When I was in school, summers used to feel like a whole year given to me to recharge between the school years. Every summer felt like a separate life where I could do fun and new things, be a completely different and cool person and have almost an entirely different identity. Summer me loved dressing in bright colours, wearing wooden necklaces, climbing into fountains, getting temporary tattoos and spontaneously making cakes or going on all rides in Wonderland because I was fearless like Tom Cruise in the summer.

Since joining the workforce full-time, summers look and feel different. They are particularly painful when you walk through summer downtown and pass by tourists sitting on the patios and enjoying their breakfast while you march towards the office with its grey cubicle walls, knowing you will be stuck there for the next 8 hours. Especially if your vacation is not in the summer or the summer does not have any trips planned, then it hurts even more. But don’t despair, I came up with a list of things you can do to still take advantage of the summer even if you have to work. Let’s go!

Getting into summer mood – basic level

• Get temporary tattoo
• Get a fresh haircut
• Teeth whitening, changing skin care products for lighter formulas
• Getting summer perfume – floral, beachy lighter scents or sprays
• Buying summer clothes – for weekend events if you are busy on weekdays. Or something different to wear to work – lighter colours like white, beige or sand or getting colourful statement pieces. Lighter fabrics like cotton or linen or muslin. I invested in 2 main colours: all shades of the blue and all shades of the beige, like the sea and the sand. And in-between I wear stripes. My goal is to look like I am stepping from the boat because this is where I want to be.
• Getting lighter bedsheets or covers – I was today’s old when I discovered cooling blankets. They are light, make you feel 5-10 degrees colder and they also add weight so it is really relaxing. Highly recommended especially for summer nights!
• Refreshing your home with summer scents – could be through scented oils, candles or room sprays
• Getting good water bottle
• Summer bag or purse. It can be white, bright colours or a straw beach bag
• Getting sunglasses and a hat
• Getting or wearing summer (waterproof or bright  coloured) jewelry. I was watching a show and noticed that in Portugal women wear bright coloured shirts and bright coloured earrings at the same time. Love it!
• Buying fruits and berries for more fun lunches
• Patios!
• Getting summer manicure with more colours
• Watching movies that you associate with the summer (many 90s movies where events take place in the summer)
• Making a list of summer reads

Enjoying summer – advanced level

• Moving furniture around at home to have a new flow of energy
• Getting a palm tree (or a few) for the backyard/balcony. If you can get new patio furniture or refresh chairs or tables it is even better!
• Update (or create a new one if you have not) vision board for the summer or for the second half of the year. You can either cut pictures from magazines and tape them up on a paper or build your digital collage and put it on your phone as a lock screen.
• Take day trips to explore things near you (or weekend getaway!). Explore small towns and local gems. Even if you have visited places in the past, I have noticed in the last 5 years things to do have evolved – new parks, swimming pools, activities and so forth have been built. For example, I recently discovered a newly built swimming pool and splash pad built in the park near me that did not exist 5 years ago. We had a great time to go there for couple of hours
• Put away all fall and winter clothing – I know most people do it with jackets but how about sweaters, hats, cardigans and warm pants? I bet these things still occupy space and ruin your summer vibes. Put them away for the next 2-3 months!
• Put away extra dishes you do not use. My kitchen is always a mess and it is partly because we have a crazy amount of plates and cups like there are 20 people living in the house but it is just us 3. I have noticed when going to cottage that there is limited amount of dishes and cups provided – and how easy and fast it is to wash them and maintain a clean kitchen. All the extra stuff is eating away your energy!
• Clean glasses, mirrors and windows. First, it will let more light in. There is arabic saying that a clear mirror helps to clarify thoughts. Why not?
• Get paper books, magazines and notebooks. There is something special about dealing with paper and writing summer notes in ink and not just typing them up. It helps me feel grounded
• Run barefoot on the grass. There is a term for this – grounding. My toddler does it and I swear she looks happier (she also rolls on it but maybe it’s next level)
• Explore the area where you work and live. Walk outside every lunch, maximize your walking when commuting. Notice and explore things
• Reach out to your long distance friends! It is really fun to exchange summer plans and photos. At school I used to have to write an essay on how I spent my summer every fall. If you were to write the essay this fall, what would you want it to be? Start backwards and add summer fun to your list.
• Add summer scents everywhere. I got everything with coconut because it reminds me of sunscreen I use when I  travel to the beach. I also added floral smelling soaps and sprays in bathrooms and kitchen

Having fun like there is no tomorrow – master level

• See sunset. When I was in high school we had so much energy we would come up with ways to make every day memorable. This is how it goes – meet with your friends (or your family, can be on the weekend) – go to the least unobstructed spot. In my case we went to the end of the street where there is a bridge over highway but on the left all you can see is a lake (lake Ontario). My idea was to have champagne over watching sunset (because that’s how they do it in Russia/Ukraine on the night when graduating high school) but you can bring your own version of special drink and food. Ideally bring drink only and after you see the sunset, go out for a full breakfast. Just do your research to know what is open at early hour. I promise it will be a special day. And you should take pictures
• See as many fireworks as you can and make wishes every time you see them
• Create your playlist from all songs that remind you of summer and vacation. From the earliest age you can remember. Then take a ride in the evening during golden sunset hour, and blast your favourites while having windows open
• Have a summer Vin Diesel moment. No, it does not mean shaving your head and driving your car as fast as you can (although you can!). My favourite part of Fast and Furious movies is the very end where they are always having a bbq with friends while blasting reggaeton music and having coronas beers.
• Find a way to do your favorite activities outside – sports, exercising, drawing, reading and even making jewelry (or whatever your hobby is) can be done outdoors
• Write yourself letters – to yourself from the past and to the future. Write when you are in a good mood. Share your energy with your future self!
• Get inside the fountains, splash pads or lakes!