YouAlberta
With the end of the semester finally here, warm weather quickly approaching, and summer just around the corner, the sweet taste of freedom is near, and many people have definitely already begun thinking about their plans for the next four months. And while many of us may be taking spring and/or summer courses, inevitably giving us all a case of aggressive FOMO while being stuck inside, there is still plenty of time to make the most of the warm weather. It isn't too late to start a bucket list that will keep you on track for the summer!
The fear of missing out is often strong in the summertime. It feels like there are constantly all kinds of pressures from everywhere around us, forcing us into feeling the need to be doing something and having a good time at all times. This can go past just fun things and seep into work and productivity. Sometimes summers get spent watching your friends progress in their lives while working, taking classes, starting businesses, moving away and so on, especially with everyone being at such different stages of life now. But regardless, that same feeling comes. The feeling of needing to be doing the same as people around us, to be getting something done too, to somehow be moving forward in life– the need for productivity.
For as long as I can remember, my summers have revolved around trying to have fun and feeling the need to compare myself to the people around me, especially during downtime — because, let's face it, four months is a pretty long time. The warm weather sometimes feels like it accentuates the boredom. There are periods of time when the days start looking the same and begin blending together to the point where I find myself wanting to go back to classes. It can also get pretty lonely when a whole bunch of your friends end up leaving for internships and school, and it feels like you're left with nearly nothing to do. And with social media existing to show us what the rest of the world is doing while we're most likely lying in bed or seeing what other people are doing at every corner you turn, it can get pretty difficult to not beat yourself up over it. It often creates a literal feeling of summertime sadness.
My main strategy is to focus on myself and the unique things I feel that I need. I'm starting this by making a plan for all the things I want to do so that there is always something to focus on at every point and for the feeling of accomplishment as I get through my list. So here are a few things I want to make sure I get time to do this summer, as a person who is stuck taking both spring and summer terms and hopefully, something inspires you too!
The most important thing I want to start my summer with is catching up on everything I neglected during the school year or making up for lost time. Whether this be about catching up on books, shows, movies, or games that I haven't gotten around to yet, or reconnecting with people I lost touch with and grabbing a coffee. Every year I tell myself that I'll get through the entirety of my reading list, and every year, I manage to forget or get preoccupied. So this summer, I plan on keeping a reading list where I add books as I finish them as a form of motivation! It's also time to play that video game (guilt-free) that you've been playing between study breaks! I can't be the only one that can't get myself off Stardew Valley… especially in the midst of exams for some reason.
With COVID-19 regulations pretty much entirely gone now and the world back to what is as close to normal as it has been in a long time, there's finally the opportunity to go to festivals around the city again. My favourites were K-Days and the Heritage Festival, which I missed last year because I was sick with COVID, and I am determined to go this summer. Our city is known to be the city of festivals, so there is something for everyone, ranging from music festivals to food to art and film. This is also high time to look into concerts happening over the summer; I only went to my first one last year.
There are also really fun adventures to go on this summer that, in my humble opinion, are not as fun in the colder months. Summer road trips, camping (or both of those combined), hiking trips, and bonfires (for low commitment) are all musts for the summer. And if you have never been camping, it's definitely something you need to try at least once. It really makes you appreciate your warm bed. And outlets. If hiking is too outdoorsy for you, there are always indoor options like rock climbing. And if rock climbing isn't your thing, the summer is a great time to start your new workout routine and start going to the gym more regularly or on daily runs.
No matter what you end up doing this summer, remember that no time is time wasted. Take advantage of whatever spare time you have and do the things you like to do for you! Here's to another awesome summer!