I'm Done Attempting To Curate The Perfect Summer
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

I'm Done Attempting To Curate The Perfect Summer

It's safe to say that this year has permanently changed my outlook.

72
I'm Done Attempting To Curate The Perfect Summer
Photo courtesy of Emily Murman.

Year after year, mid-August becomes the perfect time to panic. The never-ending stream of "I wish I'd done more this summer" and "I'm pretty sure all I did was sit around" blends with the cicada chirps into one giant, anxiety-inducing, end-of-summer alarm. However, out of all my summers, this one has taught me the importance of lowering my expectations and enjoying the smaller things.

May wasn't too long ago, but looking back I can point out endless examples of unrealistically high summer expectations. My friends and I had a group chat where we'd share our bucket-list ideas for the next three months. I tried building a base tan in moderately sunny, 72-degree weather. My Pinterest feed was suddenly flooded with "Summer Sixteen" boards. I even spent a good two weeks furiously planning a trip to Poland with my dad that I was pretty sure we'd be going on.

Although May was the month where I was dominated by end-of-school excitement, it's last few weeks brought me back to reality. Plans with friends were quickly dissolved by work and distance complications, and it was still too early to lay around at the pool. Then, on a cool, rainy day (which I tried to make up for by taking my sister to the ice cream parlor and movie store), I stopped by my grandma's house to find that she had very suddenly passed away. I didn't anticipate her death or the speeding halt at which summer would stop and everyone crumbled under inexplicable grief and stress. All of my previous encounters with death had come with fair warning.

Summer turned into finding ways to distract myself from pain. The Poland trip was off, and I spent quite a bit of free time helping my family, but I don't feel as if I missed out on anything spectacular. This is truly the first time I have been completely at peace with how my season has panned out. Just this past week, we held a memorial service and week-long reunion in honor of my grandma and great-grandfather (who passed away in February). It has been seven days of about 60 family members figuring out where to stay, what outings to go on, how to grieve and more. Understandably, I haven't had much time to live out my old, incredibly unrealistic summer expectations. I've quietly canceled plans with friends and taken some time off of work. Astoundingly enough, I'm not filled with any fear of missing out.

I go back to school on the 25th. I can't make up my mind about how I feel about it. However, I do know that after the emotional roller coaster that has been these three months, I don't feel obligated to make up for any lack of an extravagant vacation, music festival weekend, camp experience or parties. I am perfectly content with enjoying the small things. I've taken my dad's pickup truck on some long, late-afternoon rides, fallen asleep to Beatles records, watched the sun set from the top of a parking garage, stared at the stars, spent nights at the playground with my little cousins, walked in the rain, made it about halfway through the book I was so desperate to read and sipped tea in bed. Summer '16's last few weeks have been quiet and bittersweet, just as I have needed them to be.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

53513
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

34416
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

956933
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

181663
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments