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Do, Don't Dream

Live in the now.

May 24, 2016

Live in the now. Everyone is always caught up thinking about the future or the past. Of course, even I catch myself grieving past events or getting way to excited about the future, but we all need to stop. If you think about it, we all remember the hard times about our lives, overthink about those times and ultimately get upset for the rest of the day.

Looking forward to an event isn't frowned upon, but why focus on a few weeks, months or years into the future, when you can change your life now. The way that I see it is that everyone is just looking for happiness, but happiness is not that hard to find when you're not expecting it. Instead of overthinking too much, try some simple, yet fun, way to enjoy your summer days.

1. Go on a hike.

A nice break from fresh air and a beautiful view definitely won't kill any of us. (But if you're as clumsy as I am, you might fall once, or about a thousand times)

2. Pick up a sport or hobby.

Whether it's playing softball and joining a team full of amazing personalities and talent, or joining a knitting club, you're bound to meet a few new friendly faces and who knows, a new life long friend!

3. Go on a spontaneous road trip.

Pack a bag for a few days and just see where you end up. Visit a family member or friend you haven't seen in a while and reconnect. Just because you don't have an idea where you're going doesn't mean you won't love the result.

4. Face your fears and go to an amusement park.

Even though some of these thrill rides are quite intimidating, who knows, maybe you'll love the adrenaline rush. Even though it freaks me out... maybe you will!

5. Try and invent the newest and coolest idea.

We all have seen "Shark Tank," and wished we could have invented the simplest and most stupid product that made millions. You could, too

It's time to stop the binge watching of Netflix and moping around all summer. Us teenagers need to live in the now and experience the world. Even I tend to catch myself laying in bed, wasting the day away just laying around. We need to gather memories, laughs, and experience. We all need fun. Unplanned fun to be exact. So go out, be adventurous. Who cares if you don't know what will happen next? At least you're out exploring and doing and not just dreaming.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Do, Don't Dream

Live in the now.

1. Go on a hike.

2. Pick up a sport or hobby.

3. Go on a spontaneous road trip.

4. Face your fears and go to an amusement park.

5. Try and invent the newest and coolest idea.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

I get it... I'm pale.

1. At least I can't lose you in a crowd!

2. Oh my goodness your skin is like glow-in-the-dark.

3. Can't you just get fake tan?

4. Do you tan or just burn?

5. Your kids are going to look like Casper the Friendly Ghost!

6. *holds arm against your arm* Look how much darker I am compared to you!

7. *holds pale arm against another pale arm* Aw, at least you're darker than her!

8. I laid out by the pool almost every day over break!

9. I haven't used sunscreen since I was, like, five.

10. *adjusts selfie lighting to their face* Oops, where'd you go??

11. *after working out* Your face is SO red!

12. *wears white* Look! You're all one color!

13. You need to get some sun.

14. Aren't you excited for summer?

The struggle bus is real.

1. Child prodigies:

2. Hearing other musicians in the practice room next door and accepting that you will never be as talented as them:

3. That anxiety that takes over before every performance:

4. Taking a million 0 credit classes:

5. When there's a paper due the next day, but you have to attend yet another concert in order to pass a 0 credit class:

6. When your friends try to encourage you after a performance, even though you are criticizing everything in your mind:

7. Knowing that there's always that one professor during juries:

8. The oh-so-attractive band/choir uniforms:

9. Realizing that a college campus is maybe not the best atmosphere to finish your latest composition:

10. Hearing "Oh, you sing opera? I LOVE Phantom of the Opera!" for the hundredth time:

11. When people think finals week is a breeze for you.

12. When you're drowning in the stress that comes with 18+ credits (and not to mention all those 0 credit classes) and people ask you how you are:

13. When it all comes down to it, though, you know that at the end of the day, music is your passion:

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5. "Can you tell me some of your secrets?"

4. "What do you do at your meetings?"

3. "Do you guys haze really badly?"

2. "Is it just like in the movies?"

1. "Sororities are so basic."

There are plenty of obstacles that come when taking care of kids, but it's a very rewarding experience.

1. You get excited when the parents purchase season passes to the pool.

2. You've become friends with the stay-at-home moms in town.

3. You get a chance to eat "kid foods" again.

4. You've traded in your cute purse for a large tote bag.

5. You have at least one car seat in your backseat.

6. Their nap time is your happy time.

7. Lunch time can be a disaster.

8. You have to play the same board games repeatedly.

9. You catch yourself using the same lines your parents once told you.

10. Your "mom-mode" kicks in at times.

11. Your heart melts a little when they do something cute.

You'll never find any souvenirs with your name on it

1. You know you are up next when the teacher pauses while taking attendance

2. When “I’m going to do my very best to make sure I know all your names” is said, it may or may be an empty promise

3. “Wow! That sounds so cool! Where is your family from?”

4. You dread when people ask you to repeat your name over and over because it “sounds so cool when you say it”

5. There’s a 50/50 chance that your name will come back either correct or incorrect at Starbucks

6. People try to find shorter, easier nicknames for you instead of calling you by your actual name

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8. “What’s your name?” “It’s [name]” “I’m sorry, what was it again?”

9. You’ve pretty much seen every misspelling and heard every mispronunciation of your name throughout your life

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6. holds arm against your arm Look how much darker I am compared to you!

7. holds pale arm against another pale arm Aw, at least you're darker than her!

10. adjusts selfie lighting to their face Oops, where'd you go??

11. after working out Your face is SO red!

12. wears white Look! You're all one color!