As summer approaches, the plans start developing and the optimism for an adventure filled summer is still high. Then, before you know it, you're setting an alarm to get up for work and you're tucked into bed by 10 p.m. because you have to get up and do it all over again the next day.
It's frustrating, I get it. Especially when you sit and watch Snapchat stories of everyone else at the beach, traveling abroad, or just laying out and tanning, and you're left counting the minutes until your shift is over. It's easy to get sucked into that feeling of FOMO (fear of missing out) and it's often hard to shake the feeling that you should be doing more. But that's just it: you don't need to be doing more. Yes, working all the time is not anyone's definition of fun, but it's up to no one but you to make your summer all that it can be.
It's easy to give up hope on your summer when your biggest thrill is going to the bank to deposit that check that you've been working so hard for. Or when you come to the realization that your friend list has limited itself and every time anyone asks you to do something it usually doesn't line up with your work schedule. The thing that has helped me the most is realizing that work is not forever. After that shift is over, go out with or without your friends and do something you really want to do. Something that relaxes you and makes you happy. Get your nails done, sit by the pool, lay out in the sun, plant some flowers, or even just lay down and watch Netflix, the list goes on.
Fitting in trips to the beach whenever you can will allow for the chance to escape the work mentality and resort to relaxation. The worst thing to do is nothing. Boredom eats away at you and you end up getting in your own head and then before you know it, it's time for your next shift and you have done nothing. The only thing worse than working is doing nothing to even out the workload. Taking time for yourself is important in order to have fun this summer.
Trying to live in other people's shoes will never bring you the happiness you desire and depending on other people to fulfill that need for fun won't get you there either. The hardest part about doing things on your own and living for yourself is getting comfortable with yourself. Having to worry about what other people are doing in order to make plans is difficult, especially because everyone has opposite schedules.
Having a job is frustrating. Work gets in the way and leaves you bored and a lot of times unhappy, but you have to be able to work around work. It's definitely easier said than done, but basking in boredom definitely is not the key to having a good summer either. Work hard, but don't forget to stop and smell the roses before it's too late and you realize all you have done all summer was watch Snapchat stories and wish you were in someone else's shoes.
