5 Things I’ll Need to Survive the Summer

I write this post on things I’ll need to survive the summer every year. A lot of years the list looks much the same, but this year survival seems much more literal.

Summer during a pandemic is bound to look differently from those before. There will be much more time at home and we don’t have any summer travel planned.

My summer workload will be minimal. I’ll continue volunteering in my presidential position with College Media Association. I’ll also work on summer training for The Shield staff.

We’re mostly just planning a quiet summer at home. It’s not our preference, but it’s smarter and safer right now.

In this site’s annual tradition, here are 5 Things I’ll Need to Survive the Summer:

1. POOL

I am so grateful that we finished our pool and pool house project at the beginning of last summer. Having our little piece of paradise here will make sheltering at home this summer much more enjoyable. I see many summer days of water and sun in my near future, as long I as I can get the Oklahoma weather to cooperate.

2. LIBRARY APP

I spend even more time than usual reading during the summer, but COVID-19 means my reading already has ramped up. I may read more this summer than ever before. I love using Libby, my library’s app to check out ebooks and audiobooks. I’m going to need a lot of them!

3. Kindle Oasis

I wish I could have combined this with No. 2 because it kinda feels like I got cheated since two of my summer survival items are reading related. I’m just keeping it real.

I bought a Kindle Oasis last summer because it’s waterproof and doesn’t overheat in the sun. I don’t love reading on it because you have to turn pages instead of scrolling, but I can use it in the pool without worry, which makes up for the other limitation. I’ll be floating around reading a lot.

4. Tik Tok

No, I am not Tik Tok famous, nor do I aspire to be, but I’ve come to love the app during social isolation. Tik Tok makes me laugh, and these light-hearted moments are just what I need right now.

5. Zoom

Love it or hate it, Zoom is part of our new normal. I actually love Zoom because it gives me the best of both worlds. I can stay at home, but still conduct business and “see” friends. I know I’ll be using Zoom a ton this summer for virtual meetings, trainings and maybe even a few happy hours. I’m totally ok with that.

This is the short list of things I’ll need to survive the summer. I could have put a lot of other things on this list, but this is what I know I’ll need for sure.

Your turn!

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO SURVIVE THE SUMMER?