5 Steps Out of Your Comfort Zone to Enjoy Summer

August 23, 2010, By Taurus Londoño 0 comments

For most of us, work doesn't stop when we get home. Weekends give us a chance to take a breather, but what we really need is a stretch of well-earned time off. Since the winter holiday season comes with its own responsibilities and obligations, late summer may be the best time to kick back and recharge our batteries--the kids are back in school and the holiday season hasn't quite started yet. The key to making the most out of your time off is to make it memorable. If you get yourself outside of your comfort zone, you'll feel refreshed and ready to take on whatever challenges work and family life throw at you later on.

Don't be afraid to be adventurous. The best way to make that time count is to make it unforgettable. Being bold enough to try something new always makes for a memorable experience. The great thing about an unforgettable adventure is that it means something different to every guy, whether it involves a foreign country you've always wanted to visit, a mountain you've wanted to climb, or a lake where you've wanted to fish. Quit daydreaming about it. Do it!

Use the time as a chance to hang out with old friends. While you could rummage through well-known websites for cheap hotels, nothing beats staying with a good friend who happens to live in the area. If you have friends in a foreign country or another state, this could be a great opportunity to reconnect with them. Close friendships with people you've lost touch with can be rekindled as they take you on a guided tour of their home turf. Whether you hit the local bars and restaurants, go hiking or see local shows and events, it'll be more fun sharing those experiences together.

Don't be the uninvited guest. Vacationing with an old friend is a great way to mix old memories with new ones, but it's not without its complications. Obviously, you can't just come over unannounced and expect to crash at someone else's house. If you don't want to ruin the friendship you had in the first place, your trip will have to be worked out together well in advance. Also, make sure you won't be imposing, no matter what your friend says. If you know your friend has an extremely busy family life, little space or not enough free time, think twice about your trip. One more thing to consider is that crashing at a friend's house isn't as practical if you're vacationing with the wife.

Spontaneous adventure with your significant other. Spontaneity as a way to fan the flames of a relationship may sound like a stale cliche to most guys out there. For every guy who rolls his eyes, there's another one who knows firsthand the power of a spontaneous adventure. Spending that time off with your girlfriend or wife by doing something completely new can make you feel the way you did when you started dating.

It's OK if things don't go the way you planned. It's easy to worry that you'll make a fool out of yourself in front of her by getting lost in a foreign country or falling on your rear end while mountain biking on a new trail. Realize that those are the same worries you had when you first met her. Putting yourselves in an unfamiliar situation where anything can happen makes you rely on each other in new, exciting ways. If the trip doesn't unfold according to plan, you can both laugh about it later.