Maybe it’s just my inner London rebel talking, but there’s something about sweltering heat and still air that feels… oddly euphoric. Give me a sun-scorched pavement, an iced drink, and the kind of book that makes you forget you’re sweating through your top, and I’m thriving. Sure, I’ll glisten (read: sweat), but I won’t complain. Blue skies and oven-level temps? Yes, please.
That said, I know most people would rather crawl into a fridge than face a 30°C day. So, for all my heat-averse besties out there, I’ve rounded up a list of fun, affordable, mildly chaotic things to do this July and August—whether you’re seeking shade or subtly trying to romanticise your summer without melting into a puddle.
1. Sunrise Drives and Sunset Escapes
Too hot to function during the day? Hop in the car, blast the AC, and hit the road just as the sun rises or dips. Think golden-hour glow, windows down, and your most main-character playlist on loop. Stop at a lookout or just sit parked with a snack. Zero effort, maximum vibe.
2. Host a Board Night (No, Not That Kind)
Grab your mates and throw a “board night.” Each person brings their own curated board—be it sweets, crisps, McNuggets, or actual charcuterie. There’s no wrong answer. Make it themed, make it messy, make it Instagrammable. Bonus points if you turn it into a competition for Best Snack Aesthetic™.
3. DIY Your Wardrobe Like It’s Project Runway
Let’s face it—half your wardrobe is silently judging you anyway. Cut those jeans into shorts, crop that shirt you forgot you owned, or turn that never-worn dress into a two-piece. No sewing machine? No problem. Just grab scissors and trust the process.
4. AC + A Five-Star Book = Bliss
Your unread book stack? Now’s the time. Set up camp by the fan, crack open a summer read, and pretend you’re beachside. Fiction, romance, mystery—whatever transports you somewhere cooler (literally or emotionally). Hydration and snacks required.
5. Clean Your Life (Just a Bit)
Okay, hear me out: decluttering can be hot girl summer behaviour. Toss out old stuff, donate clothes, or finally sort that junk drawer you pretend doesn’t exist. Light a candle. Romanticise it. Suddenly, you’re the main character in a home edit reality show.
6. 24-Hour Digital Detox
Scrolling in bed ‘til your eyes burn? We’ve all been there. Try a 24-hour digital detox. No Insta, no TikTok, maybe even no TV. Use the time to journal, bake, draw, or scream into a pillow. Honestly, you might end up liking it. (Terrifying, I know.)
7. Make Playlists Like You’re Scoring a Film
Nothing says emotional regulation like curating playlists for oddly specific moods: “Getting Ready to Serve Looks,” “Crying in Zara”, or “Running Errands Like It’s a Heist.” Music therapy meets main-character syndrome. You get it.
8. Game Night
Invite your people over, crack open a cold drink, and break out the board games. Monopoly? War. Uno? Betrayal. Keep it low-key with pizza or bring a full spread. It’s chaos, but air-conditioned chaos.
9. Get Wet (In the PG Sense)
Water = survival. Whether it’s a pool, a paddling pool, a lake, or a nearby beach, get your swim on. Can’t escape town? A backyard water balloon war or a DIY slip ’n’ slide will do just fine. SPF, hydration, and post-swim snacks are non-negotiables.
10. Movies = Freezer-Level Air Conditioning
Movie theatres: the OG chill zone. Pick the next big blockbuster, grab a popcorn the size of your head, and escape into two hours of cool, dark bliss. Solo date? Power move. Bring a hoodie—those ACs don’t play.
11. Sip, Paint, Repeat
Set up a paint-and-sip night indoors. Whether you’re with friends or flying solo, it’s the ultimate low-effort, high-reward way to stay in and feel cultured. Bonus: you get a piece of art to hang… or stash away forever. We don’t judge.
