Unpopular opinion: I HATE summer. Everyone loooooves summer, and they talk about it all over social media, all year round. But I’ve never understood what’s so great about it! It’s sweaty, there are bugs everywhere, your thighs constantly sting from rubbing together, you always have a slight headache from dehydration….I just genuinely don’t see the appeal. AND, might I add, research shows that 1/10th of all Seasonal Affective Disorder cases appear it in the summer (“Reverse Seasonal Affective Disorder”). It’s a real thing, you guys!

So, being your resident Summer-Hater, I’m here to provide you with some ways DEAL with summer until October comes along and lets us breathe normally (and enjoy life) again.

1. Go to the movies

This is SUCH a good summer for movies (and sequels)….Ocean’s 8, Mamma Mia 2, Deadpool 2, Incredibles 2, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Mission Impossible: Fallout….. THE LIST GOES ON. I’m investing in a MoviePass this summer for sure, because I’m just. so. excited. Plus, movie theaters are dark and frigid, making them the perfect escape from the humidity, heat, BLINDING SUN, and bugs. If you need me (or want to join me), I’ll be hiding in movie theaters all summer long.

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2. SHOPPING

The best thing about this is that you CAN leave your home to do it, but you don’t HAVE to leave your home to do it. If you want to get in your cardio for the day, go to the mall- or if you want to stay inside where the AC runs strong, do some online shopping (with the company of your UNiDAYS discounts, obvi). And I won’t judge you for going to the mall alone...alone is my favorite way to shop.

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3. Brunch

Ron Swanson once said, “there has never been a sadness that can’t be cured by breakfast food.” I think that’s all you need to know to live a meaningful life. Getting brunch with your besties is the best way to ignore the world around you (that humid, scalding, sweaty, mulch-scented world). Even if you’re not happy about it being summer, you can make your tummy happy (eggs....bacon….crepes….maybe mimosas….OH BABY).

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4. Taking a workout class

Some of you read that sentence and said “I don’t need this negativity in my life” (I get it- I’m on your side). But some people actually like exercising, and technically it HAD boost your endorphins and supposedly your mood, so I thought I’d throw it in there. You can take a relaxing class like yoga, knock your stress away in kickboxing, or even get some friends together and take a Zumba class. There are choices for all levels of skill and fitness, so don’t be intimidated if you’re not an instagram fitness model already.

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5. Baking

Aaaaand on a totally opposite note….Taylor Swift (probably?) once said, “bake it off” (she’s punny and honestly she HANDED that one to herself). Another great way to stay inside with the AC, while doing something that will make you feel productive. Rapunzel baked to pass the time in her tower, and I think she was onto something. Maybe even do some fancy frosting work to let your creative side show?! And in the end, you get to EAT IT. Win-win.

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6. Create something!

If frosting decoration isn’t really your thing, there are lots of ways to be creative. I’m a big fan of watercolor, and I think it’s a medium that people of all artistic skill levels can have fun with (at the very least, swirl the colors together as a nice little experiment)...but there are hundreds of options! Maybe take a pottery class, do some collage art, or even just paint along with some Bob Ross videos! The feeling of creating something is satisfying, makes you feel productive on those days where it’s “just too hot to do anythinggggg,” and it’s good for your mind and soul!

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7. Pick up a new show

I mean, obviously. Summer is, like, the official season of tv show binging (well….one of the 4 official seasons of tv show binging). You’ve got more free time on your hands, so why not spend the with a cast of new friends! Try a new one that you wouldn’t normally. It’ll be like an adventure….without leaving your couch!

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8. Read some autobiographies

I love reading the thoughts of my favorite people. Some of my personal favs are from Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, and Mindy Kaling (yeah maybe I have specific taste but WHAT OF IT?). Autobiographies are full of wisdom, inspiration, and humor (if you read the ones I read), and they can pump you up for the upcoming school year.

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9. Redecorate!

Paint your walls...go to a fabric store and make your own curtains...rearrange your furniture. Redecorating your room gives you a nice fresh start, and it doesn’t have to be expensive! You don’t need to buy new furniture to change things up (but if you DO choose to check out Urban Outfitters for some new furnishings, you know where to get the discount!).

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10. Go to museums

It’s indoors and air conditioned, it’s sophisticated, you can dress up for it, and it can count as your daily cardio (hello, WALKING?!). I love museum trips with my besties, or alone! Even if you’re not into art, you can come up with funny captions for the people in paintings. Plus, it makes for some prime Insta material!

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