Simply Avalon

1 | Disconnect

I love social media as much as the next person, but even I realize when it's time to take a break. I also understand the hypocrisy since you are probably reading this on your phone or laptop, but I still have to say it. TAKE A BREAK. Summer is a great excuse (or opportunity) to step away from the computer for a few days and truly live in the moment.

2 | Prioritize your Relationships (and Friendships)

Summer, at least for students, is a great time to reconnect with people you may have not been able to see during the school year. Prioritize the relationships in your life because, in all honesty, these are what make life worth living. Set up a lunch or ice cream date and catch up with your friends.

3 | Check in with Yourself 

I love summer because it is a great reminder to slow down. Throughout the busy school year, we are constantly at a go. We're pushing ourselves to the brink so that we can make it to the next level, but summer reminds us to take some time for ourselves and appreciate how far we've come to achieving our goals. It isn't selfish to check in with yourself and treat yourself as needed. You have to take time to REST and prepare for the next season of your life whether that be the next level in school or another year at your workplace.

4 | Go Outside

Enjoy the sunlight baking your skin, the fresh air filling your lungs, and the beauty of nature around you. I love summer because it is a great reminder that the sun keeps shining. It's sometimes easy to forget that the sun will dawn again during the fall and winter months, but summer really does help remind us that we were put on this Earth for a reason. I know it's sometimes hard to find a reason to go outside and enjoy the outdoors, especially since many of us work inside, but if you can try to be outdoors a little more this season.

5 | Take Life 1 Day at a Time

Don't plan your life too far out. This is hard for me, but I've had to realize that if we keep wishing for the next stepping stone we'll miss the reality of the stepping stone we're already in. I know it's cliche to say, but life is really about the journey, not the destination. Use summer to be a little more spontaneous. Say yes to that brunch with friends or that random concert you were invited to.

How will you try to be more present in your life?

This is such a late monthly update, but better late then never...right? I won't lie moving into a college dorm really gave me a chance to see how my time would be spent in college. It's hard balancing work and a social life which is why I took a little time to get oriented before coming back to this blog. I had some blog posts that were scheduled to go up, but they weren't fully done which is why some of you guys saw some blank posts. Regardless, there's no excuse and I promise to be better now that I know what my time is going to look like in the fall. Anyway, here are my favorite moments in June.

1 | W&L AIM Program

The biggest thing that happened in June was moving to W&L for a 5-week summer program. I never expected to make so many friends and have so much fun on this trip. I know I mentioned this program in a previous blog post, but back then I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I had no idea I was walking into an incredible program that would help improve my leadership skills and broaden my educational horizon. Nevertheless, in those short 5 weeks, I got that and more. I would go further into all that I did, but many of the moments I highlighted in this post come from things I did during this program, so I'll leave it to those.

2 | Visit Goshen Falls, VA

While in Virginia I had the chance to visit Goshen falls which is a popular spot in the Rockbridge area. Even though it wasn't hot we still got a chance to enjoy the water and picnic in the sun. IF you're ever in the area I would totally recommend giving it a shot.

3 | First Drive-In Movie

I don't know about you, but there are no drive-in movies where I'm from. We do sometimes have movies on the lawn, but never something like this. Yet I got to visit Hulls Drive-in while I was in Virginia and it was such a great experience - even if I probably should have packed warmer clothes to wear. We got to watch Toy Story 4 and the new live-action Aladdin movie. I loved Aladdin...Toy Story 4 not so much, but it was still a great time!

4 | Saw Julius Cesear at Blackfriars Playhouse

At this point, you're probably tired of hearing about the places I got to visit in Virginia, but I couldn't not include my trip to the famous Blackfriars Theatre. This theatre is the only theatre in the world to be modeled after Shakespeare's indoor theatre. Getting to see Julius Caesar on stage was such a great experience and I'm so thankful AIM gave me an opportunity to see this in person.

5 | Journalism Shenanigans 

My AIM program experience focused on the life of a journalist since I was in the journalism immersion. This meant I got to conduct interviews, write scripts for video packages, and anchor for an online news broadcast. This experience was nothing less than amazing because it allowed me to see that this could be the thing I want to do in the future.

6 | Survived My First Spin Class

7 | Reconnected with old friends

Throughout my college application process, I had the chance to visit many schools through various fly-in programs. This allowed me to truly see what college life could look like for me. It also allowed me to meet a ton of amazing people who will probably do some amazing things at the institutions they wound up in. Over June I happened to reconnect with some of the friends I met with on these trips and am so excited to see these relationships bloom further. It just goes to show you never know the impact the people in your life will have on you.

What did you do this past June?