By Kaitlyn Boisvert –
1. Start off your summer with the mindset of a restless explorer
Aspire to create a summer for yourself that brings you to many new places, helps you meet new fascinating people and enables you to make fun discoveries.
Call it bohemian if you will, but it is these kinds of summers that are often the most memorable, and if you immediately start off with the goal of taking an adventurous approach, you will have a better chance of living out a fantastic summer that will always shine brightly in your memory.
2. Keep a daily logbook to record all of your summer escapades, encounters and observations.
If you are not a “Diary Person”, or do not generally favor writing, don’t fret – you need not write that much, or you could fill in as much as a page a day if you desire. What is most important is that you have a nice consistency in your writings, so you can capture a significant portion of your summer in inscribed memories. While it may seem a bit silly and pointless to do now, there will very likely come a time in your life where you are going to pour over every word on every page.
3. Try to have a few mornings where you wake up really early and enjoy the summer by yourself.
While summer can sometimes be the perfect opportunity to sleep in until breakfast pancakes rouse the senses, it is also the time where you can experience some of the most beautiful and relaxing mornings. While it may be a bit of a hassle to pull yourself up out of bed, it always pays off. There is just this genuine beauty and serenity in the early hours of the morning, and often times, most people are not yet awake, so you have it all to yourself to enjoy. Whether it be sitting by your window while sipping a good cup-o’-joe, or going for a jog in a safe, well-lit area, find some little way you can bask in all the glory that is a part of early summer mornings.
4. Pick up a new hobby or skill that you’ve always wanted to learn, or even one you’ve just learned about.
Summer is the perfect time for experimenting and discovering new things about yourself. Maybe you have a good hand for softball. Maybe you can effortlessly recite Nicki Minaj’s “Super Bass” with her same swagger. How will you ever know if you never try?
So do it – take that frightening step and attempt to learn something new. Maybe sign up for a class in that yoga studio you always seem to pass by. Maybe try to learn that instrument you always wished you could master. Whatever that hidden desire may be, now is the time for it to finally come into fruition. Just be sure that you are realistic and accept that you may not be perfect on the first try. It takes a lot of time and perseverance to become well-versed in any activity.
5. Embark on a fun road trip
Again, a bit of a bohemian lifestyle approach, and one that is perhaps cliché, yet it is cliché for a reason, and that is because it is truly fun and can lead to new discoveries and photogenic memories. So round up some good buddies, fill up the gas tank, pack some handy necessities, and be on your way. You need not go somewhere far or expensive, just be out on the road, cruising by different sites and lives, with the windows unrolled and your hair blowing in the breeze. Perhaps even take the opportunity to shout out: “I am the king of the WORLD!” Or whatever suits your fancy.
6. Travel to an Island
Going to an island helps you truly get into the theme and feel of summer, as they are festive, often blessed with amicable weather, offer gorgeous scenery, and are traveler-friendly. You don’t have to go to Hawaii or a spot in the Caribbean, little islands hold just as much charm. If you live in the New England area, Nantucket, Block Island, and Martha’s Vineyard are viable choices, as they have unique shops, quaint beaches, and historical sites, all which cater to the enthusiastic traveler.
7. Attend an outdoor music concert or a Drive-In Movie Theatre
Summer is just as beautiful in the nighttime as it is during the day, and it perhaps even offers a few unique bits of scenery that is not present at daylight. Summer nights, in a sense, are almost perfect-they aren’t too chilly, or too dark. They offer a perfect balance of coolness and light, which have this very soothing effect. It is for this reason that nighttime memories of summer are often the most cherished.
With that said, it is for this reason that you should consider seeking some sort of nighttime entertainment that brings you outside underneath the moon and stars. An outdoor concert or a Drive-In Movie Theatre are two great options, as they truly help you escape your troubles and immerse yourself into the true free-spiritedness and fun that is summer.
8. Go a 24-Hour Open Diner with a group of friends
This may seem like a strange idea, but it is actually a really fun activity that can lead to a lot of laughs and dear memories. It is especially enjoyable to go either very late at night or very early in the morning because it helps give you and your friends the temporary feeling that you have all the time in the world, and you just can’t help but feel comforted by being in the presence of your friends and a plate of pancakes.
Also, because the diner is open to the public for all hours of the day, and not all that many people go to the diner at such an obscure hour as say, 1 in the morning, the servers will be extra attentive to you and your party, and you all can stay in for as long as you like. And no one will judge you for how many refills you get for your OJ.
9. Lend a hand through volunteering
Everyone deserves to have a good summer. Unfortunately, some may lack the means to do so, or may have a few challenging circumstances that make a good summer difficult to obtain. So in your free time, express your gratitude for what you have, and devote yourself to a cause that benefits others. And remember, volunteering does not have to remain strictly as distributing food through a soup kitchen. You can make it a lot more fun.
Whether you participate in a car wash, or embark on a service trip to help construct a house, there are many options out there that can both bring out the best in yourself and enable you to help others, all the while bringing a smile to your face. Ask around at local churches and organizations to learn about the different ways you can help out in your community.
10. Build a scrapbook
Towards the end of your summer journey, gather all of your photographs and interesting memorabilia, whether it be ticket stubs, stamps, or postcards, and organize them in a fun way in either a photo album or a notebook meant for scrapbooking. Yet don’t have it remain strictly as a simple collection of photos and little knickknacks – have fun with it. Be like the little artist you were in Kindergarten. Be creative, and indulge in the fun that comes with squiggly scissors, stickers, and markers. Why? Because when both you and others look through the scrapbook pages in the future, you will want the spirit of that particular summer to truly shine through. Not only will you get have that memorabilia forever, but it’s also a great motivation to capture moments on camera that are often lost.
