My mindset after coming home at the start of the summer was to move as little as possible while watching as much Netflix and taking as many Buzzfeed quizzes as I could. I thought I deserved to stay in bed for awhile after an exhausting finals week and a ridiculously busy semester. Although sleep debt is a very real thing, it was actually kind of depressing waking up at noon every day with nothing on my agenda.
The month of May was about as unproductive as it gets for me. After many hours of binge watching Law and Order, I think it's finally time to get back into the swing of things. I actually miss being busy. Not having anything to do gets old really fast. So, here are a few things that I've decided to implement into my daily routine to get me moving. Hopefully, it will speak to my fellow couch potatoes.
1. Don't sleep past 10.
I realize that's asking a lot. I love sleep and, after enduring a sporadic college sleep schedule, I appreciate the luxury of being able to stay in bed past noon. It's tempting for sure. However, just because you can doesn't mean you should. Don't waste the day away.
2. Start your day off with something beneficial.
I find that if I wake up and immediately do something to enrich my life, I'm more inclined to have a productive day. It doesn't have to be anything huge. Whether it's going for a run, reading a Bible verse, or actually making a breakfast that doesn't include cold pizza, it brings new energy to the morning.
3. Get out of the house.
Don't sit around your house all day. That creates boredom which leads to laziness. Go for a drive, hang out with friends, or go bother your parents at work if you truly have nothing to do.
4. Find an activity that will keep you busy.
During the school year it seems like there is endless things to do. It comes to a point where it's almost too much. Keeping up with a sorority, school work, social life, and any other extracurriculars doesn't leave much down time. Summer means a lot less responsibilities which is great to an extent, but there needs to be a balance. Solution: get a part time job, take a summer class, or get into a fitness group. Make it something that won't take up too much time; just enough to pull you away from Netflix for a couple hours a day.
5. Spend minimal time in your room.
I find that my room is a black hole of sorts. The second I walk through the door, my bed is calling to me and the next thing I know, its three hours later and all I have to show for it is the results of my Buzzfeed quizzes. If I were a Beyonce song, it would be "Flawless" and I'm more Kanye than Jay-Z in case you were wondering. Don't let your room become a laziness cave. Go spend time outside getting your tan on!
6. Make it a point to get something done.
Set a goal to do something productive each day. Being able to check an action off of a list is really rewarding. Deep clean your room or your car. Try that super awesome Pinterest craft that will probably end up looking terrible. Fill out the forms you've been putting off doing for weeks. At the end of the day, it's a good feeling knowing you actually accomplished something worthwhile. Although, finishing an entire season of Grey's Anatomy is pretty impressive too...
Hopefully, going forward, I'll take my own advice and put these into practice. That way when August rolls around, the transition back into busyness won't be quite as much of a shock!
