School's out, so naturally everyone is stoked to go on as many vacations and road trips as possible, stay up till 3am every morning, and eat way too much ice cream, but for those of us who don't have the luxury of not working or going to school this summer, it's a completely different story. We're preparing to watch everyone else go on their vacations, function during the brutal mornings after we stay up till 3am, and eating ice cream in our bed while we sulk about not being able to see our friends.
But it's totally happening; the days of actually getting bored during the summer because you have already hung out with all of your friends 1,000,000 times are over. So, what do you have to do if you are trying to find this balance between never growing up, and attempting to be an adult?
1. Never turn down your friends just because you are tired.
I get it. Waking up every morning for a real 9-6pm job is not the most fun thing ever, and it drains you of basically all energy... BUT, you'll regret not seeing your friends as much during the summer if you don't try to compromise. Instead of going to the club for endless drinks ask them to make dinner reservations somewhere close to there! Then you are able to go eat, maybe get a drink or two, and make your way home feeling like you actually still have a life outside of work.
2. Use your time off wisely.
As much as you are going to want to hang with friends every second you have off, make sure you always leave yourself enough time to get a good night's rest, nap if necessary, and see your family enough. These things are so vital to making your summer the best it can possibility be. Without sleep and a good family visit to keep you grounded, you won't be able to hang with your friends and balance work like you think you can!
3. Make time for what makes you happy.
In the midst of cramming your life into perfect little slots of time to make sure you do everything you planned, don't forget about yourself. If you really don't want to go out tonight, don't. Just because you missed it tonight, doesn't mean your whole summer is a waste, it just means you are choosing to give and take within the ratio of being social and alone, and that's kind of necessary. If you want to clear your mind and go for a run, do it; and then go home and eat pizza and watch "The Office." The things that make you happy are important in keeping you mentally sane and focused during such a hectic summer!
4. Call your mom when all else fails, or when everything is going right.
Does anyone else know exactly what to say to you when you're following your dreams and becoming exactly who you want to be? No. Does anyone else know exactly what to say when you are completely falling apart over the fact that your pizza came out with the wrong toppings and you can't wear your favorite jeans anymore? No. Only your mom. So call her.... a lot.
5. Take small road trips
Wherever you are for the summer, you have to make a point to get out of that area even for a day. Go explore the cities or towns next to you, go on a hike, or to the beach! No matter what you decide to do, being in a different setting - even if it's just for a day - will give you a little peace of mind and make you feel like you didn't miss out on so much this summer.
Summer is always going to be the time to live it up and do things you can't do during any other time of the year. Just because you are working your life away doesn't mean you have to miss out on all the fun, it just means learning the art of balance will be your biggest priority! Attempting to be adults has never been more of a struggle, and it all started in summer '16!
