What are you up to this summer? Living your best life or hiding out because you don’t feel comfortable in your skin?
Let’s talk.
We’re all doing our best to feel good about ourselves each and every day. In a changing world where everything we’re doing can be posted on social media, it’s normal to feel judged and to also judge yourself extra harshly.
Being human is complex enough without throwing a comparison game into the mix.
When we constantly see pictures of everyone else’s perfect, glamorous lives, it makes us look at our own with new eyes. A narrowed look at what once was our happy life. (And spoiler alert- what we see on social media is not actually real!)
Studies show that social media use affects our general well-being over time.
Does this make you want to spend more time looking up than looking down? Me, too.
What summer activities could you participate in that would help you feel more present and happier in your body and your life?
Here are a few ideas:
- Learn a new skill.
- Take a dance class.
- Go to a park and draw what you see.
- Host a themed-movie night.
- Make a new friend.
- Write a short story.
- Ask a parent of a loved one to tell you a story from their childhood.
- Have a binge-worthy marathon complete with snacks!
- Go for a walk with your friend in your neighborhood.
- Lay in the grass and look at the stars.
- Celebrate Christmas in July!
- Ask a friend if they need help with anything.
- Visit your local library.
- Start reading a new book.
- Learn how to cook a recipe.
- Teach yourself how to knit (with a little help from Youtube!)
- Help your neighbor.
- Take a babysitting class.
- Sign up for a sports camp at a local YMCA.
- Take a public speaking class.
- Go for a swim!
- Ask a parent to teach you a popular dance move from when they were a kid.
- Clean out your closet and you’ll certainly find some treasures you haven’t seen in awhile!
- Write in a journal.
- Create a Gratitude Journaling Practice.
- Write a letter to a grandparent, aunt or uncle and pop it in the mail!
- Create a list of family and friends birthdays to look at throughout the year!
- Make a homemade calendar with pictures you draw or print!
- Have a sleepover!
- Go camping in your backyard!
- Make your parents dinner.
- Learn how to make homemade ice cream.
What are some of your favorite ways to spend the summer days?
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Kristen Donia is a freelance writer living in a tiny house she built in sunny Southern Oregon. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and has dedicated her life to studying and writing about empathy, vulnerability and enriching the human experience.