LIFE

While the summer aesthetic was once defined by iced drinks from Starbucks and sunny beach pics on Instagram, this year has taken quite the turn. Now, you can expect to see the sun mostly from your yard and cute pics are tough to take with six feet between you and your bestie.

But that does *not* mean that summer has to be a flop. Check out these 16 ways to make this summer the best one yet, and you hardly have to leave the house!

Master bullet journaling

If you're taking summer classes, working a summer job or just wanting to make organization a priority, consider bullet journaling. We promise it'll change your life *and* give you a jumpstart on kicking butt next school year. 

Open your mind 
With the #BlackLivesMatter movement taking center stage in our country right now, it's an excellent time to think about activism. Educating yourself on race is an important step, so reading and working through books like Me and White Supremacy and White Fragility can be a great place to start.

Become an amateur chef

You have watched pretty much every cooking vid on TikTok, but you can never muster up the courage to take on one of the gourmet dishes yourself. This summer, change that and try your hand at becoming Gordon Ramsey for a day!

Speed up that summer reading list
Rather than taking things slow in terms of reading, double it and diversify your book club picks. How many authors are women? How many are women of color, and Black women specifically? What are these books teaching you?

These are all v important questions to ask yourself when choosing books this summer; your bookshelf — through summer and beyond — should reflect your values.

Tell your crush how you feel (finally)
It's time to get it off your chest. Shake off the nervousness, realize you have nothing to lose and tell that crush of yours how you feel. Realistically, the "worst" thing that can happen is that they just want to be BFFs.

Your self-worth does not rely on how your crush is feeling about you, so regardless of the response, you can be proud knowing that you stepped forward to let them know!

Take on that fitness goal you've been putting off

It's June, which means that the fitness resolution you chose to ring in the new year should be halfway completed. If it's not, reframe your resolution and recommit now. Start with a fun dance class to get you inspired!

Become an online influencer
This one might be a stretch, but there is def no harm in trying. Create a platform that advocates for something you feel v strongly about, and become *that* influencer!

Maybe you want to become TikTok famous and go viral, or maybe you'd prefer something more low-key, like Twitter fame. Regardless, you have the opportunity to be so influential!

Learn a new TikTok dance every day
Let's be honest: you probably spend way too much time scrolling TikTok. If that sounds like you, it's time to make that time a little more hands-on and productive! Try out a new trend or learn an older favorite, like Jalaiah Harmon's dance to Renegade.

Take an online course

There is a free or cheap online class for practically anything that you are interested in. Staying inside opens the door to *so* many educational opportunities, so take advantage of them.

Want to learn American Sign Language? Yes, there's a class for that. Trying to dive into history about the LGBTQIA+ community? There is a webinar for that, too! Start searching.

Try that super random craft challenge you saw online

The internet has taught us an endless amount of mostly useless skills, but crafting is one that has proven to be v productive. Whether you want to make your own recycled paper or create cute vinyl stickers with a craft cutter, there is plenty of time to cross "become crafty" off your summer bucket list.

Find an exciting new spot to watch the sunset

There is no better bucket list item than a total movie moment, and the perf sunset can be just that. Take a hike somewhere near your house, maybe socially-distancing with a sibling, and find your new secret spot to watch the sun go down.

Grow an *amaze* garden

You don't have to know everything there is to know about plants to grow some yourself. Having a vegetable garden in your backyard is a great way to get a sense of responsibility; if you do not take care of the veggies, who will?

Plus, you get to eat food that you *literally* grew yourself. It doesn't get any better than that! We heart sustainability.

Let your hair down — and then donate it
If you haven't cut your hair all quarantine, you prob have the longest locks of your life. Let it flow a few more weeks, then cut off at least 10 inches to donate to an organization like Wigs for Kids or Locks of Love. 

Not only do you get to try *so* many cute new hairstyles this summer, but you get to help someone in need, too.

Document it all with a sweet scrapbook

Completing a summer bucket list would be nothing without documenting it, which gives you another opp to try something totally new. Start a physical scrapbook! We often get caught up in creating albums on our phones, but there is something *so* special about having a book to swipe through in the living room.

by Logan Potter | 6/11/2020