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Summer Flings—How To Do Them Right: Five Tips for the Perfect Summer Romance
By Chloe Orlando
Summer 2009
Now that you finally have a well-deserved break from papers and problem sets, it's time you really let loose and make the most of your summer months! And what better way to do so than to find yourself the ultimate summer fling? Whether you have a job or internship, are traveling abroad, or are just lounging on the beach and indulging in the gorgeous weather, follow these five tips for a perfect summer romance!
Don't take things too seriously.
The ultimate goal of a summer fling is to have tons of fun and absolutely no worries! That means no dreaded relationship talks, no unnecessary fighting, and no agonizing about what your man is doing at every second of the day. With a summer fling, you should break free from the typical relationship mindset. Embrace the freedom that summer offers and escape the pressures of an ordinary relationship.
Be adventurous.
The days are longer and the weather is warmer! There is no excuse for not getting involved in some bold and wild adventures! Take advantage of exciting outdoorsy activities. Go surfing on the beach, rollerblading, rock climbing, bike riding, or water skiing. Challenge both you and your summer fling to take on things that neither of you have ever tried. The thrill of experimenting together will spike up the chemistry between you and your man.
Explore what works for you.
Use your summer fling as a means of exploring what does and does not work in a relationship for you. Think of the summer as an experimental period—a short few months for you to become more aware of both yourself and what you value and appreciate in a guy. This will be a great learning experience and will provide you with insight that you can use if you decide to transition back into the dating world come the fall.
Don't be afraid to speed things up.
Look at it this way: you have less than three months (if that!) to make the most of your precious time with that gorgeous hottie you just met at the beach. This is not a marriage about to happen. With a summer fling, it's perfectly okay to throw the typical relationship time-scale out the window. Don't be afraid to fast-forward the whole "dating procedure," as long as both you and your man are completely comfortable with doing so.
Open up. Communication is key.
Just because you know the summer will eventually come to an end, don't let this keep you from investing any emotional energy into your summer fling. Don't be afraid to open up and really get to know your new man. Make the most of your time together; it never hurts to have an extra friend. Finally, make sure both you and your summer fling are on the same page. If you're studying abroad in Barcelona in the fall, don't lead him on and have him thinking you'll be around.
