Happy Summer Blog Friends!
Oppressively hot days by the pool, boozy nights at the beach, concert tours, barbecues, seafood - what's not to love?
Yes, the lazy days of summer are here - emphasis on the word, "lazy."
My creativity seems to have slowed considerably in the last few weeks, hence the lull in blog posts. After a brutally busy winter and spring at work, I have never looked more forward to the start of summer - a Memorial Day vacation specifically - than I did this year.
Not because I was doing anything particularly special. Jacob and I went to Charleston, which is where I've spent nearly every Memorial Day for the past decade; then we went to Pawley's Island where his parents live.
Hardly the exotic vacation I've been dreaming about. This was an extended weekend to South Carolina - where I grew up; where I lived most of my life; where my people are. We certainly weren't crossing things off our bucket lists.
I grilled out, I sat in the sun, I played beach games and drank cold beer.
I watched golf on television and napped on the couch. I took a boat ride and sipped cocktails at sunset.
I went to bed early and slept late; I played tennis, I played golf, I played bocce ball all on the same day. Hardcore.
In other words, I did things I've done my entire life in the state where I grew up. Absolutely nothing was fancy, absolutely nothing was new.
But absolutely everything was wonderful.
I started this blog on the premise of doing new things every single day as a way to soak up every last minute of my 20's. Project 29 to 30 forced me to step out of my comfort zone; I ate different foods, traveled the world, learned new skills. It was a year for which I have no regrets; one I'll never forget.
However, the farther I'm removed from that experience, the more I am convinced that the thrill-seeking, spontaneous element of my personality - the traits that moved me to tackle such an ambitious project - they might've have also been the source of much distress for me over the years.
Perhaps it's maturity, or maybe just a cocktail induced revelation, but my completely chill Memorial Day weekend reminded me of what I'd started to suspect since turning 30: true contentment isn't made up of shiny new experiences and constant change, but instead finding beauty in our everyday, predictable lives.
Don't get me wrong - I'm already gunning for an exotic vacation that requires a plane ride and a passport - traveling is one of my true passions in life that brings me much happiness.
But surrounded by the calm of the ocean and the people that I love - there is much happiness there too. Of that I am sure.
Last week, I felt completely relaxed - like a person I don't even know.
Vacation Steph. She's tan, she's happy, she's (for the most part) anxiety-free.
Earlier this week, my friend Emily asked me what I was doing next weekend and I told her I was going to the beach.
"Weren't you just at the beach?" she asked me.
"Yep," I replied.
Consistency is key.
Yes, the lazy days of summer are here - emphasis on the word, "lazy."
My creativity seems to have slowed considerably in the last few weeks, hence the lull in blog posts. After a brutally busy winter and spring at work, I have never looked more forward to the start of summer - a Memorial Day vacation specifically - than I did this year.
Not because I was doing anything particularly special. Jacob and I went to Charleston, which is where I've spent nearly every Memorial Day for the past decade; then we went to Pawley's Island where his parents live.
Hardly the exotic vacation I've been dreaming about. This was an extended weekend to South Carolina - where I grew up; where I lived most of my life; where my people are. We certainly weren't crossing things off our bucket lists.
I grilled out, I sat in the sun, I played beach games and drank cold beer.
I watched golf on television and napped on the couch. I took a boat ride and sipped cocktails at sunset.
I went to bed early and slept late; I played tennis, I played golf, I played bocce ball all on the same day. Hardcore.
In other words, I did things I've done my entire life in the state where I grew up. Absolutely nothing was fancy, absolutely nothing was new.
But absolutely everything was wonderful.
I started this blog on the premise of doing new things every single day as a way to soak up every last minute of my 20's. Project 29 to 30 forced me to step out of my comfort zone; I ate different foods, traveled the world, learned new skills. It was a year for which I have no regrets; one I'll never forget.
However, the farther I'm removed from that experience, the more I am convinced that the thrill-seeking, spontaneous element of my personality - the traits that moved me to tackle such an ambitious project - they might've have also been the source of much distress for me over the years.
Perhaps it's maturity, or maybe just a cocktail induced revelation, but my completely chill Memorial Day weekend reminded me of what I'd started to suspect since turning 30: true contentment isn't made up of shiny new experiences and constant change, but instead finding beauty in our everyday, predictable lives.
Don't get me wrong - I'm already gunning for an exotic vacation that requires a plane ride and a passport - traveling is one of my true passions in life that brings me much happiness.
But surrounded by the calm of the ocean and the people that I love - there is much happiness there too. Of that I am sure.
Vacation Steph. She's tan, she's happy, she's (for the most part) anxiety-free.
Earlier this week, my friend Emily asked me what I was doing next weekend and I told her I was going to the beach.
"Weren't you just at the beach?" she asked me.
"Yep," I replied.
Consistency is key.
love this post. and love that picture of you and your man :)
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