones.
2. Even if something on this list seems downright painful, try it anyway. You cannot learn your talents and interests if you do not try. (Yes, I am referring to number four.)
3. This list is not complete. Take your own adventures, make your own mistakes. Have some fun during these summer months.
