7 Ways to Celebrate Where You Live – For those of us who live in the United States, the Fourth of July is when we really lean into the pride of being American; we deck ourselves out in star spangled clothing, make an effort to spend time outside with friends and family, and set up chairs to watch fireworks or light shows. Though the Fourth (and the days off from work surrounding it) are special, why not use this month as an opportunity to celebrate your town, city, or state?
Why is this important? Without even consciously realizing it, many of us get so comfortable with our routines that we simply go through the motions. We drive the same route on the way to work each day, shop at the same grocery store, and visit the same restaurants when we decide to go out for a meal. Regardless of whether you live in a rural community or a bustling urban area, there is so much richness to be experienced on the periphery of your daily routine. You may already think you love where you live, but intentionally making an effort to explore might give you a completely different perspective on why you continue to live where you do.
1. Go to a local festival. Whether it’s the Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, New Mexico or “Cheeseburger in Caseville” (a Jimmy Buffet-themed celebration) in Michigan, there is no shortage of entertaining local events to be visited. Do a bit of research and find something outside the box… the story will be worth it!
2. Attend a sporting event. Unless you have children who participate in team sports during the school year, most of us default to attending professional or collegiate athletic events. Time to change that! Grab a group of friends and buy tickets to a local baseball game or tennis match. Better yet, join a recreational league for a sport you love and get out on the field yourself. This can be a great way to feel more connected to your community while working on your tan at the same time!
3. Volunteer at a local charity. We all know the names of the largest national nonprofits, but do you have the same awareness of the local organizations that are providing critical community support? Call your town council or ask around for recommendations on who needs volunteers. You don’t have to commit forever; perhaps you sign up to help just one weekend a month or even just during the organization’s busiest times of the year. A bonus is that you will meet other people who live in your area, which could lead to some great new friendships.
4. Go on a walking tour of your town or city. Many of us think about going on guided tours when we travel, but doing one where we live might not be an obvious idea. This can be one of the best ways to learn more about where you call home and develop a greater appreciation for its history. Even if you live in a small town, there may be a historical society that runs tours or at least has passionate staff members you could schedule time with. You’ll start to look at your area with a whole new perspective.
5. Do a restaurant crawl to try new dining spots. Let’s say there are four new restaurants you want to try in your town. If you go to even one per week, it would take a month to experience them all. What if you could visit all four in one day? A restaurant crawl is a great way to do this. Map a route and devise a plan for where you will get an appetizer, main course, dessert, and drink. If there are more venues on your list, you could do the same thing for lunch and dinner. While you of course won’t be able to make it through the whole menu at each, this is such a fun way to try out different spots in your town.
6. Make an effort to meet new people. Particularly if you’ve lived in the same place for a while, it’s easy to get stuck in a rut of doing things with the same group of people. There’s nothing inherently wrong with this – it’s amazing to have strong friendships! Still, think about all the people you pass by on a daily basis. Wouldn’t it be great to at least have a cordial relationship with them? Strike up a conversation with your local grocer. Go to the library and the librarian for a recommendation of a book that they love. Make an effort to learn people’s names so you can greet them warmly – you’ll be surprised how connected it makes you feel.
7. Celebrate a favorite local business. Whether it’s your favorite ice cream shop, dry cleaner, or convenience store, make an effort to show appreciation for your local business owners. Stop in and leave a thank you card or even a sweet treat. Running a small business is difficult, thankless, and often stressful. By expressing your admiration you just might make someone’s day.
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