Read

5 Simple Ways To Not Let The Summer Pass You By

Published:
February 15, 2024
May 25, 2020
Don't let summer pass you by; here are 5 things to do in the summer to make the most of it.|Don't let summer pass you by; here are 5 things to do in the summer to make the most of it.

Seeing the “Back To School” section at Target is always unsettling. Stacks of black speckled composition notebooks and Trapper Keepers remind us that summer is coming to an end, and we commence mourning the beach trips we never made, the poolside drinks we never sipped, the parties we never threw, and the vacations we never took.

But floating in a giant blow-up flamingo in a tropical oasis isn’t the key to a successful summer. It doesn’t have to be built of beach trips, travel, or even hours spent by the pool — sometimes the best summers are the ones in which you indulge in the little things.

When you focus on the small joys in life, June and July don’t feel like missed opportunities at all. Follow these five simple tips so that when September rolls around, summer will feel like a season well-spent.

Spend time outdoors every day

Planting yourself inside is a straight shot to feeling like your summer was wasted. On the other hand, getting outdoors will help you to feel like you’re actively taking advantage of your summer, even if you’re not at the beach. Soaking in some Vitamin D is good for your health, and studies have shown that being outdoors helps combat depression and anxiety. It also lowers cortisol and blood pressure and fights fatigue.

You don’t have to plan anything extreme. Just go out for a walk or have a picnic in your backyard. Lay in the grass and read, chalk up the sidewalk with the neighbor kids, or drink your morning coffee on the porch. Sometimes those simple, personal activities are the most relaxing and enjoyable.

Relish in classic summertime activities

Remember the long summer days of your childhood — those simple days that live in your memory as the epitome of pure, innocent joy? Why not relive them? Why not relish in the summer activities of your youth? Any one of these simple, inexpensive activities can rekindle that joy and form a new and lasting memory:

  • Buy that megapack of rocket pops.
  • Sit outside and marvel at thunder and lightning storms.
  • Go to the double feature at the drive-in movie theater.
  • Lounge by a pool or on a beach.
  • Invite friends and neighbors over for a potluck barbeque.
  • Rush outside to catch the last rays of a pink and orange sunset.
  • Light up sparklers on Fourth of July.
  • Splash around in the local creek.
  • Take spontaneous trips to the ice cream shop after dinner.

These quintessential summertime activities require little money yet provide experiences that you’ll carry with you long after the summer closes up shop.

Gather your summer crew

Nobody wants the regret of a wasted summer, so reach out to your local friends and family who are equally interested in committing to classic summertime activities. Share your summer bucket list and brainstorm new ideas.

Plan weekends for mini-adventures, schedule weeknight barbeques with lawn games, and make a pact to be open to those last-minute, “Want to go out for ice cream?” texts. Whatever you end up doing, sharing your summer with friends and family doubles the fun.

Pause your “to-do” list

We all have responsibilities we need to keep up with, but don’t forget to grant yourself a little leeway. If you’re trying to decide between doing laundry or going out with friends, cut yourself some slack and opt for fun. Instead of staying overtime at work, give yourself a summer Friday and get out of the office early for an evening hike.

Summer is a great time to recharge before the fall arrives with its shorter days and dicier weather. So make an extra effort to prioritize your mental health over the summer months. Pausing your to-do list in favor of some summertime TLC will help you to feel well-rested come September, instead of lamenting that you never got the break you sorely needed.

Be present in the moment

In the end, the key to a great summer is simply being present in the moment. You don’t need to be on a yacht or jet-setting to Europe to feel like your summer is worth something.

Being happy doesn’t depend upon the things you have or the adventures you go on. Happiness ultimately comes from having gratitude for the everyday blessings all around you. Bask in those simple moments of joy and it’ll be your best summer yet.

Creators:
Lillian Fallon
Published:
February 15, 2024
May 25, 2020
On a related note...
If You Grew Up with Divorce, You May Still Need Healing

If You Grew Up with Divorce, You May Still Need Healing

Dr. Daniel, Bethany Meola

Pier Giorgio Frassati Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Pier Giorgio Frassati Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Grotto

How to Seek Out Wonder and Delight in Everyday Life

How to Seek Out Wonder and Delight in Everyday Life

Kathryn O'Callaghan

How to Maximize the Lazy Days of Summer in the City

How to Maximize the Lazy Days of Summer in the City

Jennon Bell Hoffmann

What Adoptive Parents Wish You Understood

What Adoptive Parents Wish You Understood

Bethany Meola

When Your Life is in Ruins, Simple Companionship is Such a Gift

When Your Life is in Ruins, Simple Companionship is Such a Gift

Shemaiah Gonzalez

3 Ways You Can Repair a Sibling Relationship

3 Ways You Can Repair a Sibling Relationship

Claire Collins

Fashion World Takes On Catholicism for 2018 Met Gala

Fashion World Takes On Catholicism for 2018 Met Gala

Lillian Fallon

How to Keep the Holidays Meaningful in the Midst of COVID

How to Keep the Holidays Meaningful in the Midst of COVID

Grace Carroll

College Can Be Overwhelming — These Insights Can Help

College Can Be Overwhelming — These Insights Can Help

Grotto Shares

How a Week of Prioritizing Kindness Changed Me

How a Week of Prioritizing Kindness Changed Me

Marye Colleen Larme

My Grandmother was Many Things, but Sane Wasn’t One of Them

My Grandmother was Many Things, but Sane Wasn’t One of Them

Stephen G. Adubato

Relishing the Richness and Freedom of Single Life

Relishing the Richness and Freedom of Single Life

Stephanie DePrez

"4 Knuckleheads, a Microwave, and Forgiveness"

"4 Knuckleheads, a Microwave, and Forgiveness"

Rob Goodale

A Groom’s Guide to Marriage Prep

A Groom’s Guide to Marriage Prep

Josh Flynt

"The Dating Project" Movie Tackles Modern Singlehood

"The Dating Project" Movie Tackles Modern Singlehood

Grotto Shares

What to Look for (and Run from) in a Future Spouse

What to Look for (and Run from) in a Future Spouse

Isaac Huss

Developing Your Listening Skills Can Be a Game-Changer

Developing Your Listening Skills Can Be a Game-Changer

Khang Tran

"Lost One"

"Lost One"

Lesley Clinton

How to Start Consuming Seafood Sustainably

How to Start Consuming Seafood Sustainably

Lauren Fritz

newsletter

We’d sure love to be pals.

Like what you see? Make it easy on yourself and we’ll meet you right in your inbox next time.