As someone who regularly attends concerts over the summer or throughout the year, I’ll spend a pretty penny to see my favorite bands and artists. Whether it means saving up internship money, working another part-time job, or babysitting as many hours as I could– going to concerts is one of the things I loved the most.

I’m not one for big rowdy crowds. Lollapalooza was something I could tolerate when I was younger. The older I get, the less I cared about being up close to the stage. Dealing with the shoving, possible dehydration, and being packed in a crowd like a can of sardines isn’t desirable for me. Smaller concerts with general admission seating and standing space or even arena shows were my favorites. 

With every concert I had purchased tickets for this summer being postponed until next year, it makes me think: How will this change concerts?

Since I don’t have that answer, I think that they’ll have far less people for seated concerts. For general admission shows, I don’t think they’re going to allow as many people in the pit as usual.

I also think that artists aren’t going to tour as much as they normally would. Some artists are used to touring back to back and spend so much time on tour. 

At the rate of things now, I think festivals will take a step back, too. There are the major festivals such as Coachella and Lollapalooza, but I think the smaller ones won’t happen as often either.

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Gyms reopening are considered high-risk during COVID-19. The gym I go to reopened with spaced out equipment, constant cleanings, and less people allowed in the gym at once.

I contemplated reactivating my membership for a few days. I used to run outside every morning without any issue, but Chicago’s temperatures have been climbing throughout these summer months and 90-degree weather isn’t something I could comfortably run in. I’d even wear a mask inside the gym if it meant going back.

I decided not to out of fear and anxiety of getting sick and it turns out that someone at that gym was infected, so the gym had to close for a day.

What I’ve done instead of going back is invest in equipment of my own.

I can’t afford to shell out almost $3,000 for a Peloton. Even if I could, they’re on backorder until November. I guess everyone had the same idea during quarantine, huh?

What I did instead was invest in a $300 indoor bike from Amazon. It was a hassle to put together, but it works just as well as one at the gym. I’ve also invested in a new yoga mat and some light weights to lift a bit.

Not everyone has this option as money could be tight, but here are some ways to get your workout in:

1. Outdoors: Biking, running, walking, hiking, you name it. Any of those burn calories and being outside puts you at less risk.

2. Build a home gym: You don’t need to go all out and buy a Peloton and recreate the gym you used to go to, but buying some cheaper equipment or gently used equipment could help.

3. Workout videos: I know some people swear by Chloe Ting and Fitness Blender videos, all you need is something to log onto YouTube with and you’re good to go.

“Fast fashion” is a term that not everyone is familiar with. It’s basically anything one could get at a mall for a reasonable price– so just about every store the average consumer could afford: H&M, Zara, Forever 21, Urban Outfitters, Gap, and so many more.

These brands are under scrutiny because their practices aren’t always sustainable. According to Phys.org, 1.5 trillion liters of water are consumed with chemicals every year due to fast fashion. With that being said, the common question is why can’t everyone afford sustainable fashion.

Sustainable fashion often costs more money than fast fashion. It’s easy for one to think we could all switch over, but when it comes to other expenses in life, that switch isn’t 100% doable for anyone. 

It’s elitist to think that everyone could afford a sustainable crewneck that’s going to cost $70 as opposed to one that’s only $30.

Thrifting is an option as well, but that’s something that comes with luck. Not every thrift store will have your size or style in decent condition.

Here are some ways you could minimize your use of fast fashion:

1. Thrift when possible: Again, it’s not always possible to find exactly what you’re looking for, but it’s a good idea to check.

2. Buy what you need: I’m not really a shopaholic. I buy maybe one to two new pieces of clothing every month or two, but that’s stuff I need. This summer, I was lacking on jean shorts so I ordered two new pairs. After that, I didn’t buy stuff just because I could.

3. Contribute to reducing your carbon footprint in other ways: Whether you’re using a metal straw or limiting your use of plastic, every little bit helps.

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