What time is it?
The time of our lives, anticipation
What time is it?
Summertime, school's out scream and shout
("What Time Is It?" byHigh School Musical 2 Cast)

School is out and summer is right around the corner! As we approach summer and finish the school year, we don't have an idea of what we are going to do, or we are dreading going back to a full work schedule. What to do? I started thinking and was inspired by all the possibilities for this summer. Despite working, I want to engage in at least one of these tips to beat those gloomy summertime blues:

1. Go on a spontaneous road trip.

Some of the best vacations are the ones that are unplanned. When you just need a change of scenery, pack your bags, grab your car keys and hit the road! Extra points if you don't know where you are going until you are on the road.

2. Take up photography.

Expand your horizons and capture the world around you. Most of us have smartphones and are capable of snapping pictures. Take pictures of things you find interesting, rare, or strikingly beautiful. Taking pictures allows you to get out of your current viewpoint and see the world from a different angle. Surprise yourself with what you can learn behind the camera lens.

3. Be a tourist in your hometown.

How many times do you head into the city of your hometown, or even the city near you? This summer, really get to know your city well and act like a tourist by checking out the local hot spots.

4. Hit an outdoor music festival.

There are a lot of outdoor concerts and music festivals around this time of the year. Soak up the sun; listen to some really good tunes. There may not be any big bands or artists you like coming, but you could discover the next best artist! Check out which music festival is near you, here.

5. Take up a hobby.

Sometimes you need to do something different in your life. Finding a hobby that you really enjoy will help with that. What type of activities do you enjoy? Hobbies allow you to connect with others. Hobbies also allow you to focus your attention on the task at hand, relieving thoughts or feelings you may have about a slow or an uneventful summer.

6. Read a book or start writing.

I love to read. I love escaping to new worlds and gaining knowledge in the process. Fiction can be good to get a break from everyday life and take you deeper into a world of another. I also love to write. I write when I am happy, sad, frustrated, or even when I need to clear my head. It is a perfect way to gain knowledge about yourself and the world around you. Just read or write!

7. Volunteer.

Volunteering is such a wonderful opportunity! There are endless ways to volunteer in your town. An individual can volunteer in libraries, soup kitchens, hospitals, animal shelters, or join a non-profit organization, such as Habitat for Humanity. Focusing your energy in helping others allows you to gain perspective and make a difference in another person's life.

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Beat summertime blues by setting a goal to do a few of these suggestions. You'll soon find yourself saying goodbye to those summer time blues! This then proves Eddie Cochran wrong when he sang, “But there ain’t no cure for the summertime blues!”