Growing up watching "Full House", "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" and plenty of Disney Channel shows, I aspired to be just like all of the prominent women in each of these shows. From their great fashion sense, to having the ranges of girly-girl and goth friends, to having the exact same love life each of them had. To bring back a specific, when Hannah Montana had to choose between Jake and Jesse. After one fictional break-up, another perfect prince slides right in. How do you do it?! Actually, I could care less. I realized this past year, my dreams and hopes of finding a significant other is put on the back burner of the stove that I have currently not purchased yet in Sears. Whether being a social butterfly is your calling or just having a surplus of that much needed alone time, I have discovered in just a few weeks, doing things alone or with a girlfriend, is amazing. This is a time to work on you and discover the little things now.
1. Working Out
I know, I know. This is that wake up call, we all strived to reach that goal summer body with our good friends at school trying to support one another and we are getting so close! If you don't have a gym membership, usually gyms offer a 7-day free trial or something similar! Also having a Costco membership offers a deal with 24 Hour Fitness, or just simply finding a gym that eases your wallet into a transition is available!
2. Food Food and Food
Simple eats, tasty desserts and lazy lunch recipes are all over Facebook, Pinterest and Buzzfeed. Instead of wiping your mouth on that cute top you just bought from your last shopping spree,waltz on over to your kitchen and see if mom, dad, roomie, or you bought on that last magical journey to the grocery store and create a masterpiece! It is also enjoyable to deviate from the recipe and combine some other ones you discover to create something of your own and write it down.
PS, adding fresh fruit to just about anything (think twice with pasta) makes it 1000% better.
3. Explore your city
Google is your best friend this summer. Search "Events near (your city)" and endless opportunities will arise before you! Adding in the word "free" doesn't hurt either! Free art festivals in nearby parks, ferry tours of a beautiful city, fishing, or even renting out a cabin can help you explore that backyard territory you had no idea that existed. Another rising hot topic is Geocaching! Going to a walking path, a beach or walking on a side walk in your town will show you plenty of cool treasures! Look at the App Store if your phone is capable!
4. Animals!
Who doesn't like animals!? Whenever I found myself laying in bed for 3 hours after I woke up, I found something that got me to gain instant strength to swing my feet around... animals! If you have a pet, even better! I used to find local dog parks and get to know common dog lovers and meet so many cuties! I now find so much happiness stopping by the local Humane Society to give a dog a quick walk or scratch the tummy of a kitten! Be respectable of those looking to adopt, but who knows, maybe you will too. Also, dog conventions pop- up a lot around big cities, so if you live near one, you my friend, are in for a treat!
5. Throwback
Remember the good times in the backyard growing up? Setting up a tent, creating homemade lemonade, and setting up that slip and slide?! That is all back. Have a few friends over and re- create that backyard fun! Having a large hill and smooth tarps create a great time for a massive slip and slide! After a long day in the sun, playing yard games and making some great drinks and snacks, camp out! Enjoy those summer nights while you can, stare gaze away and add in a bonfire!
6. Spontaneous
If all else fails, or you discover that those aren't just feeding your summer needs, do something out of the box. Follow your favorite musician around to large cities, or take that drive to California that you and your best friend have always wanted to do. Hostels and Airbnb are cheap travel tools to site see and have fun on a college budget! Or visit WWOOF USA to find places to volunteer on organic farms as they pay for your accommodations. There is always a way!
These are just some easy tips to get you started. This will help you brainstorm throughout your summer or follow these exact tips.
I wish each and everyone of you an amazing time, be safe and happy single summer sixteen!
