1. Snapping pictures on a nature walk
This is a fun activity for all ages. Take your grandparents with you on a nature walk at a park or any pathway with trees and flowers. Enjoy the sights, smells, and sounds of the wildlife. If there is a local pool or picnic area nearby, the day will be even more fun. Open spaces are great for taking photos to make the memories last, so make sure to bring a camera.
2. Doing a landscape painting
Another outdoor activity that is both fun and relaxing is painting a picture of the scenery. Whether you are a beginner or experienced artist, this is an activity that everyone will love. Open your creativity and really capture an image that photographs do not. Be sure to take your time as you take in the environment. Afterward, the painting you made can be given as a gift for a special occasion or hung on the wall as a memory.
3. Heading to the movies
There are plenty of amazing movies that families can go see during the summer (there are always new ones announced months in advance) they might enjoy. Either an adventure or comedy will be good, since you do not want the film to be too loud or intense. After school is over, this is a nice way to spend time with family while enjoying a summer blockbuster. Visiting a nice restaurant after and talking about what you thought of the movie is a great end to a wonderful day.
4. Making tye-dye t-shirts
Here is another summer activity that will give your shirts a more creative look. Tye-dye shirts are really cool and families will love mixing colors together to create their own unique shirts. Go crazy and have a blast with the design process. If you prefer, you can also go and have a family photo printed on a t-shirt. This will make a great memory of the summer.
5. Taking a trip to the beach
The beach is a wonderful place to go during the summer. There is so much to enjoy and activities to do with family. Feeling the sun on your skin and smelling the ocean will certainly bring you nostalgia. Take a walk along the shore, go for a swim, play Frisbee, or take pictures of the horizon. Grandparents will love the beach and getting the opportunity to catch some fish (weather permitting) and watch the sunset.
6. Visiting a flea or farmer's market
The summer is also the time where vendors will be providing a variety of delicious fruits and vegetables, along with homemade crafts and valuables. Families and grandparents will love picking freshly grown fruit or searching for collectibles. Here you can find great products and the chance to try some organic food. It's also great exercise and the opportunity to appreciate the outdoors. If you really enjoy going, this can become an annual tradition every summer.
7. Going on a fishing trip
Here is a fun activity that all families will enjoy, although it takes a little bit of skill and luck. If you can rent a boat for the summer, try to catch some tasty fish for dinner. This is one of the best ways to enjoy the sun and have fun conversations. Make sure that the weather is nice, and that nobody gets sick. Fishing is an activity that does not require too much strength, but can still be considered a fun summer event.
8. Spending the day at the public pool
There is usually a pool close to home where everyone can bring their families. Here is a chance to stop by and go for a swim. Bring food and bask in the sun (make sure to arrive early to get chairs) before jumping in the water and practicing laps. If there is a water slide, that's another great option. The pool is a place you need to check out during the summer.
9. Watching a live concert or sporting event
Anyone who is a sports fan will like seeing their favorite team or band playing live. Get tickets and either travel to the city, venue, or stadium of your choice to watch them. This is an activity that will bring memories since you were there to see it with close family or relatives. Please refrain from snapping too many pictures. Tune in and have an amazing time.
10. Volunteering for a charitable event
This is a summer activity that brings families together while giving back to the community. Local soup kitchens, churches or other organizations are usually looking for people to donate and participate over the summer. The public library is another great place with fun events. For students, this will be great for resumes, and it's a way to connect with family and the community. It does not matter what charity it is (make sure it's legit) since you are making a difference in society.
Looking for inspiration, or that extra spark to get you out of your seat? Well look no further, here are some of the best travel quotes that will inspire your next adventure.
1. "I haven't been everywhere, but it's on the list."
-Susan Sontag
2. "The world is big and I want to have a good look at it before it gets dark."
-John Muir
3. "You have exactly one life to do everything you'll ever do-act accordingly."
-Colin Wright
4. "Traveling-it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller."
-Ibn Batutta
5. "Travel...the only thing you buy that makes you richer..."
-Anonymous
6. "Travel. Because money returns. Time doesn't."
-Anonymous
7. "We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us."
-Anonymous
8. “Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.”
-Andre Gide
9. "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all."
-Helen Keller
10. “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
-Mark Twain
11. “I’m in love with cities I’ve never been to and people I’ve never met.”
-John Green
12. “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”
-Augustine of Hippo
13. “Live your life by a compass not a clock.”
-Stephen Covey
14. “Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.”
-Dalai Lama
15. “A ship in a harbor is safe, but it not what ships are built for.”
-John A. Shedd
16. “To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries”
-Aldous Huxley
17. “It’s not what you look at that matters. It’s what you see.”
-Henry David Thoreau
18. “The only trip you will regret is the one you don't take.”
-Anonymous
19. "She wasn't bored, just restless between adventures."
-Atticus
20. "One's destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things."
-Henry Miller
21. "All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware."
-Martin Buber
22. "People don't take trips... trips take people."
-John Steinbeck
23. "Not all those who wander are lost."
-J.R.R. Tolkein
24. "The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page."
-St Augustine
25. "Good things come to those who book flights."
-@boldtuesday
26. "Better to see something once than to hear about it a thousand times."
-Asian Proverb
27. "It's time for a new adventure."
-You
Go. Go far. Go fast. Your next adventure awaits.
Feel free to take in your sadness, let it linger, but do not let it overstay its welcome. And at times when you struggle to think of anything else but your misery, come back to this article
Here is everything you should do or think about instead of dwelling on your sadness.
The sun rises without fail, and so should you
GiphyWhatever negativity the day may bring to you, it always comes to an end. And when you feel as though you've been stuck in this perpetual darkness, remember that the sun rises time and time again, without failure.
Happiness would not be nearly as gracious if sadness did not exist
GiphyIf we were always happy, would achieving happiness really mean anything anymore? Think back to the time when you struggled to complete a goal. Would the goal truly be rewarding, if you didn't suffer along the way? The same goes for achieving happiness: the feeling would not be nearly as fruitful without the difficulty.
There was a point in time where you were happier. Think back to that time & brainstorm how you can return to it
GiphyRecall back to that time when you and your friend created the best of memories; Call said friend and create some more. Happiness is only made when YOU take action to cultivate it.
Even if it doesn't feel like at times, there is always at least one person in the world that cares about you
GiphyEven if that person is a stranger or not. There are hundreds of thousands of people out there who wish to lend a helping hand to those who often forget. Know the value of your life, the worth of yourself.
Fall back on your favorite hobbies -- let them do their magic for you
GiphyA hobby wouldn't be a hobby if it didn't bring you some sort of joy or comfort. Remember why it is you do what you love. If you don't have a hobby just yet, feel free to experiment and find what it is you love to do.
Understand that you are human, and humans fluctuate emotions
GiphyWhat you may appear on social media or in public may not always reflect how you appear on the inside. Life is life: it's not a storybook or fairy tale where everything is fair. Understand the variation of your emotions, and how you can work to slip out of your sadness just as easily as you may slip in.
There is so much beauty in the world. It's only a matter of traveling out to see it
GiphyNow that doesn't necessarily mean you need to book a flight & go ((also, that is perfectly viable if you wish to do so)). Even if its a matter of heading out to the state next over, or even the town. See a different environment for a change & find new ways to produce your joy.
Step out of your comfort zone & find yourself elsewhere
GiphyTake those tiny steps towards the bigger picture. Maybe all you really need is a bit of a refresher, a new lifestyle to entertain you. Don't be afraid to try new things & be sure to do lots of testing out.
Take risks & involve yourself with new people, new energy
GiphyFinding a new group of friends can be beneficial for those who feel as though their friends are lacking in showing support. Surrounding yourself in positivity will unsure positivity being transferred into you.
Turn on that TV or movie of yours that makes you laugh until you cry
GiphyEverybody needs a good laugh from time to time, and what better time to do so than when you need it the most. Laugh as though nobody is around.
Your pets love you
GiphyYou love your pets tremendously, but don't forget that the feeling is mutual. Spend a little extra time today with that special loved one, and enjoy their company as long as you need.
Be one with nature
GiphyBecome one with Mother Nature, and truly take in your surroundings and the world around you. Remember that this planet is your home, and when you take the time to take care of it, it will reward you tenfold.
De-stress by pampering & taking care of yourself
GiphyYou only get one body in life -- take care of it. By going the extra mile on yourself, not only will you feel refreshed and rejuvenated, but the same feelings with transfer over into your mood as well.
Shift your attention from the past into the future
GiphyNo point in dwelling in the place you cannot change. Rather, focus your attention on the future, something you can change & manipulate. Steady planning now will ultimately lead you in the right direction.
Organize your life & promote productivity
GiphyA clear mind is a happy mind. If you find yourself struggling to cope with everything you have to do in life, write it down! We often stress ourselves far too much simply trying to remember tasks. A great way to relieve that pressure is to delve into journaling, calendar creating, etc.
Talk to yourself
GiphyIf all else fails, instead of taking advice from others, try taking advice from yourself. We often give the best advice but never seem to take it for ourselves. Look yourself in the mirror, let yourself be aware of your circumstances, and understand that in the end, everything works itself out with time.
18. Jamaica
There are many ways to stay safe when traveling alone, don't let being scared stop you from going to new places!
1. ALWAYS be aware of your surroundings.
One of the perks of being a girl is that you always need to be on guard when you're alone. When walking around, check behind you after each block to make sure that no one is following you. Most of the time they will be farther back, not closely behind you. Trust your gut instincts. If you do notice someone following you, do not go back to your hotel, and make sure you are around other people. If you feel threatened, stop inside a busy place, like a Starbucks. Don't be afraid to ask for help.
2. Try to book a hotel that has an airport shuttle.
A female in a new city in an Uber or taxi alone is not a good combination. Take a shared shuttle to your hotel, or UBER Pool so that there are other people with you. Share the driver's name, license plate, and description with someone back home who can keep track of you. You can also use your maps app to make sure you are on the correct route. Better safe than sorry.
3. Stay close to your hotel at night.
When the sun goes down, it's best to hang out close to your hotel or in your hotel. There are less people out at night, and it's more difficult to be aware of your surroundings when it's dark out. Most hotels have a variety of things to do inside. You can work out, eat at the hotel's restaurant, swim in the pool, or hang out in the courtyard area. I always bring my computer so that I can watch Netflix and look up things to do the next day, and a book to relax before going to bed.
4. Be careful about which strangers you talk to.
It's not that you shouldn't talk to strangers at all — although it is best to try not to — it's that you should carefully pick which strangers you do talk to. Whenever I want a picture of myself taken or directions, I look for a middle-aged, middle-class couple or a group of early-20s girls. Yes, there will be cute guys, but chances are it's not safe to talk to or meet up with a guy that you do not know, in a city that you are not comfortable in.
5. Look up directions to where you are going before you leave.
Whenever I go to get food, coffee, or to a specific location, I figure out the directions on maps and write them down in my phone. A person walking alone while using their map app on their phone is a target because a) they don't know where they are going and b) since they are needing directions, they most likely are not from the area. I have an Apple Watch, so if the directions are too complicated to write down, I use my watch for directions and it's less obvious than having my phone out. Knowing exactly how to get where you're going also helps you avoid needing to ask for directions and looking lost.
6. Let someone back home know where you are going throughout the day.
Whether it's your mom, dad, friend, boyfriend, girlfriend, grandparent, etc., have someone who can keep track of your whereabouts. I have my location on with my mom and dad through iMessage so that they can see where I am, and I update them on what I am doing each day. Worst case scenario, if anything bad happens to me, them knowing my activities that day can really help to find me or know what happened.
7. Do not post your location while you are at that place.
With social media, we always want to post what we're up to. If you're at a coffee shop or restaurant, either don't use a location filter, or wait to post it until after you leave. This way, no one online can see where you are and track you down. I do recommend putting your Instagram on private while you are on your trip. This way random people can't see what you look like and where you are.
8. Have fun!
Traveling is one of the greatest pleasures in life. Don't let being scared or having no one to go with stop you from going where you want to go! See new things, explore new places and enjoy time with yourself. There's so much out there in the world, go to it!
By traveling alone a couple times this past year, I have learned a lot about myself. I have learned how to be comfortable with my own company, but I have also learned that sometimes life is more about who you spend it with, rather than what you do in it. If you are thinking about traveling alone, go for it. There are so many ways to stay safe and have the time of your life!
