“Home is where the heart is." No matter how many times we hear it, we know it's true. Nothing compares to home-cooked meals and sleeping in the bed we grew up in, but when summer comes, a piece of our hearts is inevitably left back in our college town. We miss the place we have called home for the last eight months. But even if being back at home for an extended period of time promises boredom, there are countless ways to ensure your summer is not wasted.
And our favorite graceless princess has plenty of solutions for making this summer one to remember. If you find yourself sitting around doing nothing, just ask, "What would Mia do?"
Sleep in.
When else will you have the opportunity to not set an alarm for weeks at a time?
Try a new hairstyle.
And if it doesn't turn out like you hoped, most of your friends won't see it anyway.
But settle on an actually good one.
Let's be honest, your friends have to see you at some point.
Take a leap of faith, even if you fall.
A summer in your comfort zone is a summer wasted. Whether that means working at a camp, going to another country, getting a job or simply letting people know how much you care, try something new and don't be afraid of failure.
Get to know someone who could use a friend.
It will mean more than you know.
Dance your heart out.
Because, why not?
Meet someone who makes your foot pop.
You deserve that foot pop.
Eat healthy
(Soynuts optional, though). A few months with your parents' budget and no dining hall food makes for the perfect time to eat well and get in shape.
Play sports
(But maybe try to avoid hurting people). It's the most fun way to work out, and who doesn't want to be #sporty?
Reconcile a relationship that is broken.
It takes humility, but it will be more than worth it.
Don't take yourself too seriously.
Summer only comes once a year, people. Let loose and make some memories for the books.
Do "you".
How miserable a summer it will be if you let others dictate what you do. In the (surprisingly) wise words of Miley Cyrus, "forget the haters, 'cause somebody loves ya."
So here's to Princess Diaries for teaching us that we can be incredible without being the very image of grace and make the most out of the circumstances we've been given. Here's to living the next few months like we're the undercover princess of Genovia. And here's to making the summer of 2015 the best one yet.
HAGS, y'all.
