Issue #20: The loser’s guide to a good, boring summer

July 8, 2025

It’s July, and for the people who live in the northern hemisphere, it’s summer too. Hot, humid summer that makes you feel like you’re melting, or at least it is like that where I live. Fortunately though, that isn’t all that this month has to offer, so I figured out this could be the perfect occasion to share what I consider to be the “loser’s guide to a good, boring summer”, as what you see online seems more like an inspirational list rather than a thing to actually follow.

1. Write a song

You can do it even if you don’t know how to play any instrument, it doesn’t have to be perfect. And if you DO have the means to produce it (whether it’s by knowing how to play an instrument or have a friend help you out with it) then go for it and live your indie artist fantasy! You don’t have to publish it anyways, so don’t let anyone hold you back.

2. Draw comics

Same thing as writing songs, you don’t have to be perfect at it. Document what happens in your life with stupid, unimportant comics (whether it’s comics about friends, family, or the cashier at the local grocery store). Look back at them at the end of the summer and pick your favorite.

3. Learn HTML and CSS and make your own website

Wherever you’re reading this, you must know a little about HTML and CSS. So why don’t you go over on Neocities or Nekoweb and try to make your website? Your first one will suck, and it’s okay. You can always wipe it and start over.

4. Choose something to learn and stick with it

Everyone has that something that they want to learn but never had the chance to. You don’t have to wait for “the perfect moment” to start learning. So, whether it’s skateboarding, painting, language learning or whatever else, do it. Life’s short anyways, so it’s better to try something and not like it than regretting not having learned something. Stick with it until the end of summer.

5. Make a time capsule

This one is kind of a wild card. You can do it on DVD if you prefer that instead of the classic box buried in your mom’s backyard. Put in pictures, letters to your future self, CDs, keychains and old toys (or burn videos, pictures, MP3s and music videos if you’re doing the DVD) and forget it somewhere in your attic and come back to it a few years later.

6. Read a book and keep a journal where you gossip about the characters like they are real

I think this would work the best on books like Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Pretend that the characters are real and write gossip about them in your journal of choice. Don’t be afraid of looking schizo, you can always throw the journal away once you’re done, so focus on having fun.

7. Find a penpal

You don’t have to purposefully find someone that’s from another country or continent. Do you have friends that live far away and can’t meet easily? Send them a letter. There’s also websites like globalpenfriends that help people find a penpal.

8. Write a poem every day

They can be dumb poems about anything. Don’t worry if the verses don’t rhyme, just write what your mind is capable of coming up with. Pick your favorite at the end of the summer.

9. Hang out with friends at local events

Every city, big or small, will host some kind of event at least once in the summer. Pick one of them and hang out there with friends, or even make new ones. Take pictures, engage with what the event offers, repeat.

10. Start a Youtube channel

While we’re at it, why don’t you document what you’ll be doing on a Youtube channel? Get your phone (or a camcorder if you’re feeling extra artistic) and record everything you’re up to. You don’t have to post influencer-level videos, so don’t get stressed over it.

Bonus: Forget about this list

Remember that I’m really no one to tell you what to do in *your* summer. If you wanna follow this list, good! If not, it’s okay. I don’t really care. Hell, I might not even follow this list myself, so don’t feel pressured to do what’s on here. Have fun and stay inside during heatwaves. Keep yourself safe.

- Dam