I just saw this post and missed your gathering to commiserate. I'm very sensitive to the sun and I am a Sweaty Betty. Sweating is the number one thing I hate about my bodily functions. What sweating helps doesn't matter to me! It is seriously uncomfortable having something pouring from my head.
Martine, I’m sorry you missed us, but you have many kindred spirits! I agree wholeheartedly about sweating. I’m glad that I’ve become completely immune to what others may think about me in my wicking shirt and hat as I stay in the shade or the air conditioning. Whatever I can do for my own comfort is worth not looking like what other people expect. Hang in there—this season will not last forever!
I hadn't realized you are in the 'burgh. I'm in harrisburg. I so agree with you about summer! I've done my best to focus on the garden, my sanctum sanctorum.
Howdy, neighbor! So glad to meet someone else from PA! Love that you’ve found (made) a sanctum sanctorum. I need to find a similar way to get through summer. 🤔 Good food for thought!
i've been pretty lucky. I have a spare room in the house I call the "withdrawing room" that I decorated a couple of years ago in mellow dark colors and a fake fireplace, and my garden is tiny, about 30 by 50 but fenced which makes it nicely secluded. Iv'e been doing my best to breach the city limits on fence height with bushes.... oh dear I just didn't know that they got that tall, :)
Love your subversive gardening, Vel! And transforming a space into a withdrawing room sounds like the best home improvement project. Thanks for the laugh and for the really thought-provoking ideas about how to make our physical space better serve our needs! 💚
Lori, I'm so sorry summer has arrived and brought such unpleasantness. I don't recall ever being averse to summer in the past, but in recent years I have far more trouble with the heat. I don't love winter, but I need coolness in the summer. So, I hear you!
Another simularity, Lori! We are kindred spirits indeed. ☀️I don't hate the summer (indeed there are certain aspects that I love!) but there are definately reoccuring parts that make me uncomfortable: Leaf blowers (my nemisis), humidity and ridiculous high temps, feeling like I can't be at home - that I need to be out and social when it's sunny and light, the massive crowds at summer festivals and concerts. It's tough being an HSP. 🤲
I see you, kindred spirit! And I share your distaste for leaf blowers, Lisa! I don’t feel the pressure to be out in social settings (or I’ve learned how to just say no), but I feel the pressure to try to do ALL the outdoor activities (hike, swim, camp, play outdoor games, go to parks, picnic, etc.) when it’s not rainy and gray. Those are all things I enjoy doing, but the pressure to participate wears on me. I hope you find more of the positive parts of summer and relief from leaf blowers and other challenges!
I was diagnosed with SAD for Summer months. I used to LOVE summer as a kid, as an adult thought it definitely kicks me into a depression now. I think I'm way too sensitive to the heat now and it makes me want to hide. :(
Mesa, I’m sad to hear that this is such a hard season for you. Hope you’re getting some extra support—the struggle is real. At least you are not hiding on Substack! ❤️
Put me in the I love summer group. Maybe your Soundings Circle can have both. We might see something wonderful about the opposite season through someone else's experience. When I moved to Texas 15 years ago, my snarky friends in Maryland said on a day when it was 105 here, "How do you like the heat?" My answer: I can drive in it. When your car is covered in snow and there's no sense "digging out" because you still can't move until the plows get through, and that was five days later. Meanwhile, you are buried alive and no ambulance, no trash trucks, no electricity, nothing can get to you, and you can't open your front door because the snow is over your head. I'll take the heat and longer days, thank you."
There’s definitely room for both! And while I cannot fathom living in that kind of heat, I will agree that driving in the snow isn’t one of my favorite parts of winter. I appreciate your perspective, Georgia!
I just saw this post and missed your gathering to commiserate. I'm very sensitive to the sun and I am a Sweaty Betty. Sweating is the number one thing I hate about my bodily functions. What sweating helps doesn't matter to me! It is seriously uncomfortable having something pouring from my head.
Martine, I’m sorry you missed us, but you have many kindred spirits! I agree wholeheartedly about sweating. I’m glad that I’ve become completely immune to what others may think about me in my wicking shirt and hat as I stay in the shade or the air conditioning. Whatever I can do for my own comfort is worth not looking like what other people expect. Hang in there—this season will not last forever!
I hadn't realized you are in the 'burgh. I'm in harrisburg. I so agree with you about summer! I've done my best to focus on the garden, my sanctum sanctorum.
Howdy, neighbor! So glad to meet someone else from PA! Love that you’ve found (made) a sanctum sanctorum. I need to find a similar way to get through summer. 🤔 Good food for thought!
i've been pretty lucky. I have a spare room in the house I call the "withdrawing room" that I decorated a couple of years ago in mellow dark colors and a fake fireplace, and my garden is tiny, about 30 by 50 but fenced which makes it nicely secluded. Iv'e been doing my best to breach the city limits on fence height with bushes.... oh dear I just didn't know that they got that tall, :)
Love your subversive gardening, Vel! And transforming a space into a withdrawing room sounds like the best home improvement project. Thanks for the laugh and for the really thought-provoking ideas about how to make our physical space better serve our needs! 💚
I’m looking forward to fall! 😉
Ditto! 🍂🍁🎃
Lori, I'm so sorry summer has arrived and brought such unpleasantness. I don't recall ever being averse to summer in the past, but in recent years I have far more trouble with the heat. I don't love winter, but I need coolness in the summer. So, I hear you!
The heat is so challenging, isn’t it? I wish you plenty of coolness this summer, Sandra!
Another simularity, Lori! We are kindred spirits indeed. ☀️I don't hate the summer (indeed there are certain aspects that I love!) but there are definately reoccuring parts that make me uncomfortable: Leaf blowers (my nemisis), humidity and ridiculous high temps, feeling like I can't be at home - that I need to be out and social when it's sunny and light, the massive crowds at summer festivals and concerts. It's tough being an HSP. 🤲
oh I'd like to take an ax to all leaf blowers.
Yessssss!!!!
I see you, kindred spirit! And I share your distaste for leaf blowers, Lisa! I don’t feel the pressure to be out in social settings (or I’ve learned how to just say no), but I feel the pressure to try to do ALL the outdoor activities (hike, swim, camp, play outdoor games, go to parks, picnic, etc.) when it’s not rainy and gray. Those are all things I enjoy doing, but the pressure to participate wears on me. I hope you find more of the positive parts of summer and relief from leaf blowers and other challenges!
I was diagnosed with SAD for Summer months. I used to LOVE summer as a kid, as an adult thought it definitely kicks me into a depression now. I think I'm way too sensitive to the heat now and it makes me want to hide. :(
So - you are so very not alone!!
Mesa, I’m sad to hear that this is such a hard season for you. Hope you’re getting some extra support—the struggle is real. At least you are not hiding on Substack! ❤️
Put me in the I love summer group. Maybe your Soundings Circle can have both. We might see something wonderful about the opposite season through someone else's experience. When I moved to Texas 15 years ago, my snarky friends in Maryland said on a day when it was 105 here, "How do you like the heat?" My answer: I can drive in it. When your car is covered in snow and there's no sense "digging out" because you still can't move until the plows get through, and that was five days later. Meanwhile, you are buried alive and no ambulance, no trash trucks, no electricity, nothing can get to you, and you can't open your front door because the snow is over your head. I'll take the heat and longer days, thank you."
There’s definitely room for both! And while I cannot fathom living in that kind of heat, I will agree that driving in the snow isn’t one of my favorite parts of winter. I appreciate your perspective, Georgia!
I completely relate to your thoughts about summer. So much "pressure" to HAVE FUN! And the humidity is no pleasure. Thanks for sharing this.
I’m glad to hear that you can relate, Gail! May your summer be a little less pressured this year!