Everyone at some point during the summer gets struck with a feeling of boredom. It's easy to do when you don't have any school work to take care of or anything that requires the motivation to get out of your bed. Being bored can be great at some points. I mean there are days when you just want to lay around doing nothing which are necessary to surviving life, but after a couple of days laying around doing nothing really drags you down. The following are ten things to help you get out of bed and make a little bit more of your summer.
1. Read a Book
Recommended for you
Summer provides the perfect opportunity for you to get out a good book that you actually want to read. Compared to the school year, where you are forced to read books that you may not enjoy, the summer gives you the chance to read for yourself not for homework. I know that every summer I create a list of books that I want to be finished with by the time school rolls around. While the whole list normally isn't finished, a large majority of the books I want to read get done. Books are great in that you can take them wherever you go, or you can just sit down with one. They are easy to bring places and whip out when you don't have anything else to do.
2. Go on an adventure
Whether it's going hiking or going for a drive, just getting out of the house and doing something drives off boredom. One of my friends and I go hiking a lot over the summer. Hiking is great because not only do you get exercise, but compared to other trips with friends it's free. Plus hiking always gives you a very artsy picture to put on your Instagram. A drive allows you to just be on your own and clear your head. You can drive to a place you've never been before, or search for a perfect place to watch the sunset. The most important thing is to get out and have an adventure.
3. Exercise
While it's not the most fun thing to do with your summer hours, exercising makes you feel great. No one can deny that after a good exercise they don't feel better not only physically, but about themselves. Exercising allows you to release energy in the best way and it helps you to be more active. Plus exercising can help you achieve that amazing beach figure you've been going for lately.
4. Take up a new hobby
What better way to fill your time up with than something brand new. You can learn a new language, take up art, or learn an instrument. Taking up a hobby lets you put passion into something that you will grow to love. Not only does it take up time, but it's easier to learn a new hobby now than ever. With YouTube and other online video sources giving you free lessons the opportunities that you are given are endless.
5. Do a DIY
DIY's are great for taking up time and making something spectacular. I know that often times when I'm bored I enjoy pulling up Pinterest to find what cool new DIYs there are. DIYs may allow you to get ahead in decorating your room or dorm, or in getting people Christmas gifts. DIYs are just like hobbies there are some many websites out there to help you that there aren't really any excuses as to why you shouldn't be at least trying them.
6. Volunteer
It's one of the most satisfactory things you can do with your summer. I can personally guarantee that your community will be running multiple events over the summer. Each event is normally staffed with volunteers. By spending time volunteering you are not just helping yourself to grow, but you are fostering community. Volunteering allows you to meet so many new people and experience so many different things that there aren't any downsides to lending a helping hand.
7. Take part in your community
I know in my town there are a lot of events that happen over the summer, such as Paint the People and Relay for Life, just to name a few. By getting involved in these events not only can you and your friends have fun, but you are helping to support local businesses or charities that then put back into your town. It's a relationship that involves people supporting each other. So many people miss out on things in their own town because they are too busy looking for something better somewhere else. Look around your own town and I'm sure you will find some amazing events that you didn't even know happened.
8. Get a job
While you will complain the whole time about working, having a job gives you so many things that you wouldn't have sitting on your coach watching Netflix all day. It gives you that chance to build not only your resume, but yourself. Having a job when you're younger helps to teach things like responsibility and respect while helping to broaden your opportunities in the future. Having a job also allows you to make money which then allows you to hang out with friends and do things over the summer that you really want to do. Jobs may take up a lot of your time, but you have to remember all the benefits it gives you because they really are endless.
9. Hang out with friends
Who doesn't love hanging out with their friends at the movies or a coffee shop? Hanging out with friends is one of the best things to do over the summer because most of the time both you and your friend are free. Being a college student I know that summer is one of the only times that I will get to see all my friends from New Milford. Wanting to make the most of that is not a bad idea because when college rolls around again you will be missing all those friends. Making summer memories is a great way to keep up your friendship while creating laughs for the future.
10. Go to a concert
One of the most amazing parts about summer is that almost all artists take the time to tour. This means that some of your favorite singers could be coming to venues right next door. While concerts can be expensive they are completely worth it, especially if the person you are seeing is your favorite artist. There are also some concerts you could take advantage of that are free. For example, the Good Morning America concerts are a great way to hang out with friends in NYC while seeing your favorite performers for free.
Summer is what you make of it, which means you can make the most or the least of it, it's up to you. I hope that some of the following ideas can help free you from the endless Netflix hole that you may be currently sucked into, or help you to actually get out of bed in the morning. Enjoy your summer and make a story out of it!
