I started work, class, sleep, repeat schedule a couple of weeks ago at which point I figured all fun activities would cease to exist. I try to be realistic with myself as much as possible so I had gotten it in my brain that life would be, for the time being, all work and no play. Let me tell you - I require a fair amount of play to maintain my sanity.
Within three days of committing myself to that schedule, I found myself driving out to LI in search of an adventure. It just so turned out that my travel buddy was back in New York for the weekend. I spent the better part of Saturday in her parents’ backyard making a fool of myself while playing around with a GoPro. And it was glorious.
I realize that this lifestyle adjustment has just started and maybe some people (myself included at times) would view it as a bad sign that I am already escaping but I have decided to place it in the category of self-care. There really isn’t a substitute for good people and the great outdoors, even when that outdoors is just a backyard swimming pool.
It’s so easy to feel guilty about not spending every minute of every day being productive. I know this is especially true in NYC but my guess is that it rings true in most places. We all love to inform each other of the various plates we’re spinning and I think there’s some sick sense of satisfaction with a fully booked schedule. We get warped into this mindset of regurgitating the weekly to do lists and our conversations turn into repeating mostly the facts of one’s life rather than the thoughts and feelings that go along with it. Don’t get me wrong - I think there is value in sharing both aspects of one’s life. It’s part of how we relate to one another but when I allow myself to go down the rabbit hole of judging myself by what’s written on my CV, it’s a dangerous place and frankly not a very happy one. And to be completely honest, it leads to a place of judging others as well because if I am managing all the crazy in my life why can’t you get all of your stuff together? That’s not only unfair but also mean and I would really rather not be a jerk.
With all this in mind, I am embracing my wandering spirit and taking the time for breaks and reprieve. There’s value in not taking oneself too seriously, at least there is for me, so I am going to focus on pursuing that and worry less about the never-ending list of checkboxes. Besides which summer time is one of the best times and I need to make sure I get my fill of salt air in my lungs and dirt under my feet.
notes:
- fire island is one of my happy places. to insert yourself into the beachy pics, take the lirr to patchogue and hop on a ferry to either watch hill or davis park. you can walk to the ferry terminal from the train station or one of the cabbies there would be happy to give you a ride.
- if you enjoy water-based shenanigans as much as i do, i recommend picking up a gopro. and by picking one up, i mean saving your pennies because these things are pretty pricey but oh so worth it.
- disclaimer: don’t worry mom, i am still getting my schoolwork done and fulfilling my job responsibilities.