Summer is a perfect time to go outside and soak up some sunshine. While it is great to take time for yourself to relax, you should also make time to go on adventures with your friends and family. Before summer arrives, it is important to plan out what you want to do, and what you hope to accomplish. Maybe you want to tackle a summer reading list and attend a concert, or maybe you want to enroll in an art class or pick up a summer job. With just a little preparation, you can set yourself up for a fun and productive summer.

Steps

Updating Your Beauty Routine

1. Unpack your summer clothing. Bring brightly colored prints and lightweight fabrics to the forefront of your wardrobe. Try on your summer clothes to see what still fits you, and take stock of any key items you might need to replace. If your summer clothing has gone untouched since last summer, make sure to wash anything that smells musty before wearing it out.^[1]
   
   • While you are rotating your summer clothing, see what you are willing to part with and donate it to a local thrift store. You may even find some summer clothing at the thrift store to bulk up your wardrobe.^[2]
2. Purchase a new swimsuit. To get yourself into the summer spirit purchase a new swimsuit that best represents your personality. You don’t have to buy a two piece or even what is trending at the moment. Find a swimsuit that you will be comfortable in and will confidently wear out in public.^[3]
   
   • If you don’t own or can’t find your sunglasses, make sure to purchase a new pair of those as well. Look for sunglasses that offer UV protection, or even visit your local ophthalmologist to get prescription sunglasses.
3. Pick up a new bottle of sunscreen that is best suited for your skin. There are so many different types of sunscreen, it can be overwhelming to find the right one. Try and look for a sunscreen that has at least an SPF 30 protection. If you have fair skin, you may need a stronger SPF level or a sunscreen that has zinc in it to properly protect your skin.^[4]
   
   • Sunscreens can be greasy and clog your pores. If you have acne or sensitive skin, look for sunscreens that are manufactured by your favorite soap companies like Neutrogena or ones that are oil-free.
   • Some sunscreens even double as bronzers. If you want to protect your skin, and give it a golden glow, look for sunscreens with bronzer or tanning agents in them.
4. Minimize your makeup routine to unclog your pores. When you sweat, your makeup can easily crease, flake off, and even clog your pores. Wearing less makeup will allow your pores to open and naturally produce sweat to keep your body cool.^[5]
   
   • If you want to wear makeup, opt for items that are waterproof. Even though it is a little more expensive and harder to take off, wearing waterproof makeup will prevent your mascara or liquid liner from running down your face when you sweat or take a dip in the pool.
5. Soak up some sun poolside or in your backyard. Cold winters and rainy springs can seriously deprive you of vitamin D, so grab a towel or a chair and enjoy the sunshine. Just make sure to lather on sunscreen to keep your skin from burning or being damaged. Getting time in the sun can be fun and refreshing, but only if you do not get burned in the process.^[6]
   
   • Wear an SPF 30 sunscreen to protect your skin, and re-apply it every 2 to 3 hours.^[7]
   • If you have particularly sensitive skin, consider sitting under an umbrella or wearing a large, floppy hat to protect your head and face. You can still feel the positive effects of basking outside even if you are not direct in the sunlight.

Making Time for Self-Improvement

1. Write out a personal summer reading list. Summer is a great time for you to unwind, relax, and read a good book. It is an easy activity to bring with you to the beach, to a coffee shop, or even to the park. Grab a pen and a piece of paper, and jot down some book titles that you have been wanting to read, but haven’t had the chance to.^[8]
   
   • Once you have made that list, visit your local bookstore or go online and purchase your top literature choices. If you have access to a public library, go and check out books from there. This will allow you to catch up on your favorite book series, and save you some cash.
2. Enroll in summer courses that are both fun and informative. Instead of lounging in the sun the whole summer, challenge yourself by enrolling in summer courses. These can be strictly education related courses that will get you ahead or catch you up in your schooling, or the courses can be on something fun that you have always wanted to learn.^[9]
   
   • Go online or ask an authority figure at your school to see what summer classes are offered. You can retake that history class you did not do so great in, or you can get ahead and enroll in an advanced math class. Some of the classes may even be offered in the evenings, or online.
   • Check with your local community center, or newspaper to see what seasonal courses are available. Maybe you want to learn how to play the guitar, brush up on your swimming skills, or even take an art class and learn how to paint beautiful landscapes.^[10]
3. Apply for a summer job so you have extra spending cash. Having a summer job is an easy way to earn a little cash over the summer, and build up your resume. If you are planning to go on vacation or attend a lot of ticketed events, you may just need the extra summer cash.^[11]
   
   • A lot of businesses and companies hire part-time workers during the summer to offset the influx of summertime customers. This is especially true if you live near a popular vacation spot like the shore. Check the classifieds section of your local newspaper, and see what businesses are hiring.
   • If you have a friend who is also looking for a summer job, see if you can find a place that is hiring for multiple positions. Working with a friend will help pass the hours, and give you both something to look forward to when heading to work.^[12]
4. Join a local gym or pick up a physical activity. Summer is a great time to start being more active, and develop a healthier lifestyle. You can join a local gym, or you can pick up a seasonal sport like badminton or volleyball. If gyms and seasonal sports don’t seem appealing to you, take a walk or a bike ride through a local park. Do something that will get you moving, and something that you will enjoy.^[13]
   
   • Grab a friend or a family member to join you. Developing a healthier lifestyle does not have to be a solo act. You can just as easily go on a walk with a friend as you can alone. Having someone workout with you will also hold you more accountable until you develop the habit.^[14]
5. Cook some healthy summertime recipes. Instead of just opting for instant meals or junk food, print out some healthy recipes to cook this summer. Find recipes that you think will complement the activities you plan to do throughout the summer.^[15]
   
   • Recipes that involve a lot of fruits or vegetables will seem cool and refreshing in contrast the warm weather. Sweet and spicy barbeques will go great with large family gatherings.
   • To find some summertime recipes, visit your local library to check out some cookbooks, or go online to popular websites like The Food Network.^[16]

Planning for Summertime Activities and Events

1. Search in advance for movies, concerts, or other events. Music festivals and major blockbusters thrive during the summer months. These can be easy and inexpensive experiences to have with family and friends. You can attend a fireworks display, or go and see a concert in the park. Look up the events ahead of time, so you do not miss out.^[17]
   
   • A lot of local parks will host early morning or evening music concerts for free. You can mostly likely find a calendar of events with your local community center or through your local newspaper.^[18]
   • Go on websites like Fandango or Movie Tickets to see what movies are coming out this summer. You may even be able to pre-order tickets to venues you think will sell out quickly.
2. Schedule a day-trip to somewhere close by. If you are operating on a tight budget this summer, but still want to get away, plan a day-trip with a couple of friends or family members. Day-trips are great if you want to explore neighboring towns or your entire state, and you really only need a reliable car and a full tank of gas to do this.^[19]
   
   • If your friends go with you, have everyone chip in for gas money. This will cut down on traveling costs for you, or for whoever else is driving.
3. Budget and schedule a vacation to somewhere special. Sometimes the summer months are not enough of a vacation. Sometimes you need to physically go somewhere and experience something new. Start budgeting and planning your special summer getaway a few months in advance.
   
   • Planning your vacation early will not only save you money on transportation costs and lodging costs, but it might also guarantee that you get to participate in certain activities that need to be booked ahead of time.^[20]
4. Spend some quality time with your family and friends. Summer is a good time to catch up and make new memories with family and friends. Don’t be quick to plan a summer centered on yourself. Spending time with the people you love can enhance an experience.^[21]
   
   • Instead of routinely going to the cafe or to the park to read a book, invite a close friend for coffee, or gather some family members in the park for a picnic. These will be memories you can look back on fondly as the summer ends.
5. Pencil in some lazy days for yourself. While it is good to make plans ahead of time, do not overbook your summer. Schedule in some personal lazy days for you to stay home, binge-watch television, play video games, or whatever it is that you want to do. The summer can go by extremely fast once you develop a routine, so make sure to take some time to relax as well.^[22]
   
   • Your lazy days don’t have to just be for yourself if you don’t want them to be. Maybe you want to chill at home with some friends and have a movie night, or maybe you want to take your dog to the park to play. Just do something that will give you the needed time to relax.