If you are looking around and everyone is living their "best life" sailing on yachts, toasting at sunset rooftops, and looking like they just stepped out of a rom-com. And here I am, sitting on my balcony with a lukewarm iced coffee, watching a pigeon eye my fries, and trying to convince myself that my sweat is just "glow."
It’s easy to feel like you’re doing summer wrong if you aren't constantly happy. We’re sold this idea that the long days and warm nights are supposed to cure all our sadness. But the truth is, the sun doesn’t always reach the shadows in our minds. Sometimes, even when the weather is perfect, our mood is a little… cloudy.
But here is what I’m learning this summer:
Summer isn't about performing joy. It’s about finding small pockets of it, even when your heart feels heavy.
Maybe you had a rough week. Maybe a relationship didn't work out, or you’re just feeling lost in the noise of it all. I get it. I’ve been there. This summer hasn't been all sunshine and rainbows for me either.
However, I’ve made a pact with myself. I am going to choose to savor the tiny, fleeting moments, regardless of my mood.
Three ways I’m trying to enjoy summer even when I’m in a funk:
1. Let the silence be enough.
I used to think I had to be out at a party to "enjoy" summer. Now, I find peace in just existing. I’m sitting in the park, just feeling the breeze on my skin. It’s okay to be a little solitary in a crowded world. The sun is shining for you, not at you.
2. Find the "Bittersweet" beauty.
Summer tastes like watermelon, smells like sunscreen, and sounds like the ice cream truck jingle. It’s also the season of nostalgia. I’m allowing myself to feel the sadness of the past while simultaneously feeling the warmth of the present. You can be sad and still enjoy the sunset. You don’t have to pick one.
3. Slow down.
Society tells us summer is for "grinding" and "hustling." I say, summer is for "feeling." Whether that’s watching the clouds roll by or just taking a deep breath before a stressful meeting. I’m trying to move at my own pace. If I’m sad, I’ll let myself be sad but I’ll do it while sitting in the grass, reminding myself that the world is still spinning.
So, to the person reading this on a dating app:
If we match, don't expect me to be a ray of sunshine 24/7. I’m looking for someone who understands that life is a mix of rain and shine. Someone who is okay with a quiet night in during a thunderstorm, or a lazy day by the pool where we don't say much but just exist together.
Summer is fleeting. But so are our bad moods.
Let’s not waste this season waiting to feel "better." Let's feel it all. The heat, the sweat, the tears, the laughter. Because the moment we start appreciating the small things like the warmth of the sun on our shoulders we realize that this heavy heart isn't a burden; it's just proof that we are alive.
Here’s to messy hair, messy feelings, and making the most of the sunshine, one deep breath at a time.
Who else is feeling this today? 🌞