It seems like just yesterday I was taking my finals and packing up my dorm room, saying a tearful goodbye to friends I wouldn’t see for 4 excruciatingly long months, and now all of a sudden, one of those months is gone in the blink of an eye. So I’m taking a moment to evaluate just exactly what it is I want out of these new few months. When I look back on my first summer after college, I want to be able to say I lived it fully and with no regrets. I don’t want to rush through some of the best months of my life simply because I can’t wait to return to school. So this summer, summer of 2016, I will do many things.
This summer I will go on more adventures. I will drive, walk, bike, and run to places I’ve never been to or places I have been and I will view them differently. I will not—I repeat will not—sit inside on the couch complaining of boredom when there are perfectly good friends to visit and places to be explored. I will stay out late and appreciate the beauty that is a homework free weekend once again. I will watch the sun rise; I will watch it set. I will soak up every second in between and seize every moment.
This summer I will work. I will commit myself to my job and to being an outstanding employee, even if it is just a typical college kid summer gig. I will show up on time. I will go above and beyond. I won’t request any days off that I don’t need. I will appreciate my paychecks and not blow through them, spending on stupid things, because college has taught me to appreciate the value of what I earn.
This summer I will learn. I will take a summer class. I will read a book—or twenty—strictly for the pure enjoyment of it for the first time in a long time. I will watch the news and read the paper and actually stay up to date on current events. I will teach myself to do something new or discover a talent I didn’t know I had. I will watch a few less sit-coms and a few more documentaries.
This summer I will take care of myself. I will exercise more because as much as I can try to deny it, my metabolism is slowing down. I will eat healthy. I will consume lots of fruit and not just because it’s becoming trendy to do so, but because it’s actually delicious and good for me. On the other hand, I will treat myself to ice cream…often, because ice cream rocks. I will always wash my face before I go to bed, no matter how late it is and how tired I am. I will wear sunscreen and protect my fragile skin. I will respect my emotional and mental health and work to minimize stress. It is summer after all; what better time to relax.
This summer I will grow. I will nourish the strong friendships I have made since I was young while also facing the hard truth that some of the friendships I left behind in September are no longer there. I will accept that some people are meant to come and go in life while others are meant to stay. I will appreciate and spend more time with my family. I will be honest with myself about what I want. I will figure out what makes me happy and do more of that and less of what makes me sad, uncomfortable, nervous, and scared. I will take pride in who I am and reduce my insecurities.
This summer I will do a lot: conquer fears, make discoveries, make tough choices, make some friends, surprise myself, surprise others, kick my feet up, laugh, cry—hopefully only at sad movies and the Bachelorette finale—sleep, wander, write, dance, swim, and so much more. I will make this summer one to remember.
