With the weather getting warmer and the spring semester coming to a close, everyone is getting excited for summer. However, if you are like me, you may struggle with romanticizing the long, slow days when you have nothing to do. These types of days are a blessing once you figure out how to fill them and even get comfortable with being bored (which is so hard to do in current times). In this article, I am going to let you in on the secret of how to have your dream summer with 5 ways to romanticize it.
1. Create a summer soundtrack
First, you have to set the vibe, and there is no better way to do that than through music. Try to curate a playlist that encapsulates the summer you want to have, whether it’s a brat summer, granola girl summer, or anything that your heart desires. If you are at a loss, my favorite thing to do is to type the vibe of your dream playlist into the Spotify search bar, and there is always someone who has had the same thought and made it already. You can either use that playlist and save yourself some time or draw inspiration from a couple of different playlists and make your own. Once you have your playlist created, you have the perfect summer soundtrack to work out to, listen to in the car, and romanticize the little moments of your summer.
2. Have a routine
During summer break, it’s so easy to get out of routine and have your days unstructured. If you’re like me, you may struggle with motivation when you don’t have a routine and end up scrolling on your phone in bed. The best remedy for this is to have an everyday routine, even if you have nothing on your agenda some days. It should be very simple because it is important to have a relaxing summer. A few things that are a part of my routine that I make sure I do every day to prepare myself for the day are make my bed, get ready, journal or read, and exercise. Even if every day looks different (which is common during summer), my routine allows me to have a little structure every day.
3. Try out a new hobby
College is busy, and with classes, clubs, and other responsibilities, you may not have time for hobbies. Summer is the perfect time to try a new one out and possibly find a new interest or passion. You could learn how to play a new instrument, crochet, or take a dance or workout class. During the semester, it can be difficult to find creative outlets, so summer can give you the opportunity to explore your creativity and tap back into those outlets again.
4. Explore nature
Getting outside and being in nature is one of the best parts of summer. Whether it’s going on a hike, reading in the park, or even just taking a walk in your neighborhood, experiencing nature is so peaceful and fun. One of my favorite things to do in nature that you can do anywhere is a color walk. You may have seen this trending on social media, but it is where you pick one color, and as you are walking, you find things throughout nature or your surroundings that are that selected color, and you photograph it. This is an activity that can help you stay present, help practice mindfulness, and be a type of meditation. It’s so important to take advantage of the nice weather and sunlight that summer offers before it starts to get cold and dark outside.
5. Romanticize spending time alone
Of course, summer is the time of year when you get together with friends and family. This aspect of summer is the highlight for many people, but I don’t see a lot of people talking about the seemingly mundane days that you spend alone. It is extremely important to learn how to enjoy your own company, but this can be very hard to learn how to do, especially in an era where people are constantly reachable. The best way to overcome this is to get out of your comfort zone and do things by yourself that you would normally do with someone. My favorite things to do by myself are try new cafes, go to the bookstore, shop for blind boxes, and even go to the movies by myself. I used to hate being alone, and now I really enjoy an occasional day to myself and find it as a good way to reset my social battery.
I hope these tips help you romanticize the little things every day and help you have your dream summer. Have fun and wear sunscreen!