In honour of summer ending, school just beginning and returning to a jam-packed schedule, I truly soaked in the luxury of having nothing on my plate for the last few months.
Following the undoubtedly busiest year of my life, I was yearning for a much-needed break this summer and I eagerly allowed myself to finally relax. Along with learning the importance of taking care of my body, this summer taught me an abundance of lessons about myself that I hope others can resonate with as well.
- It’s okay to do nothing
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One idea I definitely took advantage of as soon as summer began was allowing my body to take a break. Whether that was physically or mentally, I went into complete rest mode. It was incredibly relaxing knowing that I had no assignments, presentations or articles to stress about. I worked tirelessly all school year and I’d come to terms with the fact that loosening up was nothing to feel guilty about. Take a breather; listen to your body and prioritize your needs.
- Push yourself Past your comfort zone
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I’ve always loved the idea of pursuing things that were both exhilarating and uncomfortable. Even though I’ve been an avid fan of “Yes Theory”, a Youtube channel where creators preach the mantra of seeking discomfort, it was only recently that I truly started putting it into existence. After spending a couple of weeks during the summer sitting idle, I decided to search for exciting opportunities that intrigued me. From applying to a number of jobs to presenting my first-ever pitch (and getting accepted into a wicked cool program), to scoring a fun hosting gig, I stuck to my word of embarking on an uncomfortable––yet rewarding––journey. While these pursuits were very stress-inducing and nerve-wracking, I’m glad that I put myself out there. Sure, I didn’t get some of the positions I applied for, but I definitely had some wins that made it all worth it. I just know, 12-year-old me would be in complete awe of my ability to push myself and conquer a couple of silly fears.
- Don’t be afraid of failure
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Another aspect of putting myself out there was getting used to the idea of rejection. It’s normal to fall into a mindset of inadequacy and failure after constantly being told “no”, but it’s so important to be resilient. As somebody who has faced rejection after rejection for a good portion of the summer, I’ve come to understand that it’s not a waste of time, but rather a learning experience (if we choose to grow from it, that is). Oftentimes, it was those certain interviews that I thought I had definitely bombed that I would end up getting a welcome email for. Don’t let the difficult moments break your spirit; you must always remind yourself to be persistent. Success isn’t a linear process — everyone is moving at their own pace.
- Establishing boundaries is healthy
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I find that one of the most challenging tasks for me to do is establishing boundaries within relationships. Largely due to the fact that confrontation freaks me out, I’m constantly afraid about how it will go over with the other person. I wonder whether they’ll take it the wrong way, get mad at me or think I’m making something out of nothing. This summer, I decided to push those thoughts away and finally be honest about things I’d kept quiet for years. I finally voiced my concerns, and much to my surprise, it went over better than expected. While I’d been worried about setting this boundary, my friends were extremely supportive––and even apologetic. As it turns out, true friends will never take offence and will respect your desires.
- Romanticize every moment
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While having four whole months of summer off was a blast, it definitely ended in the blink of an eye, reminding me that time is ever-so finite. Thanks to the handheld device that has had me in a chokehold for most of my teenage years, I forgot to really live. All those days I spent mindlessly scrolling through TikTok could’ve been so much more enjoyable had I chosen to romanticize even the most mundane activities. Instead of picking up my phone, I should’ve picked up one of the 100 books (literally) I bought throughout the summer, lit a candle, and read next to it with a cup of iced coffee in hand. Instead of watching the same old shows I always do, I should’ve learned something new like crocheting. It’s always a good idea to explore hobbies and romanticize every little thing you do. You will feel like the main character who is living their best life – I promise.
Ultimately, I’m constantly growing, learning and even unlearning truths every day. Life is an endless learning process and I’m sure there will be many more realizations that I will come to terms with as I evolve as a person.