Blast Summer Boredom

I have always loved the start of summer. Knowing that you have two months ahead of you free of books, homework, and studying (well, unless you take summer classes) is such a great feeling. It's nice to be able to sleep in and take things easy. However, if you're like me, you may find yourself getting bored after the initial "rush" of summer has worn off. Hopefully you have a summer job to keep you busy, but it's likely you still have a little (or a lot) of free time on your hands. Personally, I struggle with what to do on the weekends and evenings. I work all day, but then come home and make dinner and then struggle to find ways to occupy the rest of my time. Only a few of my friends stayed in Columbia this summer, so sometimes it's hard to find things to do. Whether you're spending your summer in a deserted college town, or simply looking for things to do on your days off from your summer job, look no further. I've compiled a few fun (and relatively cheap) ideas to blast boredom this summer. Pause your Netflix for a bit and try out one of these ideas:

NUMBER ONE \ BIKE RIDE

Chances are you probably have a bike in your garage, even if it is covered with a few months worth of dust. Pump the tires full of air, and then get a friend or two together for a ride. Most towns have trails that are specifically designated for biking, so you don't have to worry about competing with traffic. Biking is great exercise, and if you go with a friend it's also a great way to socialize as well. Last weekend, a friend and I rode our bikes along the MKT trail here in Columbia, and riding alongside each other was a great way to chat and catch up while getting some exercise in. If you're feeling extra ambitious, packing a picnic lunch is always fun!

NUMBER TWO \ LIBRARY

I love to read, but during the school year it's next to impossible. Actually, I should rephrase that. It's next to impossible to read for pleasure. After reading a 40 page chapter in a geology book, the last thing I wanted to do was read some more. Summer is a great time to devour all those novels that everyone has been talking about. If you don't already have a library card at your local library, get one!   Pick out a few good books and park yourself by the pool, on your screened porch (my personal favorite), or in your bed in the comfort of the air conditioning! (Watch for a post with book recommendations soon!)

NUMBER THREE \ RECIPE

How many recipes on your "food" pin board have you actually tried your hand at? For me, it's close to one or two. Look through your pins and find a yummy recipe that you've wanted to try but just haven't had time for. Whip up a batch of blondies for your friends, or impress your family by making dinner (practice now, you'll have to do it on your own soon enough. Trust me, it's a struggle.) 

NUMBER FOUR \ GO THRIFT SHOPPING

So, you put half of your paycheck from your summer job in savings, and the other half is just waiting to be spent. Make your spending money last by thrifting. It's definitely more about the hunt, and you can't exactly go in having something specific in mind, but finding something perfectly unexpected will be rewarding. Find some thrift shops or flea markets in your town, and get a friend or two to accompany you on your treasure hunt. Thrifting is a great way to find pieces for your home or wardrobe, and no one else will have the same thing. You never know what you may find! Some people get rid of some really nice brands. I got this Lilly Pulitzer dress for $25 at a thrift store!

NUMBER FIVE \ LEARN SOMETHING NEW

Since you aren't occupied with mountains of homework, and aren't struggling through that required math class that you absolutely hate, take time to learn something that you've always been interested. Take an art class, pick up a book on knitting, or try your hand at HTML coding at Codeacademy. There's no pressure to get a good grade, so even if you try something out and end up not liking it, it's not the end of the world.

I hope all of you are having a wonderful summer so far, and I hope you can blast your boredom with some of these ideas. Is there anything you would add to the list?

Stay Stylish. Stay Classy. Be Creative.

Emily