My summer is boring. What can I do?
Tu trouves que ton été est moins excitant que tu l'avais imaginé? Tu n'es vraiment pas la seule personne à vivre ça. Certaines personnes vivent un été rempli d'activités, d'autres beaucoup moins, et ça peut être difficile de ne pas se comparer.
Why am I so bored?
Summer means freedom... but it's also a big change. School is over, you have fewer chances to see your friends, and suddenly you're wondering what to do with all those hours. Maybe your friends are away on vacation, working different schedules than you, or you simply don't have many plans. Or maybe you're working all summer while everyone else seems to be enjoying their vacation.
And if you spend a little (or a lot) of time on social media, it can seem like everyone is having the perfect summer... except you. But remember: people usually share their best moments online, not the days they spend lying on the couch feeling bored! So chances are, other people's days aren't all as exciting as they seem online.
It's normal for some summers to be less exciting
Every summer is different. Some years your schedule is packed with plans. Other years, your days are quieter, and it can feel like nothing much is happening. That doesn't mean your summer is "ruined" or that your life is boring (even though it's easy to jump to that conclusion!).
Feeling bored once in a while is part of life—even for adults! And while it isn't always fun, boredom can also give you a chance to slow down, reflect, or discover new interests.
A few ideas to beat boredom
You don't need a big budget or a packed schedule to add something new to your days. For example, you could:
invite a friend you haven't seen in a while to hang out;
explore a new park, beach, library, or free festival near you;
go for a bike ride, a walk, or have a picnic;
try a new recipe or learn something through online tutorials;
start a TV series, read a book, listen to a podcast, or begin a creative project;
volunteer or sign up for an activity in your community;
challenge yourself to something fun, like taking one photo a day, learning a new language, or landing a new skateboarding trick.
Sometimes, a small change is enough to make the day feel a little brighter.
Try not to isolate yourself
When you're bored, it can be tempting to stay alone in your room scrolling through social media for hours. That might help for a little while, but if it becomes your only activity, you may end up feeling even lonelier.
Even if you don't feel like doing anything big, texting someone, going for a walk, or spending time with your family can make a difference.
What if I don't feel like doing anything?
Some days, you might simply feel like... doing nothing. And that's okay! You don't have to be productive or busy from morning to night to have a "successful" summer. Resting, daydreaming, or spending a few hours doing nothing is part of summer break too.
Think back to all those times during the school year when you wished you had more time for yourself. Well, now you do—so take the opportunity to reeeelax 😎
However, if you feel bored and/or lonely every day, or you've stopped enjoying the things you used to like, it could be a sign that something deeper is going on. If that's the case, don't hesitate to talk to someone you trust—or even reach out to Tel-jeunes. You don't have to go through it alone.
The goal isn't to have the most spectacular summer. It's to find a balance between the days full of activity... and the moments when you simply take the time to breathe.
