Sometimes, the routine of going to school, doing some extra-curriculars, hanging out with friends, repeating it all over again, can begin to feel monotonous. At this point, a fun, de-stressing adventure is needed. These adventures don’t need to consist of costly or time-consuming activities, such as a cross-country road trip or attending a music festival. Instead, there are equally as fun and far less expensive alternatives.
Local Concerts
Be it an open mic night at a local coffee shop or an unheard-of indie band’s performance at a small nearby venue, a concert is a concert. If your town doesn’t have either of these options, look for student-led concerts at local high schools or colleges.
But, if you’d rather stay in, throw your own concert – blast your favorite playlist and have a dance party with friends or solo.
Going to a concert is a great way to de-stress and have fun
Eat Something/Somewhere New
Stepping outside your comfort zone can make for a great adventure. Whether you cook something new, pick up something unusual from the grocery store, or try out a new restaurant, food can be the foundation for this adventure.
The best food adventure I’ve been on occurred a few years ago, when I made a list of foods I disliked and had been, consequently, avoiding for years. After making this list, I proceeded to taste each of these foods. I made lifelong bonds with foods that day, including current staples such as peanut butter and jelly and marshmallows, to name a few. This adventure challenged me to question myself and to venture into the food world.
Trying new foods helps you to get out of your comfort zone.
Crafting and Repurposing
The cycle that is repurposing can start in a myriad of places – maybe you have an old shirt sorely needing a re-design, or perhaps there is a local thrift store or antique fair featuring clothing articles or furniture pieces needing modernization. I’m always at fairs such as these or rummaging through piles of clothes at local thrift stores in search of something inspirational. This process is an adventure within itself, but the true adventure has yet to begin.
Crafting takes fine motor skills and a lot of practice, but you could end up creating something beautiful.
The repurposing process is when you can get creative. For examples, in the past, I’ve splatter painted a tarnished silver tray with multiple colors of acrylic paint to make a jewelry tray, ironed patches onto plain or torn jeans, distressed T-shirts and changed the necklines, and sanded scratched and discolored wooden units, among many other projects. If you’re not ready to go the permanent route of cutting, ironing, or painting, head to a crafting or convenience store to pick up ribbons, which can be versatile – they can turn a clutch into a cross-body purse or form a belt.
In this way, a trip to a thrift store or antique fair can turn into a weekend-long project – one that can be carried out alone or with help.
Return to Your Childhood
Revisit the things you loved doing as a child, and compare notes with a friend or several: did they love these activities, as well? After this verbal trip down memory lane, jump in. Re-enact these activities in some way, whether this means a journey to a nearby playground, playing board games, or running through a field, picking flowers – a personal favorite of my childhood self.
Let free your inner child by doing your former favorite activities.
Learn a New Skill
In many communities, there are free or inexpensive classes offered teaching a variety of skills, such as yoga, meditation, or an instrument. Trying one of these classes at the beginners’ level can be fun, and possibly even help you to develop a lifelong passion for the class’s subject matter.
Learning something new can help you learn something about yourself, as well.
Have Your Say
How do you and your friends like to de-stress? Which of these activities have you tried, and which do you plan to? Let us know in the comments
