It's that time of year again: binge-watching season. The semester is over, finals are OVER, and in our free time (that we will now have) we can spend hours on Netflix watching Netflix originals, rom-com films, and guilty pleasures. Personally, I can't wait until the final season of "Orange is the New Black" comes out this July. Usually, every summer, I stay home for several days straight just to finish bingeing, not only a season, but the entire show itself. But this summer I've decided it's definitely time I stop this unhealthy generational trend.
Today I woke up at 8 a.m., contrary to me usually getting out of bed at 12 because of my terrible summer sleeping schedule, and spent the entire day with my dad outdoors. Sure, I had my phone with me, but today was the first day in a long time that I haven't binge-watched "Jane the Virgin" and "That 70s Show," two shows I was determined to finish by the end of this summer. I can honestly say, after today, I regret spending all those nights on my laptop and letting my days be only a few hours long by waking up late.
The weather was BEAUTIFUL — a warm 75 degrees with a light breeze. It felt so good to be walking outside on the sidewalks of Queens, as well as driving through the neighborhoods with the windows down. I saw kids playing basketball in their front yards, I saw (and smelled) BBQs and cookouts. The environment was just so wholesome. This is really what I miss out on when I'm inside letting Netflix automatically play the next episode for me. I even saw the most beautiful sunset, and couldn't believe how many other sunsets I've probably missed, too.
I'm sure a lot of people already know it's better to go outside and hang out with loved ones rather than stay indoors watching TV during the summer. I've always known that as well, but it never clicked enough for me to actually change my priorities until now. I never want to take another beautiful summer day for granted ever again. I literally felt myself feeling happier and more energetic once I was at Corona Park. Plus, it's scientifically proven that spending time outside does wonders for your mental health. Thus, I'm taking full advantage of spring and summer weather, since, of course, it flies by faster than the brutally cold fall and winter weathers here in New York.
It just makes more sense to stay inside and catch up on your shows and movies when the weather is gross outside. Rainy and snowy days literally call for cuddling on the couch with a good book or program. Basically, what I've learned from coming out of my hibernation is that as cliché as it may sound, life is too damn short to be spending beautiful days indoors.
