Summer is in full swing. Temperatures are climbing steadily, and there’s more and more time to spend at the beach chasing the waves. Summer is a great time to really slow down, put your feet up, and take a few pleasant, leisurely breaths. In everyday life and in a society where so much emphasis is placed on productivity and rushing around, we tend to forget the importance of rest. But rest is just as essential to a fulfilling life as good soccer is to the World Cup.
However, one interesting thing may become apparent when taking a summer break. Although rushing through the school or work routine can be quite exhausting, it’s often also quite routine. Routine and a predictable daily rhythm have a reassuring effect on human nature. When you know in advance what a certain time of day will bring and can mentally prepare for it, you expend less mental energy and can go about your business within a familiar comfort zone. Summer—or a longer vacation in general—temporarily turns those routines upside down. A change of pace is good, but adjusting to it can be disorienting. Suddenly, there’s free time—so what should I do with it now? Should I meet up with all the friends whose schedules I normally can’t align with, or should I finally enjoy the peace and quiet alone in my own little corner? Should I go to every festival I possibly can, or hike every RMK trail? Should I take up a new hobby, or binge-watch every TV series I can get my hands on? Will I find a new hobby, or just put my feet up and stare at the clouds for hours on end?
During school and work, our days are often predetermined. There are class schedules, deadlines, responsibilities, expectations, and roles. We are students, employees, classmates, colleagues, children, and friends. In the summer, a rare opportunity may arise to ask: Who am I when I’m not defined by grades, work tasks, or the expectations of others? What do I do when I finally get to choose for myself how to spend my day?
It's not like you have to choose. There should be time for everything, after all. But when there are just so many choices, it makes your eyes go blurry. And your head spins.
I’ll go ahead and offer a couple of tips, though:
Do something just because it makes you happy!
In our daily routine, we tend to choose our activities based on their profitability. Is it practical enough? Will it help me grow? Will it make money? Will it be something cool to tell others about later? And so on and so forth. Sure, these are things to keep in mind. But not always. Go to the woods and just hang out. Swim as much as you can. Watch every episode of “The Revenge Bureau.” Go to the amusement park. Create moments that bring pure joy!
Spend time with your loved ones, but make sure to set aside some time to enjoy yourself, too!
Time spent with loved ones and friends is priceless, and it’s definitely worth making time for pleasant get-togethers. But it’s also incredibly important to spend time with yourself and become better friends with yourself! Being alone with your thoughts doesn’t have to be deep, spiritual, or perfect. Some days, good ideas come to mind. Some days, your head is just a jumble of thoughts. Some days, all you realize is that you’re tired—and that, too, is an important discovery. Being alone doesn’t mean being lonely. It can be a meeting with yourself. And like any meeting, it might be a little awkward at first, but it becomes more familiar over time.
Article by Kerttu Kuku, youth worker at the Ilmatsalu Youth and Community Center
Photo by Maanus Kullamaa
