Summer is FINALLY here! If you’re anything like me, you’ve spent the last few months awaiting warmer air, natural hair, and general fun. I love the idea of summer and I certainly love the thought of being out of school, but every year when it finally arrives, I almost struggle to enjoy it. It can be hard to put on a swimsuit and go to the beach, it can be exhausting to walk or exercise in 90 degree heat, and it can feel lonely as several of your friends go away to camp or jet off on a luxurious vacation. With that said, if these feelings resonate with you, you are not alone and you do not have to let them dictate your time off! There are ways to manage yourself, your schedule, and your emotions if you care enough to do it.
Below, I have compiled a list of remedies to ease certain feelings and to ensure you have a HAPPY and HEALTHY summer!
Feeling insecure?
Feeling insecure is 100% normal, especially during the summer. Whether it revolves around your body, your lack of “exciting” events, or something else, it is important to practice self love during the summer. Confidence comes from how you feel, not how you look!
- Get offline, go outside!
We are often our own biggest critics, and often in today’s world our self critiques are triggered by social media. People have told me this before and I have rejected the hypothesis, but the more I grow and learn I have found that it is certainly more true than most of us would like to admit. Instead of comparing yourself to people online, drop your phone and partake in activities that make you FEEL good!
This could include putting on an outfit you feel good in and going on a walk, hike, or even to a local coffee shop. Especially during the beautiful summer weather, it is important to leave your house and breathe fresh air. Outside activities are a good way to ground yourself and are also a key to motivating your body and brain, making them both happy! When your body feels good and you have had time to enjoy life outside of your closed bedroom door and out from behind the screen, it is easier to enjoy the world around us. We also tend to focus less on our physical appearance when focused on the beauty we are surrounded by, making this a great activity for those insecure about their physical appearance.
- Have a self care day
Having a self care day can be as big or as little of a deal as you want it to be… it is what you make it! If you’re feeling extravagant, buy some face masks, get your nails done, or treat yourself to your favorite snack. If you’d rather have a casual day at home, do your skincare, take a long shower, watch your favorite movie, and take time to journal about your thoughts. Showing up for yourself looks different for everyone, and it is important to make yourself a priority. By showing your body that you care about it, you will naturally feel rejuvenated and more inclined to tackle whatever comes your way! Additionally, if you feel like you’re having a “boring summer” this can be a way to spice things up and make for an interesting anecdote to tell your friends.
Summer is YOUR break and YOUR opportunity to relax! Don’t let other people (or yourself) take away from that.
Feeling lonely?
My family definitely likes to relax during the summer. I watch my friends go to exotic locations and ship my friends away to sleepaway camp for months at a time, and sometimes I feel like nobody is home to hang out with me! At the same time, sometimes my family goes out of town, and I want nothing more than to be at home with my friends participating in the fun things they’re doing that day. I also know people who feel like their friends “disappear” during the summer- so these situations can look different for everyone. It can be hard to find time to spend with others during the summer, but that doesn’t make it impossible.
- Volunteering
Every summer, I volunteer with several organizations, and I often make friends doing so. Not only is this a great activity for high school girls who are looking to build their resumes or gain volunteer hours, but it is also a very rewarding activity. Personally, I have volunteered with organizations who work with the less fortunate, and I have been able to connect with both peers who have the same values as I do, and also with adults and those in my community who I get to serve and learn from. I’ve also volunteered at an educational center where I’ve made friends with similar interests to mine. This is a great way to meet people, learn about your community, and find a sense of purpose during the summer.
To start, look up “volunteer opportunities in (your city)”, and find events that interest you! Chances are, the people you volunteer with might be more similar to you than you think.
- Spending time with Furry Friends
Do not undermine the power of a dog, cat, or animal in keeping you company! While it is understood that not everyone has a pet or animal near them and their family, they are great companions who will make you feel fulfilled and happy after spending time with them. For those who do have a pet, playing a game like fetch, going for a walk, or simply snuggling on the couch with your furry friend can be a great way to mend some lonely and sad feelings while also creating fun and memorable moments for you and your pet. If you do not have a pet, go to a local animal shelter and volunteer, walk neighborhood dogs, or even consider adopting a small pet. Even having lower maintenance animals like fish can be great ways to keep yourself company during the summer months.
It is also important to remember that it is okay to be by yourself! When spending time with ourselves, we often have the most important and impactful thoughts and moments, and we learn to understand ourselves better. We do not get a lot of time to be alone- so we should not be afraid to embrace it when we do!
Feeling lazy?
After a tiring school year, it can be hard to want to do anything. We all know that it is important to move our bodies and leave the house, but it can be so tempting to stay in bed all day! Getting out of the slump that comes with the end-of-year exhaustion can be tricky, but it is important to take care of yourself year round.
- Plan an Adventure
Planning an “adventure” or event can be, once again, as big or small as you make it, but having something to look forward to and to do in general is a great way to remind yourself of the importance of leaving the house. You can plan to hang out with your friend or plan an excursion for yourself. You can go on a hike or just watch a movie at the theater- there is such versatility that this “activity” can be fun for anyone or any group. If you are struggling with going outside, I’d suggest doing something outdoors like swimming or walking. Most importantly though, by planning fun activities you have a reason to go out, do something fun, and enjoy summer to its fullest extent!
- Set Goals
Once again, this can and will look different for different people. Sometimes in the summer, I feel lazy and tired from the school year and do not have any interest in doing my summer reading. Sometimes, I just want to scroll on my phone instead of going for a walk or playing with my dog. While you may find these relatable, you may also struggle to get other things done during the summer. One of my favorite ways to ensure that I am getting both school work and personal needs met is by setting goals for myself. That could mean making a point to go outside and exercise 2 times a day, it could mean setting a goal to eat out only once a week, or it could be whatever personal goals you have in mind (those are certainly some of mine)!
Sometimes, I also set goals to work on with my friends. For example, some of my friends and I agree to read 60 pages of our books a week to keep us on track with our summer work. It is great to set goals with other people because they can motivate you and hold you accountable – but you can also be disciplined and work on personal goals independently. To start, set two or three goals and see if you can reach them each day for a week. Once you start, you won’t want to stop!
It is OKAY and actually important to be lazy and relax- balancing laziness, rest, and activities that are good for your mental and physical health is what’s important.
