Summer in My Soul
As the sun becomes brighter and the air begins to feel warmer, I smile knowing my favorite season is right around the corner. Once again, I wait to take in the vibrant sunsets that have hues of light pinks peeking out after the cool winter and rainy spring. The lingering familiarity of the smells of chlorine and freshly squeezed lemons, along with the sunscreen that always leaves my skin with a purple tint are around the corner. I hear the laughter of children running around the playground and the chatter of neighbors as they walk to feel the warmth of the afternoon sun. It’s going to be my first summer driving and I can already envision myself with the windows rolled down, turning my summer playlist up to full blast, and feeling the crisp air through the distinct wavy pattern of my hair. I feel my heart rise with an overwhelming sense of joy and anticipation for the months to come.
For the past couple of years, throughout my continuing high school journey, all I’ve been told is that “every summer counts” and there’s expectations to spend it on activities that will strengthen a resume or improve college applications. Although this is true, I believe balance is equally as important and can actually increase productivity throughout the summer. As a highschooler living in the Bay Area, I’ve faced my share of a stressful and competitive, high pressure environment, which is exactly why I believe summers should also be a time of rest. I’ve seen friends become burnt out and lose sleep, their time management skills, and even motivation, over becoming a perfect candidate to appeal to colleges. Despite remaining involved in volunteering, extra courses or learning new skills, and finding internships to further my experience in a respective field, I try to remain aware of my limits and maintain a balance.
This summer is an especially stressful one for me as I navigate the journey of college applications. I’ve created a bucket list of fun activities to explore and participate in to avoid becoming burnt out!
Flea Market –I’ve been wanting to go to a local thrift store and market for almost the entire school year, but it’s hard to set aside the time to leisurely walk around each booth and spend the day out when school is the main thing on my mind. Therefore, I’ve decided that I’m going to set aside a couple days this summer to explore different thrift spots.
Try a New Craft –My creative side is one I cherish and never want to lose touch with, which is why I’m making it a goal to try at least a couple of new crafts each month. There are so many ideas online, especially ones that fit the theme of summer, so I will definitely be exploring some art projects to do!
Outdoor Movie Theatre –This is something I’ve been wanting to do for a while because I’ve seen it in so many movies! An outdoor movie theatre would be a new experience for me and sounds like a lot of fun with a group of friends. I look forward to laying out blankets on the grass with an assortment of snacks while feeling the warm wind brush against my face.
Beach Trip – The beach is truly my happy place and where I feel most grounded, from feeling the sand underneath my toes to tasting the salty breeze, I embrace it all. I would love to take a road trip to a local beach, despite them typically being gloomy up here in the Bay Area! Santa Cruz is definitely a favorite and I look forward to making plans and seeing the boardwalk as well.
Try New Dessert Recipes – Baking is another way I embrace my creative side and I aspire to experiment with different flavor combinations, especially ones that aren’t as common! This is another way I expand my creative thinking skills and connect with my friends and family, because they love getting these sweet treats delivered!
Find a New Cafe – As someone who loves different kinds of drinks, I always get excited when I see a local cafe pop up online. For the past couple of summers I’ve been loving different types of coffees, especially ones that are seasonal and have different flavor notes.