Being British we like to talk about the weather! We particularly like to talk about the weather in the summer and normally, the lack of sunshine. Probably starts from just after the Easter holidays when we start thinking about the amount of sun we are due, what we are going to do with the sunny summer days, and how much we are looking forward to longer days and lighter evenings.
Inevitably and more often than not, we don’t quite get the weather that we wish for. I have to admit that as much as I love summer which I do, it’s not my favourite season of the year so I’m never particularly fussed about it, although like everybody else, I enjoy the sunshine, I enjoy not having to put on a coat every time I walk out my front door and I certainly enjoy the lighter evenings.
Now this is going to sound odd but you’re probably used to that by now, but one of the things I’ve struggled with throughout my adult life in the summer months is guilt. What do I mean by that? It’s when you get several weeks of dry weather possibly even sunny weather where the days are long, we have light evenings and the opportunities seem great. After my working day I usually walk my dog and notice all the people that are making their way out to enjoy the sunny evenings clutching beach towels, swimming costumes, barbecues or even just off out to have a drink or a meal somewhere and I feel guilty. I feel guilty because I feel I “should” (and you know I hate the word should) be making the most of the dry weather, the long evenings and being outdoors, instead of which I’m usually knackered want to go home cook some dinner, wind down for the evening and probably have an early night.
Some of this stems from living in a seaside town where you are very conscious of visitors who are here on holiday and therefore don’t have the usual pressures or things to do – they are not having to work or think about getting the washing done or giving the house a quick dust.
It’s all quite ridiculous I’m sure, but I think that because we live somewhere where sunny days are so precious we feel we have to make the most of them and it can put a lot of pressure on us – I know it’s not just me because I’ve had this conversation with others, I know people feel torn between getting outside and doing something, making the most of it but at the same time there is normal life that they need to keep on top of and we create unnecessary pressure for ourselves.
This is where rainy summer days are to be embraced (note I haven’t said enjoyed as I appreciate that we have enough rainy days in the UK) they can be somewhat of a relief if you allow them to be.
When I know a rainy day is coming along during a period of sunshine it almost gives me permission to go out and enjoy the sunshine more knowing that in a couple of day’s time there will be a day where I can justifiably stay indoors (apart from walking my dog) and get stuff done around the house, catch up on usual life stuff and not feel like I “should” be making the most of the great outdoors. It’s mindset, isn’t it? It’s giving ourselves permission to make decisions based on what we need rather than what we think we “should” (there’s that word again) be doing.
For me, I need balance. I need to keep on top of day-to-day stuff where it’s work or personal, so I need to factor that into my week to keep me balanced regardless of the weather.
I like to plan. – planning for a day/evening for when I know the weather isn’t so good allows me to be more spontaneous on the sunny days – who needs to hoover when it’s glorious outside?
Maybe this all seems trivial but in a world where it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, where we need to find balance, it can be these little things that can give us that balance.
