I Lost Summer Vacation, When Can I Have Fun?
Summer has always been my favorite season. In summer, the weather’s nice and warm; you can break out those cute sundresses again… And best of all, there’s no school. But once we enter the so-called “real world,” summer vacation becomes a thing of the past.
Instead of sleeping until noon and lounging by the pool all day, we must spend those glorious summer months in an office building. But just because you’ve lost summer vacation doesn’t mean you can’t have fun! There are many ways to enjoy the best season, even if you must work through it.
Go to the Pool on Your Day Off
Just because you’re no longer in school doesn’t mean you must miss out on this quintessential part of summer. Find a nearby pool, grab a group of friends, and go swimming for the day! The experience will surely take you back to your childhood memories of summer. Plus, the relaxation will be a great distraction from work stress.
Take a Weekend Trip to a Nearby Beach or Lake
One of my favorite parts of summer is going to the beach; you can still make time to do so, even if you’re working for the summer. If you live on the coast, see if there’s a beach a few hours away that you and some friends could spend the day at.
Or, you can stay the weekend if it’s a little further away. You’ll still be back in time for the workweek! And if you live in the middle of the country, check for other bodies of water you could swim in, such as lakes or rivers—they can be just as fun as a beach on the ocean.
Take Some Time Off for a Vacation
Even though you’ve lost summer vacation, most jobs will give you a few weeks of paid leave, so you can still take some time off this summer. If you can swing it, grab a group of friends and check out a new place for a week! Or, go solo and explore a new city alone.
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Explore New Places in Your City
If taking time off for a vacation isn’t in your budget or your contract, that doesn’t mean your summer has to be dull. You can still have a mini “staycation” right in your city! Whether you’ve lived in your town your entire life or you just moved there for a new job, I guarantee that there’s somewhere you haven’t been yet.
Try out that restaurant you’ve meant to visit, visit a museum with a new exhibit, or even check out a new neighborhood. You’re bound to find something cool you’ve never seen before.
LivingSocial is a fantastic site if you’re planning a staycation. You’ll find many events and activities you can do right in your city that you’ve probably never heard of before! They offer some fantastic discounts, too, so keep your eyes peeled.
Check Out an Outdoor Concert
Lots of cities will have a free summer concert series, which is the perfect opportunity to hang out with friends for cheap and spend time outside. Who knows, you could even discover a new favorite artist! Summer is also the season of music festivals, and many artists go on tour at this time. What better way to enjoy the season than listening to great music while enjoying the warm weather?
Go out for Ice Cream
It’s easy to keep this summer staple in your routine, even when you have to work all summer. Go for ice cream instead of drinks with your coworkers one Friday after work. Or, drop in by yourself on a scorching day. The excellent taste will make it feel like summer, even if your schedule makes you think otherwise.
Enjoy Some Other Quintessential Summer Foods
Just like stopping for ice cream, this is super easy, even if you have a packed schedule this summer. Next time you’re grocery shopping, pick up some watermelon, corn on the cob, popsicles, or whatever else screams summer. Even though you’ve lost summer vacation, you can still enjoy the delicious foods of the season.
Host a Summer BBQ
Summer tastes like grilled food, and hosting a barbecue is a great way to enjoy those tastes. Invite your friends, coworkers, neighbors, or anyone you’d like to get to know better. If you’ve moved to a new place, a backyard barbecue can be the perfect low-key setting to hang out with new people.
Or it can be a fun opportunity to catch up with old friends. It’s also a dinner party that won’t require too much planning, especially if you ask your guests to each bring a dish. You’ll have to fire up the grill and provide the meat.
Rock a Summer Dress at Work
If your office allows it, spice up your workweek wardrobe with cute summer dresses! Just because you’ve lost summer vacation to the mundane environment of an office building doesn’t mean you can’t dress like it’s summer. A cheerful, light dress can do wonders to brighten up your mood. Pair a sundress with a sweater, and you’ll be good to go.
Modcloth is a fantastic place to shop for cute summer dresses.
Spend Some Time Outside
Lastly, spend as much time outside as you can this summer. Walk or bike to work, eat lunch out, or exercise outdoors when you get home in the evening. Sit outside if you’re at a restaurant, or catch up with friends at a local park.
One of the best parts of summer is that it’s no longer bitterly cold; you can take in some Vitamin D. You may be trapped in an office building all day, but you can still spend the time you’re not at work out enjoying the sunshine. I guarantee it will boost your mood.
Summer may lose some of its thrills when you lose summer vacation and must work for the season. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. You can still do plenty of things on the weekends and evenings to have an entertaining summer.
At the very least, enjoy that you can spend time outside again. Take advantage of the warm weather to de-stress.
