Things have been a little hard for me lately. Not for any big reason, I guess I let a lot of little things get to me and those little things started adding up after awhile. I try not to focus on the negative, I've learned to move past that stuff quickly — keeping my anxiety and depression in check requires that kind of action. It's crazy how small moments of negativity can grow and consume you if you let them.
A certain summertime sadness overcame me recently. Summer often leaves me feeling trapped indoors, lethargic, and anxious. I'm sure it has something to do with the heat and lot to do with my mental state during this season. As a result, I've been really neglecting the creative side of me (and my life). At some point, all that energy I was putting in to feeling bad about myself and my circumstances was so overpowering that there was nothing left to put into creating — and other things of enjoyment. But, I'm now trying to make a real effort to find ways through this summer sadness phenomenon. I'm making time for what I love and treating myself as I deserve.
Scroll down to see some pretty summer inspiration I've collected that represents some of my current thoughts, feelings, and desires.
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Eating / lots of fresh fruit and veggies, especially avocado and cucumber.
Drinking / water, always, and a chamomile tea blend before bed.
Wearing / my favorite jeans + chambray + reading glasses.
Listening / to Gayngs on repeat today. Also, Radiation City. Good summer jams.
Podcasting / I've been loving 99% Invisible a lot lately — great stories!
Watching / the final season of House.
Feeling / a little sleepy.
Reading / nothing (I know!), but I'm heading to the library this weekend.
Practicing / patience, persistence, and kindness.
Dreaming / of moving to BC or the Washington coast!
Wanting / some mountain adventures ♥︎
Remembering / our first summer together and trips along the St Joe River.
Wishing / I had the money for more tattoos!
Planning / changes to this blog and ways to pretty up my patio.
Making / a woven wall hanging with pretty vintage yarn.
Working / a lot less than I'd like.
Learning / to take things as they come.
Loving / my little family and our lovely apartment ♥︎
Inspired by Latrina, Of Trees and Hues.
What summery things have you been enjoying lately?
Any advice on how to enjoy the summer (for someone who considers this the worst time of year)?
xx Emorie
love that tattoo! I've been hiding inside same as you. It has been in the 90s here and every time I go outside I just want to go to sleep. The heat makes me sleepy.
ReplyDeleteAdvice on how to enjoy? Limit your time outside to very early morning and late afternoon! Maybe look up some remedies online to what you are dealing with? (I have no idea but you've probably already done that) I mean, other people have to suffer from this too! Maybe they've written about it?
I wish you joy. And peace.
Minnesota is a month behind schedule. It's been extremely rainy here for the last few weeks. I'm sure the hot heat will come soon, and with it the lethargy that you're experiencing. I feel like everyone's pace just slows down to a halt in the summertime. Take care of yourself friend!
ReplyDeleteHere in California we hit the 80's at least once a month. It gets horribly hot with all the humidity and heat waves through L.A., but I hail from Texas so it's not quite as bad in comparison.
ReplyDeleteLike @Carolynn mentioned, going out in the early morning and evening is always the best. You can take this time to wear all kinds of cotton and lace outfits, which is a fashion / staying cool win win. You can go swimming more often, and have more adventures in the water! Since it's so warm during the day and not so cold at night, this is prime time for late night stargazing. I personally like staying out late to watch for fireflies. If you get too unbearably hot, jumping in a bathing suit (or not) and having an extremely cold water fight in the shower with, oh, Will maybe, might be a fun way to cool off. If you still want to go hiking during the day, get a spray bottle. You can fill it up with green tea and put it in the freezer or the fridge until it's really cold. Take it out with you and mist your face and the back of your neck as you hike. It's wonderful, I promise. You might want something to help insulate the bottle, though.
There are all kinds of ways to have fun while keeping cool in the summer. Remember, if you're locked inside all the time no one can see you, so have some silly fun. :)
So sorry to hear of your summer sadness, Emorie! But so happy my post inspired you to write your own, so wonderful! And I can only imagine how it must've brighten your spirits. :) It's so good for us to reflect every once in a while and pay attention to ourselves. I loved your list!
ReplyDeleteSummer is my favorite! I'm bummed that it's so hot there that you can't enjoy yourself. Do you have access to a pool? Or better yet, a lake or stream. Any little spot you can soak up some sun all while being cool from the water. Road trips are my FAVORITE summer pastime! And it's cheap. Pack a lunch and just drive to some place new. :) Windows down, the wind will cool you off!
xoxo
Hope things get better for you, summer is beautiful if you can just find things to do that you love!
What I love about you, is that you recognize what's going on with you, and you begin to take care of yourself as needed. Something I am totally working on, and not really getting the hang of. I may have to write a post like this myself, just to sort of get in tune with myself and figure out what's going on with me. Anyways, I would say, try to embrace the outdoors and free time a little bit more. Once you pick up more shifts at work, you may find yourself wishing you had used some of that free time. Attempt some fun summer dessert recipes. Go on a picnic with Will. Go to the local pool and take a nice, cool dip. Paint your toes a ravishing shade of pink because summer nail colors are so much fun! Even tho I love all seasons, summer is also my least favorite. But, I find ways to embrace it, because each season has its little unique blessings that no other season has to offer.
ReplyDeleteIt's been in the 90s here too. It's crazy how exhausting the heat can be! I got some good hiking in this weekend though, early Sunday morning. So lovely!
ReplyDeleteI was born in Texas and have visited several times — Texas heat is on a totally different level that I find unbearable, haha. I love the green tea spray bottle idea! Growing up we didn't have AC in our house, and every summer night my dad would make rounds all night to the kids and give us sprays of water to help us stay cool while we slept — it really worked! And holy cow, I have the best dad ♥︎
ReplyDeleteI wish we had fireflies here!
Thanks for all of your suggestions, dear!
Thanks Latrina ♥︎
ReplyDeleteI'm a big baby and can't stand anything above 75, haha. My body hates it, and any amount of time in the heat turns my body (especially my face) bright red — even if I'm not sweating or getting sun burnt. Silly body.
I'll have some opportunities for camping later this summer and I can't wait! In the mean time, I'm trying to go hiking in the early mornings a few times a week.
Thanks dear, you are so sweet. And these are all lovely suggestions! I made some homemade frozen yogurt the other day — which was delicious. Now I want to get some popsicle molds!
ReplyDeleteI have an unexpected day off today, so I'm going to get some housework done, enjoy some time outside, and I'm totally going to paint my toenails pink now :)
Rainy sounds so lovely right now! It got so dry and hot here early this year; there are already quite a few wildfires near by, which is awful and scary and bad for the air in this valley. Send some rain my way, please :)
ReplyDelete