I hope you all have been staying safe and healthy during these crazy times. Sometimes I still can’t believe that the pandemic is going on after all these months and that we still should be social distancing. It feels like forever ago that we didn’t have to worry about any of that stuff. Although this is tough and definitely not the summer I pictured at the beginning of the year, I’m still trying to enjoy the summer as best as I can while staying safe and protecting myself and those around me. This year I had fun getting creative and thinking of fun things to do that are safe. Being forced out of my regular routine helped me to get out of my comfort zone and try new things. Even though New Jersey is slowly going back to normal- outdoor dining is available, malls are open, and beauty salons are back running (thank God for that)- I’m still social distancing and limiting my time indoors. I thought I’d put a list together of what I’ve been doing this summer, hopefully some of these ideas will come in handy for you guys!

Farm day

Going to local farms is one of my favorite things to do during the summer whether there’s a pandemic going on or not. Farm days are so fun and there’s so much you can do there. You can pet farm animals, pick up fresh produce, nibble on season fruits, and buy flowers perfect for an arrangement. This could be a quick trip or a day long event. Most farms have delicious food that you can order while you’re there if you need a quick snack break.

Outdoor dinning by the water

One of the things I missed the most when the lockdown started was going out to dinner with my friends. I love getting dressed up and going out to eat delicious food. As soon as restaurants opened their outdoor seating I couldn’t wait to bond with my friends in that way again. Last week I went to south Jersey with my sister and our friend and enjoyed lunch on the water. This was the perfect way to spend a summer afternoon, I loved watch the waves flow while I sipped on cocktails and munched on tacos. Eating near the beach made me feel like I was on a vacation- I had been planning a trip this summer that unfortunately was cancelled due to COVID- but this outing made it feel like I was somewhere tropical.

Picnic

It took an entire pandemic for me to realize that I love picnics. If you want to get out of the house and eat with friends and family, I highly recommend planning a picnic. Picnics are so fun and can make even the most average meal feel more exciting. Go to a nearby park and find a shady spot under a tree to sit. You can either make your own food or order takeout from your favorite restaurant.

Have a bonfire

Bonfires are a great cozy, nighttime outing that will give you something special to do. Grab some graham crackers and marshmallows and cook up some s’mores with your closest friends. You can make a fire pit using materials you have in your backyard, all you need is stones, bricks, and sticks. You’ll enjoy the bonfire even more knowing that you made it yourself.

I hope everyone has been staying as active as possible during this time. Just because the pandemic is still around, doesn’t mean you have to stay home and binge Netflix all day long. Be sure to stay safe and protect yourself using a mask while also social distancing as much as possible. How are you guys staying busy? Comment below!

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