How​​-To: have a screen-less summer

As screens begin to consume every square inch of our lives such as our cars, watches and even vapes lol, it's hard to escape an infiltration so consuming. Instead of wasting away a beautiful day this summer, find pleasure beyond the technological shackles and take a deep breath.

XSTSY MEDIA compiled a list of screen-less activities to partake in that can help with the detachment to our everyday stressors.

This list does consider Los Angeles County only, however, research is easy for roaming your own area with specific tags in your search.

Now that festival season is ramping up hotter than the spring’s major ones, expensive trips to the desert are not necessary. There are plenty of free shows in Los Angeles during the day or night.

Artist and composer, Geller, hosts free synth shows throughout Los Angeles County where groups of friends attend and indulge in a fancy charcuterie picnic as ambient synthesizers illuminate everyone’s spirit.

Geller’s events titled “Public Sounds” are typically in support of non-profit organizations raising various awareness.

Besides Geller, there are plenty of other independent artists to support during tough industry times. The fun part is the treasure hunt to find these artists. Luckily social media is there to help. But once you find it… put the phone back down haha.

Jazz nights at the Los Angeles County Museum of Arts return until October. Every Friday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., you can enjoy live jazz music with a blanket and a picnic or B.Y.O.B and relax. If you are also a L.A. County resident, you can get into the museum for free after 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, so you can enjoy a pre-concert look around.

My friends and I are big on mixing our own tracks and having our own dance parties. Now this slightly involves a screen with the mixer and laptop but the hypnotization of it is not at all even closely related to doomscrolling. If you have a small generator or can find a public outlet, setting up in the park is an extension to the fun by setting the scene. But in your home, it is just as fun.

Before having my driver’s license and living in a small and walkable town, I always took the opportunity to find a cool spot near my house or along a hiking trail to….. Ya know….. Sit and chill. Typically up near a waterfall or in a graffitied storm drain.

Exploring those hidden gems of the town you currently live in and may think there are no secret lookout spots around, is surprisingly fun especially with a group of friends.

In general, just get outside and explore your local trails. Maybe you find a tire swing or a nice creek to dip your feet in.

If you or your friends have the accessibility to host a cute backyard dinner party, cooking a dish either separately or in the same kitchen would be an inexpensive and bonding activity.

If you are of legal drinking age, a cocktail night can replace the dinner and everyone mixes up a creation of their own.

And if you are underage or sober, mocktails are just as fun to create together.

To add on to this activity, creating a shared or collaborative playlist everyone adds songs to, enhances the memories you are creating.

You may think you can never outrun technology but if you walk the other way and embrace the art and beauty of the world before technology, I think you will have a much more fulfilling summer and overall quality of life.

Editor-in-Chief, Sarah Van Buskirk can be reached at bysarahvanbuskirk@gmail.com.