Beach Musings

Over the last month I have been to the beach 3 times (Wells, ME).

On the last occasion, I amused myself with some thoughts I wanted to share!

• My idea of a beach day: pay for 3, and only 3, hours. The first hour is dedicated to using the bathroom, picking a spot, getting a walk over with, and looking at my phone. The next 1.5 hours are for reading, people watching, closing eyes, drinking water, maybe a snack or word searches, and more phone usage. The last half hour is for walking back to my car, using the bathroom, wiping as much sand off as possible. By the time 3 hours are up I'm over the sun and sand, and I feel productive yet relaxed. 

• Even if I walk slower on the beach, I walk a longer distance, and sand is harder to walk in over pavement, so it evens out compared to a faster walk on pavement. I walked over 4 miles in one weekend and my legs were sore!

  
  

• Some people leisurely walk, some do yoga, some play games, some jog... All are forms of movement. Some people would say the games or leisurely walk isn't a workout, but why not? Maybe YOU need higher intensity but some of us have desk jobs and are morbidly obese so ANY kind of movement is exercise for us. 

• Reasons why I hate summer: we were conditioned for 13+ years that it was the period of relaxation. We had little responsibility - even if we had jobs in high school or college they weren't ones that we were super dedicated to, so we could still have fun the night before etc. Now we have to work 40+ hours a week and pay bills. When I worked in sterile processing I was in a basement during second shift, so it didn't matter the time of year- I went in during the day and left at night time. I care more about being comfortable. Anytime it's over 75* I sweat. Do I want to eat outside? 99% of the time it's an absolutely not, especially if there's no shade because I burn in 5 minutes. At least when it's cooler out and it's sunny there's less of a chance I'm leaving sweat marks on the chair. Also, summer = bugs. That's no fun. Sure I can put on big spray but if I'm eating outside they fly on and around the food, ew! So, what's the best time of year? Some like winter because they ski or something similar. I appreciate the snow more than I did in my 20s because I've learned to be a more confident driver, but that's just it. We have to drive to work unless you're in education or have an office manager who cares and closes the office. Spring means pollen, so increased allergies (itchy eyes, congestion so clearing of throight and blowing nose). The beginning of fall is still summer weather, but October and November are. The. Best! Temps are cooler but not cold. Bugs go away. Cork mazes, pumpkin patches, apple picking, apple cider and donuts. Craft fairs. Soup season starts. Foliage. Jumping in leaves. People say oh but winter comes next. Just enjoy the now! It comes every year so why are you going to take the joy of fall away. And for those who suffer from seasonal depression, find something that works for you when you know it sets in. Go to therapy. Take or increase antidepressants. I'm one of the few who feel more miserable in the summer and also my brain is just permanently depressed, so I'm taking those meds all year round 😆Seriously... Is it fall yet?!