Summer Make-Over Inside Out

by Sharmeen Hirani

So, the New Year’s Resolutions didn’t work out so well, did they? Well, now that school’s out for the summer, it’s the perfect time to get back to basics, and make the most of your off-time.

Choose 3-5 promises to make to yourself this summer, stick with your promises, and get ready to meet a sophisticated, fresh and fabulous new you by August!

I promise to:

1) Spend LESS time on Facebook /Twitter/MySpace and get myself out and about! ***

Do I even need to explain this? You know what I’m talking about! Stop unconsciously typing the above web-addresses as soon as you hit your home page (sometimes without thinking), and replace your internet time with the activities below.

2) Finish a book.

Not only does reading a book take your mind off of possible stresses of the day, but it also expands your thinking, improves your memory, and helps you focus better.  I’m not saying pick up Plato’s Republic and read it inside out to get these benefits. Pick a book that you know you’ll enjoy and reap the rewards. Start a book club with your friends and get together each, if that’s the motivation you need. Pick up some yummy treats and have discussions about the latest chapters you’ve read.

Brown Girl Reading List Suggestions:

• Twilight (perfect to read with your girl friends!)
• Angels and Demons (a mind-capturing read)
• He’s Just Not That Into You (also a super fun-read with your friends for those girls’ nights!)
• Pride and Prejudice (for you heartless romantics)

3) Buy a CD or download a song I normally would not buy/ download.

4) Spend some time on creating a unique-to-me playlist that I can jam out to anywhere. I can finally create playlist to work out to, study to, sleep to. Check out the Brown Girl Summer Playlist!

5) Get a haircut and/or try a completely new hair-style.  I won’t be scared. After all I have all summer to grow it out and change it up!

6) Find a style that I like .

Don’t go out and buy those clothes that you see on everyone else. Go out and find a style that you like, not that the world likes. Spend some time to build your own personalized wardrobe. Start with the basics and then get creative! Go to different stores. Try on different ensembles. Play with colors and styles until you find the one that makes you go “OH MY” (in a good way) when you look in that mirror.  Fashion trends will come and go, but personal style stays forever. Find out what your personal style is and strut it!

7) Express myself through art.

Bust out with a smock and that beret you immediately bought two years ago when they were in style for 30 seconds. Find an easel and some colors and paint away, Picasso. If painting’s not your thing, try sketching, photography, pottery, or even writing. Find a place where you can relax and have at it. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at what inspires you and what you end up with.

Have a girl’s night out.

Always the cure to every problem. If going out isn’t your thing, grab some dessert, your favorite magazines, and pop-in “Bride Wars” or any other uber-girly movie with cute clothes and beautiful men.

9) Learn how to play an instrument.

If I can’t find a nice and decent boy to serenade me with his guitar, I’ll do it myself! Excuse me, while I fetch my guitar… okay so I don’t have one yet. But I’ll make sure to find one and learn a few chords to my favorite song!

10) Learn a new dance.

No, not the “Soulja-boy” or the “Stanky-leg” (you may do that on your own time after summer).  Look into salsa, hip-hop, line-dancing, or even classical Indian dance. There’s often free promotional classes offered at gyms or rec centers, especially at the beginning of the summer when schools let out. You don’t have to be good enough to perform on “Dancing with the Stars”, but at least you’ll have the secret satisfaction of knowing that you learned how to shake it (and got a fab workout in!)

11) Watch the news.

It’s time to stop hiding in our own little worlds and look at what is really going on out there. This year is ESPECIALLY a year we’ll want to talk about later.  An African-American man became president. A low budget Bollywood film won the Oscars. An underdog football team made it to the Superbowl, (for you sporty girls).  An economic recession has furiously impacted the entire world.  The time to be up-to-date with the headlines is now. You’ll learn many interesting things and knowledge on current events is an impressive quality through anyone’s eyes!

12) Go to a musical, a play, or a concert.

Find out where your cultural passion lies. You’ll see that it’s so much more exhilarating and energetic to view a live performance than it is to go to a movie or watch a music video at home.  At the same time it’s a great bonding activity to share with your friends, family, and an absolutely great date idea!  Plus, the fancier performances give you an excuse to dress to the nines and look even more beautiful!

13) Engage in a community service project.

You’d be surprised how many non-profit organizations look for volunteers to help over the summer. Whether its for a couple of weeks or a day, any amount of work makes a difference in someone’s life.  Volunteer at a soup kitchen, visit a children’s shelter, help build a house or paint a fence. You may even do something simple like clean your closet and gather up items for donations. A little time goes a long way!

14) Drink more water , take vitamins, and don’t forget the sunscreen!

When you’re on your way to the new you, don’t forget that the scorching hot weather tends to make you dehydrated and fatigued. You need all the energy you can get if you want to accomplish these endeavors! Besides water plays a huge role in keeping you from getting sick, clearing up your skin, and detoxifiying your body. Even though you’re brown, sunscreen can go a long way…

*** The first promise is a prerequisite to your entire summer makeover, no exceptions granted!

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