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I have the whole summer to do SOMETHING, but what?! Please inspire me!

22 replies

WomaninShite · 03/07/2023 21:03

I'm starting a new job in September in a school amongst some high achieving people. So far my main achievements are not always succeeding in playing the piano very badly, and I once got a letter published in my local paper. (So the bar is set low!).
I have the summer to do SOMETHING, but what?! I haven't got the fitness for a marathon or even a 5k. My 'skills' are words and I'm slightly creative. Can anyone inspire me so I actually do something with my summer instead of vague tidying and eating too much. Bonus points for anything that sounds impressive/niche.

OP posts:

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determinedtomakethiswork · 03/07/2023 21:15

I would do two things: get fit and write a novel.

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CherryCokeFanatic · 03/07/2023 21:16

Go on a holiday some place interesting and see the sights? Not sure why it has to be some kind of achievement

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Tigresswoods · 03/07/2023 21:17

Take up golf?

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SirKurtBored · 03/07/2023 21:20

Buy or borrow a bike. Enjoy the weather on your fa e and exploring little lanes.

even in the town I have lives in for thirty years I find new things on a bike when I choose to wonder down streets and paths so far discovered.

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frozendaisy · 03/07/2023 21:22

Written word, stand up, music poetry as in Kae Tempest/Hollie McNish.

Or aim to get a letter publish in 3 papers

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nobodygoesdowninthejungle · 03/07/2023 21:50

When my DC was little, I worked in a similar environment. I seemed to do nothing but watch Peppa Pig or go to birthday parties at soft play. I made sure I was up to date with current affairs and, crucially in my male dominated environment, knew what was going on in various sports. I realised you didn't necessarily have to know the finer details of the sports but enough to understand why something which has happened that weekend was controversial.
Otherwise, just be interested in what they had done.

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Beenawhilesinceacupoftea · 03/07/2023 21:51

You can get to 5K in a summer. Download couch to 5K.

I would make a demanding reading list.

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Sunnysunbun · 03/07/2023 21:58

You could entertain them with your tales of mediocrity. I remember a work colleague with a PhD telling me about her PhD and all her family and friends who had PhD’z and I told her about how when I was at uni working in McDonald’s I was so successful I got three gold stars on my badge. I could tell she was jealous.
Could you invent a criminal past? Jewellery thief in San Tropez?
Do an Ironman!

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dotdotdotdash · 03/07/2023 22:07

I would do a painting summer school, join the local velodrome for track training or do lots of swim practice, maybe join a walking group and visit a couple of cool places in Europe like Bilbao or Antwerp. Oops, that sounds a bit costly!

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theresalwaysguineapigcurry · 03/07/2023 22:24

Enter loads of free writing contests online.

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AtomicBlondeRose · 03/07/2023 22:26

I agree that you could do coach to 5k in a summer even if you’re really not a runner.

Can you do cryptic crosswords? That’s a good thing to learn if not. I did one every day in lockdown.

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Plentiful · 03/07/2023 22:40

Sunnysunbun · 03/07/2023 21:58

You could entertain them with your tales of mediocrity. I remember a work colleague with a PhD telling me about her PhD and all her family and friends who had PhD’z and I told her about how when I was at uni working in McDonald’s I was so successful I got three gold stars on my badge. I could tell she was jealous.
Could you invent a criminal past? Jewellery thief in San Tropez?
Do an Ironman!

Most people with PhDs will have worked at McDonalds or similar, though. Out of my doctoral cohort, we had one person who worked at Sainsbury’s, one Nandos, one whipper-in for a hunt, and one woman who worked on sex phonelines. I was a (really bad) chambermaid.

OP, I’m with the first poster. Do couch to 5k and write a novel. Running and writing work really well together.

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Wigeon · 03/07/2023 22:45

Improve your piano playing - can you get the book for the next grade up, so you have something to aim for? Actually practice scales and arpeggios. Maybe have a few lessons to get you back on track?

Couch to 5k is especially for people who start off not fit! Totally do-able, and you can repeat days /weeks if you want (but it does build yo very gradually anyway)

How old is your house? I've been researching my house's history, which is fascinating. Or your family history? You can access Ancestry and Findmypast in the local library.

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Lesina · 03/07/2023 22:46

Hitch hike through Europe

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TwigTheWonderKid · 03/07/2023 23:00

What about going on a writers' retreat? Or indeed any kind of retreat? Look here.

You could also join a wild swimming group.

But are you just looking for an activity to do over the summer to make yourself appear more interesting or do you actually want to make your day to day life more interesting? If you are content doing what you usually do then you shouldn't let what other people think dictate how you live your life.

THE 10 BEST Writing Retreats in 2023/2024

So you're looking for Writing Retreats in 2023/2024, huh? We're here for you: ✓human reviews ✓lowest prices ✓the best retreats, and above all…♥

https://bookretreats.com/s/other-retreats/writing-retreats

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Mingomang · 03/07/2023 23:06

Go on a drum camp

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ElizaWinter · 03/07/2023 23:23

walk the south west coast path
learn to hoola hoop
write a short novel
take up tai chi
go to Venice
go to Europe for the summer visiting shows and festivals
draw a giant chalk creature on a hill

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Twilight7777 · 03/07/2023 23:58

learn British sign language? (And then teach me 🤣)

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Winter2020 · 04/07/2023 00:19

If funds are an issue you could get looking at jobs online and see if you can find an interesting or social job you might enjoy for the summer. E.g. working at concerts/events, extra in a movie - anything you can find that looks fun. Even a job with accommodation away from home if you don't have dependents.

If you have a bit of savings and no responsibilities you could walk some of the Camino way.
This info suggests people of all religions and none choose to.
https://caminoways.com/walking-the-camino-de-santiago

This page talks about walking it in the summer
https://followthecamino.com/en/blog/walking-the-camino-de-santiago-in-summer/#:~:text=Typically%20the%20temperatures%20will%20gradually,the%20Camino%20during%20these%20months.

In the UK you could take a tent or book a travelodge/Premier Inn and visit some places you have wanted to go. A National Trust or English Heritage membership could help with this one.

Walking the Camino de Santiago

Walking the Camino de Santiago

https://caminoways.com/walking-the-camino-de-santiago

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thecatinthetwat · 04/07/2023 00:38

Last summer I wrote a weekly blog for my local museum. It was really good fun and museums are usually looking for volunteers ime. This summer I plan to volunteer for a local charity supporting refugees. There’s so much you can do op, good luck!

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milkydress · 04/07/2023 00:42

Do a pottery course! Or painting....local colleges have some reasonable priced ones over summer

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StillMedusa · 04/07/2023 00:49

Start learning a language while walking/doing couch to 5k!
I've started learning Italian (using Coffee Break Italian on Spotify) and I listen while walking miles with the dog. It's surprisingly satisfying and because I walk for over two hours a day I'm making progress!

Make a reading list...there are some great suggestions here on MN... and read!

Get going on the piano again! (I also play REALLy badly and am re learning!)

Start a novel!

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