Summer Loves as a Summer Hater
I suppose there are a few things to enjoy about summer. Not a lot. But a few.
I despise summer, not in a “This isn’t my favorite season” type of way but in a genuine loathing type of way. As soon as the temperature crosses the 75°F (24°C), I count down the days to Autumn. I have curly hair, run hot, and have pale skin. Summer is utterly miserable for me. I wish I could love and enjoy Summer, but it’s just not for me.
With that being said, I also can’t stand when Halloween and Pumpkin Spice everything pops up everywhere in August. I want to truly enjoy it and all its glory, not step outside to blazing heat and suffocating humidity only to be reminded it’s not Autumn yet. So as Pumpkin Spice and Pumpkin Reeses make there way onto shelves, here are a few things I take for granted during summer.
Wearing Shorts
I would wear shorts year round if I could. Don’t get me wrong, I love jeans, but the ease of shorts is unmatched. Nothing restricting my legs, easy to throw on, and comfortable. Even in the winter, I will wear shorts every second I can, but being able to walk outside without changing into full length pants is lovely. Waking up & throwing on a pair of shorts to take a short walk? Incredible. Need to run the dog outside? No need to change into a snowsuit.
Stone Fruits & Berries
My love and joy. My favorite foods. Peaches, Figs, Plum, Cherries, you name it. I love them all. I know you can get some of these year round in some places, but in the midwest, when they are out of season, they are terrible. I eat blueberries by the handfuls everytime I pass them. Peach Caprese Salad with at least one meal almost daily (shout out to fresh tomatoes during summer too). Fresh apricot jam on toast is my love language. Growing up with Irish/Eastern European grandparents, there is only so much potato/stew/soup/goulash/etc. I can take. Every. single. year. I forget how excited I get to see fresh crates of peaches, “Blueberry Picking Here!” signs, gorgeous, deep red cherries at fruit stands, and the smell of apricots simmering on the stove. I could be biased, but stone fruits and berries are so versatile and easy to work with.
Earlier Sunrises
I am an early riser. Having the sun shining when I start my day is a little thing I take for granted every summer. As it’s starting to rise later in the morning now that we’re moving into August, I am already dreading the pitch-black morning. I love a good sunrise, and to be able to enjoy said sunrise before I am tied to work is my favorite way to start my day. Not to mention, I don’t have to wait for it to be light enough to run or walk in the morning during summer which saves me time on busy days.
Morning Walks
This goes hand-in-hand with earlier sunrises, but being able to walk as the sun rises is so peaceful. I love seeing people walking their dogs, going for a jog, or walking with a loved one. It truly brings me joy to see people also enjoying the sunrise and quietness of early mornings. On top of this, it is so nice out when the sun is first rising and hasn’t had time to heat up the day. I love being able to stroll shortly after waking without looking like the Michelin Man.
Patio Seating
Take this with a grain of salt because I refuse to be sweating while I enjoy a meal for the sake of sitting outside, but every second I can sit outside without melting, I take it. I love to grab a coffee & pastry and sit outside the cafe at a small table to people watch. I will rarely turn down sitting on the deck of a lakeside restaurant. There is just something about sitting outside that makes whatever I am enjoying 10x better. The open space, a nice breeze, the sounds of summer joy, it’s enjoyable to me.
Fresh Flowers
Much to my allerigies’ dismay, I keep flowers in my apartment nearly all summer. Fresh flowers from the farmer’s market = self-care. Lupin, Dahlias, and Cosmos are some of my absolute favorites that seem to peak when summer is the most dreadful. Go figure. It’s like a tiny bit of joy when the sun is baking me alive. Yes, there are flowers year round, but it’s just not the same as the variety during the summer.
S’mores & Ice Cream
I love a little sweet treat once in awhile, but have never had a huge sweet tooth. That is until the first warm night rolls around and suddenly I feel like I may die if I don’t get my hands on a s’more or ice cream cone. I can’t smell the first bonfire without thinking about eating enough s’mores to turn me into one. And don’t even get me started on ice cream. Maybe it’s the nostalgia of childhood or simply a good way to cool down, but something about treating ourselves with a melting cone of ice cream after dinner make Summer Summer.
Driving with Windows Down
The breeze rolling through the windows. Music loud. Hand windsurfing out the window. Summer is the only time I get to enjoy these feelings to their full capacity. I dont’ have to worry about getting too cold or rain or snow. I can just simply be and enjoy fresh air on my drives.
Diving into Water
I will preface this by saying, I hate seaweed touching me, not being able to see what’s under me, and having to layer on sunscreen. But you know what I do love? Jumping off a boat or dock or rope and feeling that rush of cold water to cool me off on a summer day. It’s fun and it’s refreshing and honestly it feels like, just for a moment, I can be a kid again with no worries.
Summer you could never make me love you. I must admit though, there are a few things about you I do love, and the more I think about it, the more things I can think of. I will forever be an Autumn girly waiting for the perfect moment to break out my sweaters, dark-academia aesthetic, and cozy baked goods and that will never change.
But for now, I will take a moment to enjoy summer and what it has to offer before I rush into the next season of the year and season of life.
Let July be July
Let August be August
And let yourself be
Even in the uncertainty
You don’t have to fix everything
You don’t have to solve everything
And you can still find peace and grow
In the wild of changing things
~Morgan Harper Nichols
Enjoy the sun while it is still here. Enjoy the beauty of life while it is still in bloom. And take the moment to simply be.
Fall will still be waiting for you when you are done.
What a lovely read. I hate summer for the same reasons as you, but this reminds me that there are the little things i enjoy and I wont take it for granted again.
“Having the sun shining when I start my day is a little thing I take for granted every summer. As it’s starting to rise later in the morning now that we’re moving into August, I am already dreading the pitch-black morning.” yes!
Whoa, this piece is stunning! I feel like it reflects my own experiences. I'm on your list now.