The summer season is here. Finally, we can spend hours outdoors from sunrise to sunset. Now that summer is here, let’s make sure we make the most of this season.
Photograph: Unsplash
Text: Lyndsay Jensen
Some people feel they must do extravagant things to make the most of the summer. However, I will share with you a few things you can do to make the most out of this summer doing simple everyday things.
1. Watch a sunrise
Watching a sunrise is one of the most beautiful ways to begin your day. Yes, the sun rises early, and you may have to make special arrangements to be on time to see this show of nature.
Grab a coffee (or your favourite morning beverage), camera, or smartphone and be ready to experience a magnificent art show in the sky. It allows you to see how grand our world is. The vastness of the sky, the morning sun peeking through the horizon, and the parade of colours exhibited are incredible.
2. Be a tourist in your town
Let’s face it - we view our surroundings daily with our eyes half shut. So this summer, I encourage you to take the eyes of a tourist and look at your town and the towns nearby.
Research your area. Have you driven by a particular place repeatedly, thinking, I should check that out? One way to become a tourist in your area is to pretend that you have guests coming, and you will need to be their tour guide. Find all the interesting sites and things to do in your area.
Now go out and enjoy your town and make new memories.
3. Build a sandcastle
If you are fortunate to live by the seaside, you will understand the joy of shore living. Feeling the sea breeze, and hearing the sounds of the fjørd, can calm you in ways that nothing else can.
Another side to beach life is to be carefree like a child. Building a sandcastle is a fun, enjoyable task. Hauling the buckets of sand and water to make the castle is just plain old fun. The joy in watching your castle come to life is priceless.
If you’re reading this and thinking this is just a thing for kids to do, you couldn’t be more wrong. In today’s world, which causes us to be so “busy” most days, a dose of sandcastle building is one of the simple things that can be so enjoyable. So go ahead and try it!
4. Go camping or glamping
Camping refreshes the soul. Quality of life is added when we take time away from everyday life to simplify and unwind in nature. Unfortunately, in today’s world, we are running full pace living lives of frenzied activity packed with electronic devices. When was the last time you unplugged and spent time with your family connected to nature?
Camping exhibits the simplicity of life and all the beauty around us that we often take for granted. Waking up to the morning light with birds and other wildlife sounds relaxes and readies you for the day. Spending hours outdoors with the ones you love will bring you lifetime memories.
5. Go to an outdoor concert
Denmark is on music fire during the summer, and a few places offer free outdoor concerts in the summer. So make it a summer tradition with your kids to go to one concert during the summer, and try to keep the tradition alive as they grow older. Who knows, maybe your grandchildren will join too one day. So, check out what is in your area.
6. Spend time with family and friends
Spending quality time with your family and friends is the best way to make the most of this summer. Summer is a fantastic time to “make memories” that will last a lifetime. During the summer, the days are longer, allowing us more time to be outdoors.
Make sure to schedule times with the ones you want to be with. So often, we say we want to do “such and such” with someone, and before we realise it, the days have come and gone without even getting together.
Make family dates throughout the summer. Dedicate a particular day of the week that you meet up with them and spend time doing something special. Maybe have a barbeque once a week, go for an evening walk together, or have a movie night. If you plan these events, you will be sure to be able to spend special times together.
7. Star gazing
I’m no expert on the locations of stars and planets in the sky, but I don’t let that get in the way of stargazing. Laying on a blanket under a starry sky isn’t just romantic - it is also very relaxing. Hot summer nights offer us the opportunity to do this.
If you live in or around a city, you may want to find a location that offers a darker sky for better viewing. Another excellent tip: download an app on your phone that will tell you precisely what you are viewing. Learning the constellations and where they are in the night sky is extraordinary.
8. Travel As Much As Possible
As soon as the word “travel” is mentioned, many have ideas of far away exotic places. While it is fantastic to be able to visit those places, sometimes it doesn’t fit into our plans or budget.
Travelling obviously will take more time, money and planning than other activities. However, with some research, you can find some trips are not too costly. No matter where you go, a learning experience is waiting for you. Stretching our minds through travel is a beautiful thing.
Our team at The International will also take a little hiatus for summer. I’m sure you’ll agree they’re a hard-working team and deserve some summer fun too! But, we will be back in August, and this summer, no matter where you are or what you are doing, I wish you sunshine, love and laughter.