When you think of summer, you probably think of sunny, lazy days and long, adventurous nights. You think of vacations and great nights with your friends. And if you're anything like me, you think about work...
...Because that's what you're doing most of your summer vacation (or at least it feels like it). Although you're missing out on lots of good times, you know you have to make as much money as possible to make up for the damage you did over the year, and to have some before you go back to school to do even more damage.
Here are some thoughts you will understand if you're always working.
1. You're always missing out on hanging out with your friends.
Excited to go see a movie with everyone? Dying to go to the zoo with all your friends? Want to spend an hour at lunch with your crew? Too bad, you can't. You have to work.
2. You feel like you're not even experiencing summer because you're always at work.
Where are those "wild summer nights" everyone is talking about? Beach days? Road trips? Is this even summer?
3. You feel like you're watching everyone else have fun.
Don't they have work? How do they have the time? This is unfair!
4. Speaking of everyone else, you're wondering how everyone is traveling the world when you feel guilty when you buy a smoothie.
I thought we were all broke college kids. I thought we were in this together.
5. You're really starting to understand all those songs about work.
You and me both, Rihanna.
6. Your new favorite day of the week is the one you get paid.
7. Your work place is starting to feel like a second home because you're always there.
You might as well move in at this point.
8. You start getting really close with your co-workers.
Like really close. Like is-there-something-stuck-in-my-teeth close.
9. You're always tired.
Whether you're lifeguarding out in the sun all day or waiting tables all evening, you feel exhausted once your shift is over.
10. You realize you have to work for the rest of your life, and it freaks you out a little.
This isn't just a summer gig, or a one time thing. This is the beginning of many years of hard labor.
11. You start feeling really nostalgic for childhood.
Remember when we didn't have to work? When taxes weren't a thing to us? When we didn't have to pay for textbooks? Ah, the good old days.
12. By the end of the summer, you feel pretty proud of all the skills you've mastered throughout the season.
You know how to dip the perfect ice cream cone. You can check the chlorine levels in any pool on any day. You are a champion of minimum-wage jobs.
