The first summer after college is an awkward experience. You move back home after having months on end on freedom, and bam, you're back at home figuring out how to come to terms with limited freedom. You're back to selling your summer to some somewhat crappy summer job, but also trying to find the time to still have fun in the sun. Lastly, you're back staring at your phone, figuring out who to text to hangout because all of your buds are from college.
This summer, I was playing this game. I was home from college, which I was thankful for the unlimited calories and the free WiFi, but I was staring down at my iPhone trying to figure out who to hang out with. It was a weird situation. I was still what I considered "good friends" with my best friends, but I wasn't high school-close with some of my friends anymore. We didn't have rivers of bad blood between us, it was simple: we went to college, get involved in different things and grew apart.
It sucked to be honest. At the beginning of the year, we are stayed relatively close because we didn't know what opportunities laid before us in college and what kind of relationships that it would come with. When you're sitting at home and have about three friends in your hometown, like I did, what do you do? Sit around and wait for something to happen is not the solution, but here are some ideas that could quite possibly fill that gap.
1. Focus on your job.
Not the most fun idea I have ever come up with, but think about it. More hours means more money which means more pizza. Pizza can fill any hole.
2. Pick up a new hobby.
There have been things I have always found on Pintrest and wish I had the time allotted to make or try whatever it was. Without a plethora of friendships I feel like I have to keep up, I can finally try my hand at making the perfect five layer rainbow cake.
3. Make more of an effort to hang out with your college friends.
Sure, these friends don't live exactly around the block from your hometown friends, but a spontaneous road trip makes going to your friends a little more fun and worthwhile! Plus, the excitement as you're driving to get there is unreal!
4. Spend more time with that family of yours!
Your family is basically built in friends. You can annoy them, bother them, and suffocate them with your goofiness, yet they are still stuck with you! Also, now that you're away at college, hanging out with that precious fam means even more now.
5. Become a tourist in your own city.
While you may have been born and spent every waking moment in your hometown, this is a prime time to explore it. You don't have mom or dad anymore breathing down your neck wondering where you are going, so go explore! Check out old and new resturaunts, museums, and stores. Buy something and take a lot of pictures to help you remember that day.
6. Volunteer somewhere that means something to you.
We make excuses all the time how we are too busy to take a minute and give back. Pick an organization or two that means something to you, call them up or Google them, and see what you can do to help! Whether it's cold-calling people for donations or walking a few pets, you can make a difference!
7. Love on your pet.
Most of us have pets and tend to feel like we never have enough time to hang out with them since we are constantly on the go. Now is the time to give them that little dose of extra loving! Spend a day and take them all of their favorite places. (Idea: Starbucks gives free cups of whipped cream for pups!)
8. Work it out.
"Well I don't have time to work out" is something that goes through my mind a lot of days. Well, now you do. Whether it is trying a completely new class or going for a light jog outdoors, your body and mind will thank you. It will make you feel better and get your mind off of things!
While growing apart from your high school friends may suck, there is plenty of things you can do to fill the void for now. Soon enough new pals will come in your life and you will begin to wonder how in the world you ever did life without them. Even better, these will be the friends that stick around for the long run!
