Everyone begins their summer with "This is going to be the best one yet!!" and a bucket list of plans and ideas of how you're really going to make this summer count. Most of the time you're sitting on your couch on in the middle of August, potato chips in one hand, remote in the other, and you realize this is all you did for the past two months. If you listen closely you can hear a thousand teenagers tweeting #SOML in the distance. And it's true, I've been there, but this summer was different. This summer was worth it.
1. Get out of the house
There's a world of possibilities out there, there's a whole new world beyond your Netflix account, I promise. Check out local restaurants and businesses you've never been before. Take your best friend on a lunch date to a cafe and walk down the main street and stop by the local flower shop and buy something for someone you love.
2. Travel
You can go to the next town over and try the best cupcakes this side of the Mississippi River or you can plan a nine-hour road trip, where you have full access to the aux cord so you have no other choice but to play Jonas Brother throwbacks.
3. Bring your best friend with you.
All of them. Everywhere. Chances are you're going to have to go your separate ways in the fall and as much as this may suck, you still have the entire summer together so don't waste it. Take a kayaking trip down the river and stay out so late that you can see more stars than you could count in your entire lifetime. Set up a hammock, listen to your favorite music, and laugh until your stomach hurts. They're the best for a reason.
4. Volunteer
Go to a local animal shelter and help out. Every animal out there has a story and deserves attention, and I'm sure the shelter would appreciate a helping hand on a hot summer day. We receive kindness from others constantly, be sure to give it back to others as well.
5. Go to a festival
Or a concert. You can do anything from a local festival with a couple bands and food trucks to Coachella 2016, baby! Everybody could use an overpriced food vendor and a little bit of good music sometimes. Honestly, some of my favorite memories have been at festivals - I love music, I love my friends, and I love showing my friends good music.
6. Meet someone new
Just talk to someone, everyone has a story. Maybe he is an Elvis impersonator on the side and maybe she's planning on backpacking across Europe next year.
7. Get off your phone
While capturing memories is a great excuse to have your iPhone 6 plus glued to your hand at all times, don't forget to actually live in the memories. Like when you go to a festival, I'm sure the 20 videos in a row of The Weeknd seem like a good idea at the time, but later when you go back and can't make out a single word and realize you spent more time trying to get better lighting rather than jamming out you'll regret it. Capture when you can, but focus on living in the moment instead.
8. Try something new.
Go camping, try that quaint new Argentinian cafe downtown, dye your hair a new color, or get a pixie cut. There's a world full of trouble you could get into, don't waste it.
9. Time is of the essence - don't waste it
Maybe iHop is calling your name at 2 a.m. - go there. Every hour is pancake hour. This is supposed to be the time of our lives, so don't spend it on the couch eating chips. Summer is made to be spent in the sun, making memories, and having fun.
So cheers, to the best summer ever!
