Hey everyone! I hope you are having a great day and are staying safe.
It’s weird to think that summer is just around the corner. It feels like this year is just flying by. I’m both looking forward to summer and dreading its arrival. Summer is not one of my favorite seasons, but it does have its perks. So today I wanted to share with you five things I love, and five I hate, about summer. If summer is your favorite season, then that’s great! I’m not at all trying to be a Debbie Downer. So without further ado, let’s get right into it!
Thing I love: Going To The Beach
The best part about summer is going to the beach. The beach is my happy place. I feel calmer and at peace when I have the sand between my toes, the salty air blowing around me, and the sound of the ocean waves. There’s nothing quite like the beach, and I can’t wait to get to go this year.
My favorite things to do at the beach are to go walking in the shallow ocean, draw the landscapes around me, and eat at beachside restaurants. Seafood is one of my favorite things to eat, and when you eat it at the beach, you know it’s going to be fresh.
If you want to know more about my beach adventures, check out this post:
Williamsburg and Virginia Beach Trip 2020- Part One
Thing I Hate: Summer Heat
I don’t like the heat. I don’t like being all sweaty and gross, having to constantly wipe off sweat, and feeling like you can’t get cooled off. I mean, that’s not to say that every summer day is unbearably hot. And the heat can be nice sometimes.
What I don’t like is when I get overheated by barely being outside. If I’m in the heat for too long without anything to help cool me down, I can get really sick to my stomach and light-headed. There are definitely ways to combat that, such as drinking plenty of water, sitting in the shade, wearing sunglasses and hats, etc. But that doesn’t mean it won’t happen. So yeah, the heat is nice, but in smaller doses.
Thing I Love: Summer Drinks And Recipes
I absolutely love summer recipes. There’s nothing better than drinking a nice, cold Pina Colada with some seafood, grilled veggies, and potatoes, or having berry cobblers. We also love to grill during the summer, and some of our favorites include turkey burgers, sausages, portobello mushrooms, potatoes, and pineapples. Grilled pineapple with vanilla ice cream is probably my favorite summer desert, and I’m hoping to get to make that this summer.
Thing I Hate: Summer In The South
If you live in the south, you know exactly what I mean. In North Carolina especially, summer is interesting. You never know what the weather is going to be like from day to day. One day it will be in the eighties, the next in the sixties, and then storming all weekend. Summer for us also means tornado and hurricane season, which is incredibly stressful for me. And let’s not get started on summer mosquitoes and humidity…
But at the same time, it also means picnics, summer salads, sweet tea, and beach trips, so it’s not all bad.
Thing I Love: Summer Events
This item might be a little different this year, but normally, summer brings with it fun activities and events. I know for me, I’m looking forward to seeing the nearby sunflower field that’s open each summer. I also can’t wait for the summer art exhibitions at our local art museums. There may be more events available as time goes on, and if I try any, I’ll make sure to let you know!
If you want to see what fun things are available in your area this summer, go online and check out a travel website, a local company or the cities website, and even ask your friends and family. And summer fun doesn’t have to mean a big production, it can be as simple as getting a summer flavored coffee or ice cream! Whatever your summer plans are, make sure you are still staying safe, and to have fun!
Thing I Hate: The Summer Clothing Debacle
Again, our weather is pretty unpredictable, so picking out summer outfits isn’t easy. And then when you add in that amazing feature of dealing with a thyroid problem, that of either getting super hot or super cold (there is no in between), it get’s even harder. I’m also having a problem with finding clothing that doesn’t immediately fall right off. Like I literally just bought new jeans and shirts, and they are already too big. If anyone has any tips for finding comfortable, affordable, and semi cute plus size clothing, please let me know.
I do love summer fashion, however. I absolutely love wearing cute shorts and a tank top or sleeveless top. I also love summer prints and colors, especially since pink is one of my favorite colors and is featured on a bunch of summer items. It just can be a struggle sometimes, but I still love the styles that come with it.
Thing I Love: Getting To Be Outside
Even though it can be hot, I love to be able to get outside and be in nature. It’s actually been proven that being out in the sun can help with easing depression, and that spending time in nature can help curb ADHD symptoms. So when the weather is nicer, I like to take advantage of it as much as possible. There is absolutely nothing better than being out in nature, wether that be in the backyard, the beach, or on a nature trail.
Thing I Hate: Dealing With Bad Weather Days
With summer comes a lot of rain storms. So it can be hard having to deal with that. I also tend to get extremely bored on those rainy days. They can effect your mood, and can bring you down a bit. So it’s not just having to put up with bad weather, it’s also the mood changes and the boredom that comes with it.
I’ve actually found some things that have been helpful In dealing with those days. Even though it isn’t winter, the tips in my Winter Self Care Workbook can still be applied to summer. I also have some previous posts on dealing with long days or boredom. Here are a few:
Thing I Love: Summer DIYS And Projects
Summer often means more time off from work or school, or just a chance to get out and do the things you’ve been putting off. I love making new projects and DIYs during the summer. I actually have a few ideas that I want to try, such as Tie Dye-ing, making friendship bracelets, and redecorating my rooms a bit. I’ve also been enjoying growing an herb garden on our back porch. There are so many fun ideas of things you could make this summer. If you’d be interested in a post all about some summer DIYs, let me know in the comments!
Thing I Hate: The Summer Brightness
As I have mentioned before on the blog, I have low vision. This effects every aspect of my daily life, but it is especially hard for me in the summer. I have Rod Cone Dystrophy, which means that the rods and cones in my eyes are disappearing. This effects the way I take in brightness, and I am night blind as well. So when it is super bright outside, I can’t see. I’m like a deer in the headlights, and it’s not a fun experience. I’ve learned how to navigate it, but it can still be a challenge depending on HOW bright it gets.
The good thing about summer is that the sun is out longer, meaning that it normally doesn’t get dark until I’m back home. This is a HUGE plus for me, and so I’ll take what I can get.
And that’s the end of the list! Thanks so much for reading. I have some fun stuff planned this month, especially for me email subscribers, so make sure you are on The Confused Craftgirl’s mailing list!
What do you love or hate about summer? Would you be interesting in a post about summer DIYs? Let me know in the comments!
Until next time 🙂
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