Summer Break Is Finally Here...Now What?

I'm going to be brutally honest with you, these were the first two words that popped into my head as soon as I arrived home from college: "Now What?"Living in one of the smaller suburbs of Chicago is pretty agonizing for me now that I'm older than high school but younger than actual adult because there's almost nothing to do for my age range. And because I was so used to being constantly busy and being social at school these past two semesters, my summer spirit animal is now a snail. So now I'm stuck here. And I have no idea how I'm going to get through these next three months.

You might be thinking, "Maybe I could stay in my room the entire time. I mean, I'd only have to go out if I needed to use the bathroom or make myself some food. I'll get a lot of work and practice done, and I'll get all the time I need to myself. Then again, I still share a room with my younger brother. And I guess I have other responsibilities around the house, too. I don't know if I can be cooped up in my room for that long without going crazy." Or maybe that's just me.

You may not be placed in the same situation that I'm in, but one thing's for sure: boredom equals insanity during the summer. Here are three things I try to do to have at least a decent three-month break:

1. Stay occupied.

We all love social media, and it doesn't help that we're so inclined to immediately pull out our phones if we're even the slightest bit bored. But what's the point of posting pictures and status updates if you don't have anything to post about besides being cooped up in your bedroom?

I suggest changing things up for a bit. Read one of your favorite books instead of listening to another audiobook. Play a board game with a few friends or family members instead of playing Clash of Clans by yourself. Cook up a new recipe. Try your hand at free writing. Expand your musical horizon and listen to new genres or bands. If you have the motivation, start getting organized and making plans for your next semester. Use this time to let your mind become creative and active, not sluggish. Your brain may not literally turn into the cafeteria special if you become lazy, but chances are that being active in some manner will keep you positive and calm.

2. Get out of the house.

Yes, the couch in the living room may be undeniably comfortable, but don't become too attached to it. You're not a potato. Grab your keys and close the door to isolation. Go grocery shopping. Take a walk or go for a run around the neighborhood. Do some gardening. It could be even as brief as simply going outside for a few breaths of fresh air. And if you haven't moved on from every person you met in high school, make sure to take time and connect with them. Coffee runs during the summer are pretty epic with large groups of people. Buy some tickets and go to a concert, whether it's Beyoncé's World Tour or a show from your favorite local band. Help out around the community, or even go on a missions trip (I highly encourage that). Go to the beach, for crying out loud! Don't be confined to the walls of your own home.

3. Relax and have fun.

You've worked hard these past two semesters. Treat this as your Sabbath. You didn't have the time to stop and smell the flowers until this point. So do it. Have a drink and kick your legs up on your recliner. Skip the coffee and sleep in until you become nocturnal. Have another Netflix & Chill date with yourself. You deserve this rest. You won't get this leisure time back until next year, so make the most of it.

And pretty soon you'll be back in school again! Just don't think about the hundreds of papers you'll have to procrastinate once you get back on campus and you'll be fine. Hang in there!