Much love, Shaudeh Farjami

“So, what are you doing this summer?”

The dreaded question of the season. How can I be convincing that I know what I’m doing? What volunteer work am I serving? What internship am I taking on? Am I traveling? Am I doing enough? What can I say to make me seem the most put together? How can I prove that I am doing the most? A spiral of thoughts otherwise known as the mind of a college student during the summer.

The college upperclassman summer experience. It’s about clocking in hours and checking off course credits instead of hot girl summer. Whether it’s a cooperate summer, test prep summer, Mediterranean voyage summer or a hometown summer— here’s my guide on how to stay balanced and keep a peace of mind during your adulting summer.

Using a planning or scheduling method is not only for the school year. Find a method to block out and schedule your time. While it can be difficult for some people to follow an hour to hour schedule, at least set goals of what you need to get done during the day. Write down what you need to achieve and highlight your top priorities. You will feel so accomplished looking back at all your checked boxes in the evening. This can be a physical planner, Notion Life digital planner or even a folder on the iPhone notes app.

What kind of goals are necessary for a balanced adult summer? Here’s my 6 point plan for a successful summer.

1. Nourish your body. This summer, I’m trying to get myself into a weekly grocery list habit. Even though that seems like a “give me”, I’ve never solidified a go-to list. Cooking meals and whipping up snacks on the go will help me maintain the most productive weekly schedule. If all works out, I’ll take these whole foods and nourishing habits back to South Central in the fall. The TikTok watermelon feta salad, oven roasted veggies, cottage cheese, homemade energy balls, and smoked salmon are a my current fixations.

2. Regular movement. I’m at the healthiest, most motivated point in my fitness journey than ever before. It’s not about the calories, it’s not about a fitting a certain pair of jeans, it’s not about attaining a body type that’s unattainable. Perhaps that’s because I am surrounded by a more supportive circle than ever before. I’ve found acceptance in myself and acceptance in my community. Until this summer, I viewed the summer gym grind as a time to “lose all the weight from the semester so I glow up before I go back to school.” The gym was never a safe space. It was a chore and a punishment for the cheat days, paying my extra dues in calories and skip days to the treadmill. Today, I can proudly say that the gym is anything but a punishment. The goal is to be stronger, more confident, toned, rid myself of negativity, and flush out the toxins. It’s the block of the day I set aside to empty my mind and focus on myself. There is nothing better than the bumping the GIRLS PRE GAME PLAYLIST and getting in a sweat. LISTEN TO MY GIRLS PRE GAME PLAYLIST (THIS IS NOT LIMITED TO THE LADIES). Changing up my movement whether the stair master, 12-3-30, yoga sculpt, or a hefty walk in Laguna Beach has helped me stay motivated.

3. Sleeping 7-9 hours. My sleep schedule has been my biggest enemy the past two months. This summer, do not overload your daily schedule. Be realistic and balanced. Some days, you won’t fit everything. The intern schedule, the workout schedule, eating a healthy diet, the social obligations— I hate to break it to you but sometimes you can’t do it all. Without a full cycle of sleep, you’re just setting yourself back for the new day before it even starts. Show up for yourself and give yourself the fresh, energized start you deserve.

4. Going hand in hand with a sleep schedule is the way you start and end your productive adulting day. Two crucial processes I like to call “jump starting” and “winding down”. You will find that both these components will have sky rocketing affects on positive mental health.

The Jump Start…

Can you wake up half an hour earlier? What could you do with that extra 30 minutes. Waking up earlier and starting the day right can make all the difference. A cold shower, supplements and vitamins, a morning coffee, or a skin care routine. Nothing says adulting quite like the daily vitamins and coffee morning routine to kick off a productive day.

Read my previous article, FIRST BLUSH: THE VALUE OF A MORNING MOMENT.

Winding Down…

A newly discovered ritual in my book. There is so much value in calming the night after the daily hustle to set the tone for a good night’s rest. Jotting down a schedule with goals for the coming day, checking off the to-do list from the succeeding day, taking THE shower, putting away the clutter. cleaning the surfaces, or reading just a few more pages of that mesmerizing book. Cool down.

5. Social activity. Dinner night with your hometown friends, the beach with your high school teammates, date night at the fair— the social agenda goes on. Social commitment are something to look forward to, but be cautious not to overload the distractions. Keep your head straight. Maybe your social calendar is only open on the weekends? Draw your line. It’s a work and play balance with smart priorities. Always treat yourself, always reward yourself. However, if you over do it, it won’t feel like a treat at all. Keep the status and reward special. Adulting doesn’t mean socializing as soon as the clock rings. Block out time to socialize, but keep the ratio productive. Human interaction is so valuable if you use it wisely. Adulting summer isn’t supposed to be easy or convenient. I’ve found that not seeing people you care about as often makes it so much more special when you do get to spend time with them. It makes the unexpected calls and check-in texts more meaningful. Experiencing what your life is like without some can help you realize how crucial they really are to you. It’s all about the first person you want to tell the good news too. Not to mention, I’ll never take the time with people for granted. Make time for social experiences, but don’t be discouraged if you’re adulting schedules don’t align every time. The time will come. Seeing someone less often doesn’t make your friendship or relationship any less than others.

A wise man once said, “Whatever bring you that immense joy, do that, that’s your luxury,” – Tyler, The Creator.

The best part about the 6 point plan? You can multitask. Make breakfast after a hike with your best friend, do a skin care routine and cook dinner with your sister. Mix and match your goals to maximize your productivity.

I don’t care who is doing “better than me”, because I’m doing better than I was last year. It’s me vs me. At the end of the day, I am doing something to maximize my path and future experiences. I am not going to tell people what I want to accomplish, what I’m hoping the outcome will be at the end of the summer— I’ll tell you about it when I’ve made in an accomplishment.

The stigma of LinkedIn has become a danger zone. The whole purpose of the platform is to be an outlet for professional opportunity. Stop and realize that other people’s success has nothing to do with yours or where you stand. Everyone’s path is different. A LinkedIn profile does not define your professional worth. In fact, most traits of pure character can not be quantified by a LinkedIn resume.

I wish I was kidding, I’ve watched people look their own friends up on LinkedIn to find out what they’re “doing” this summer? What is with this competitive generation? I’ve received notifications from friends I haven’t spoke to in awhile just to fish out, “What are you “doing” this summer, like intern wise.” We all know the difference between genuine care and snarky competition. Get a life outside of the competitive bubble. Everyone’s route and everyone adulting summer will look different.

I don’t want to hear a floral description of your crucial intern position at a firm in Downtown Los Angeles— formal terms for picking up coffee, filing mail, logging excel charts and killing time on the clock. Walk the walk. I’ll tell you what I accomplished when it’s my accomplishment and no longer a goal.

Much love,

Shaudeh Farjami