Courtesy of Alisa Iskakova
My favorite coming-of-age stories typically revolve around an individual finding entertainment in the mundane. The most pivotal moments are often soundtracked by the things and places that have always existed around you. Suddenly, the familiar roads become cinematic, and the daily routine becomes no longer a burden but an opportunity. Perhaps you have even taken these everyday things for granted. I don’t blame you; I’m guilty of this, too. But maybe it is that first “home from college summer” feeling for me or that I saw Chappell Roan in concert and am forever a changed person. But there is something in the air this summer. Something telling me to look a little closer, to find a deeper meaning, to redefine what a slow hometown summer looks like. So that’s what I’ve been up to. Turning “slow” moments into memories. If you trust the process, these moments can be the most magical.
Beyond Four Walls
I will be the first to admit that I have never been the most outdoorsy person. This summer, however, I became particularly interested in farm life. I’ve even told several people I desperately want to own a truck, a far cry from the Mini Cooper I once longed for. My new love for the outdoors began with a trip to the community gardens in my town, which were once Victory Gardens during World War II. Living in a suburb of Boston, there isn’t much open land; the community gardens, with its rolling hills, chicken coop, and vast greenery, offer a breath of fresh air. It’s easy to think up there, making playing “Wide Open Spaces” by The Chicks feel much more authentic.
Suppose I am not in the garden considering dropping everything, moving to Wyoming, and finally buying that truck. In that case, I can be found running around the parking lot in the town center, the location of my community farmers’ market. Volunteering there for four years is why I am passionate about community cultivation. If you wish to restore some faith in humanity, as many of us need these days, I urge you to visit a local farmers’ market. They run on volunteers, small businesses, and relentless hope.
This summer, I took on the role of running our market’s POP Club program. POP Club, or Power of Produce, is a nationwide movement providing young shoppers three POP Bucks a week. Kids can purchase fruits, vegetables, and other food-producing plants with this money. POP Club allows kids to meet the farmers that grow their food and play an active role in what appears on their dinner table. POP Club is a shining example of the saying, “If you build it, they will come.” When we talk about building community, that vision must include people from all walks of life, including kids, who are often overlooked. POP Club empowers the younger generation to get involved in their community, and they will carry these values into the future if they are exposed to it at a young age. Playing even the smallest role in these kids’ discovery of new things has been a highlight of my hometown summer.
Hidden Gems and Old Favorites
One of my favorite afternoon excursions is to Harvard Square. After a quick bus ride and dodging swarms of campus tours, I arrive at my new favorite, hidden gem. The Attic is a relatively new vintage store on Mass Ave. The Attic describes itself as “curated vintage in the heart of Harvard Square,” and it is indeed every vintage lover’s dream. Trust me, I go almost once a week. After all, I am a woman on a mission. Allow me to elaborate. In the middle of May, I found myself antiquing in Rochester, NY. I came upon a bowl of gaudy, neon statement jewelry. And it was glorious. Brat summer this, Olympic summer that. That afternoon in the antique store was the dawn of my Big Bracelet Summer.
Now, wherever I go, if I see a rather audacious piece of jewelry, I feel almost obligated to buy it. I simply will not rest until people in the next town over can hear the jangling of my bracelets. The beauty of vintage and antique stores is that experimenting with style and fashion doesn’t cost much. Some of my favorite bracelets have been in the $3-$6 range. When your clothing or accessories have a story behind them, some character to them, it adds color to your style. I love never knowing what I will find or having a unique piece that can act as a conversation starter. Plus, reusing and repurposing clothing is always an added bonus.
Speaking of well-loved things, Summer 2024 marks my first time reading Harry Potter. My fashionably late entrance into the magical world of Hogwarts has been an absolute highlight of these warmer months. I was not born into a Harry Potter family, and my mom was so upset that Harry had to live under the stairs that she never got past chapter three. When my friend heard this, she insisted on watching the first movie, and the rest is history. While I am over two decades late to the phenomenon, I firmly believe it is never too late to try. Diving deep into an intricately built world is the perfect distraction from outside worries or distractions. If this were a guide to the perfect slow summer, I would insist that a good book is an absolute necessity.
Well, there you have it—a glimpse into my slow summer. If you’re a college student, I’m sure you will understand how important it is to cherish the few quiet moments before the bustle of the year begins again. Whatever stage you’re in, whether it be jam-packed schedules or afternoons spent lolling in the sunshine, I hope you’re enjoying yourself. I hope you have found a few things that make you smile.
