Photo by Snack Picks
If summer time = more free time = nothing to do, you might want to try these activities.
- go to free events:
There are some cities that stand out for free fun, including New York, Washington D.C. and St. Louis, but all cities come equipped with free entertainment. Most people know about museums that have free admission, but investigate further and you will likely find speaker series, movie screenings, and outdoor concerts hosted there as well. Many of these events are free; the hardest part is finding them. Search through your city’s website, as they will have a calendar of any and all events occurring.
- keep a journal:
You can use it for its traditional function, as a place to write down your day, the accomplishments and surprises, the frustrations and disappointments. You could also use it as a notepad, to jot down quotes you like, a movie, book, or song name you’d like to check out later, or your grocery list. You could even use it as a sketchbook or poetry book. The point is to spend little bursts of time everyday in which you focus solely on what is on your mind, and it’s useful for charting your mental state and thoughts across time.
- have a movie night / join or start a book club
Get together with friends and create a list of movies none of you have watched but have been meaning to. Depending on the length of the list and how much time everyone has, choose the top movies and watch one per week together.
Reading is not generally considered a social activity, but it can be. Many people feel comfortable talking to others about their favorite movie or band, and yet somehow books are neglected in these conversations. Goodreads is a useful website for centering the social around reading, as it lets you add friends, categorize books into to-read or already read, as well as customize your own lists, write book reviews, and even comment on your friends’ activity. It also lets you join discussion groups, so if your real life friends aren’t excited about plowing through all of the Brontë sisters’ novels, you can connect with people who are.
- take pictures
Most people take pictures of events, such as birthdays, beach trips, and vacations, and these are great to have for posterity. However, it can be just as fun to branch out and take pictures of your town or city. Go on a long walk around your neighborhood and document what you like most about it. Things that seem mundane when you walk pass them everyday are recast when you take a photo. It might even make you notice things you never did before. Once you’ve amassed your collection, don’t just sit on it. Submit your photos to local newspapers, which usually encourage this and publish a photo weekly.
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