Last summer, I did something that I had not done in a long time. I took up all the active things I loved to do when I was in high school or even younger. I started to swim and play tennis, which was great and much-needed exercise without it feeling like it.
I was an avid swimmer and springboard diver and I held records at the pool where I swam each summer back in St. Louis. It is interesting how every summer I loved a different swim stroke more than I did the summer before.
Mix it up, I say.
All I know is that I never got out of the pool until I was a wrinkled up prune and I never wanted to go home, which was within walking distance. I always stayed almost until closing time. Eventually, I would need prescription eardrops for my infected ear(s), and my hair turned an unusual shade of green, and it had the texture of straw.
I am a natural brunette, but by the end of the summer, I had highlights painted on by the sun, chlorine and “Sun-In” hair spray. Real lemon was a part of the formula too. There were endless lemons next to the free ice tea dispenser from the pool snack bar.
Last summer, I not only noticed that I was getting in better shape by not being so quick to be short of breath, but I also felt more joy and lightness in my day by remembering all those happy memories from long ago. No bills to pay, no parenting worries, just the selfish days of being me. Thank you, Mom and Dad.
The good days really do come barrelling back as if you are still living in that ridiculous simpleness, the pure innocence you felt over summer vacation.
Whatever it is that you did, if you aren’t doing it anymore, you need to somehow fold it back into your routine and your lifestyle to get those natural endorphins to return again.
I also feel like your body knows how it was and tries to morph back to how it used to be. Well, it kind of does. I am nowhere close, but I have started to feel better than I did before. I got in the pool last week. I plan on spending so much more time doing more of this for the rest of the summer. Tennis and pickleball are a part of the agenda too.
Just looking at these pictures makes me feel so good about my goals for the next three months, hopefully, even longer than that. Try it. I don’t think you’ll regret it.
Happy Almost Summer!
My dearest, I love it!! I was a competitive swimmer and actually a natural blonde who turned very light in the summer. Thrilled that you are returning to that marvelous state of lightness; and, interestingly enough, I am doing the same in the pool here. Truly the best activity as it is just me, the water and God!! ❤️🙏🏻
Two of my all time favorites! History and genes do repeat themselves! XOXO