It’s OK Not To ‘Make The Most’ Of The Weather

No matter how much we look forward to summer, the reality of it, unless you’re poolside with fridge, is that it’s hard work. Doing all the same things you usually do in the face of severe heat feeling marginally guilty that you’re not loving it, isn’t nearly as much fun as we imagine in February that it will be. All I can offer you by way of illustration is a picture of Honey with a glass of rose and one of me sweating into my hair on the train.

I used to LOVE the heat, but over the years, I tolerate it far less well. I wrote a piece last year on summer sadness and it resonated with so many people who feel really down when the sun comes out (HERE). Partly, it’s because you think everyone is outdoors having a truly sparkling time or is somehow having an amplified ‘good time’ because of the heat. The reality is, that with the odd exception, they’re struggling home on the train, literally dripping and soggy, weak as kittens, to stare at the pile of ironing in a kind of heat-depleted horror. But, you obviously won’t see that on Instagram!

My point is to rid yourself of the guilt of wanting to stay inside, cool and hydrated, while watching Netflix and eating a Magnum. Reclaim your summer and make it how you want it to be without worrying about, or even thinking about, what everyone else is doing.

School holidays make things quieter which obviously adds to the sweaty suspicion that everyone is ‘enjoying themselves’ which in itself can lead you to feel left out or that you’re missing something. Which then makes you sad. One of the things that still catches me out is that all the brands and agencies go quiet in July and August which immediately leads me to think that’s it, it’s all over, nobody wants to speak to me or send products…it’s time to give up… And I never learn! I had it on Monday, even though I 100% know that come September, I’ll be as busy as ever.

Give yourself permission to claim this hot time as whatever you need it to be for you. It’s completely okay not to want to barbeque the sh*t out of a sausage or to smother yourself in SPF and ‘go for a walk’. It IS fine to curl up in front of the fan with a book, a download or a podcast. It IS fine to pull your curtains and ignore the blazing sun. It’s normal to feel less energized and more lethargic and once you’ve given yourself permission, there’s something rather lovely about that indolence.

Things that work for me, bearing in mind that I’m freelance and work from home, are a) go out early – I go with my dog, but you could equally go and get a newspaper then you’re done, you don’t need to leave the house again unless you want to, but you HAVE seen the outside of your four walls; b) buy or borrow a book you’ve wanted to read for ages or download a series that you’ve wanted to see to make the time feel both productive and indulgent; c) have summerish food and really think about what you’d like to eat, making time to prep it so it feels more special – if you like fruit have a strawberry fest for example because they’re horrible every other time of year; d) feel free not to apply moisturiser for a few days if it makes your skin sweat, nothing bad will happen, and e) enjoy summer YOUR way without letting expectations impede you. It’s alright if it’s a bit rubbish because we know it’s not going to last – this is the UK!

 


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20 responses to “It’s OK Not To ‘Make The Most’ Of The Weather”

  1. Rachel

    Loving your work Jane 🙂

    Heat is great when you don’t have to do anything other than lie by the pool. Heat is rubbish when you have to do anything other than the above!

    1. Jane

      exactly!! And even by the pool these days I seek the umbrella!

      1. Rachel

        The sun has moved around to my office and it feels like the air is made of soup. What I wouldn’t give for a frozen margarita right about now *looks sideways at cup of tea*.

        1. Jane

          ooh frozen margarita, you say…?

  2. Becky

    Wise words. I don’t enjoy the extreme heat so today I’ve set up a fan in the bedroom and am relaxing with a book and a dog- we’re both pretty content with that! X

    1. Jane

      that sounds ideal.. my dog is lying on the kitchen floor… but I don’t think I’ll join her!

  3. Chrissie

    Well said Jane and Rachel! At the time of writing this I am dreading leaving the lovely aircon of the office. Thanks to the peri menopause I’m running super hot far more often that I’d like plus my wavy / slightly curly hair is freaking out regardless of what products are applied. As for trying to find decent workwear suitable for the heat hmm!
    So to say cool I’m armed with some light fresh fragrances (E Arden Green Tea Morning Gardens or Nectarine Blossom and anything Roger & Gallet), a quick press of a dampened handtowel to the backs of my neck and knees plus a read of BBB in between work. Fabulous as ever Jane! x

    1. Jane

      Sounds absolutely perfect!

  4. Jane

    I’m so glad it not’s just me! I thought I must be weird because I really don’t enjoy hot weather at all. I was fine with it as a child and during my 20s, but like you, as the years have gone by I’ve found I enjoy it less and less. I’m now 51 and menopausal, with all the associated hot flushes – put hot weather into the mix and I feel like a sweaty slob, even though I have a shower and hair wash every morning and a bath and hair wash again every evening on the days I work (my hot flushes really make the back of my head sweat, I feel really yucky). Can’t wait for this heatwave to be over, roll on Autumn – thank you for making me realise I’m not alone Jane!

    1. Jane

      You certainly aren’t!

  5. Suri

    I’m sat on the floor with a magnum and my cat has a wet towel on her snoozing away. We are both waiting for winter.

    1. Jane

      haha… what a scene!

  6. Mary

    Please would you be able to link to the article you mentioned writing last year? I would love to be able to read it! Great work with the blog, please don’t ever stop writing!

    1. Jane

      Thanks Mary! I’ve popped the link in the post so you should be able to click through easily x

  7. Mich

    What a great post. You’re so right, I love summer but struggle with the heat and prefer to enjoy it from the cool of my living room looking out into the garden but I always feel guilty that I’m not lying in the garden or out and about. My family are not big meat eaters so the BBQ spends more time covered than in use, again I feel bad about it. How silly is that, we should be able to enjoy the summer however we want without comparing and judging. Definitely a lesson I need to embrace. X

  8. Rosemary

    An excellent post. I find it so much harder to deal with the heat as I age and particularly the current weather. I enjoy Spring and Autumn so much more these days.
    However, I am lucky that I don’t have to use the tube in this heat.

  9. Sabrina

    I’m so glad I’m not the only one who overheats easily (and I’m from a state that gets very hot in the summer). I currently live in a corner of Spain that I refer to as “the oven.” Soon I’ll be moving to the coast, where it’s much cooler. Hooray for Atlantic ocean breezes.

    1. Jane

      That sounds blissful!

  10. Christine

    Thank God for retirement and being able to slob about! Gone are my days of baking in an un-air conditioned office that faced south with fans wafting warm air around. I used to love sitting in the sun but now am only comfortable early morning or late afternoon, although the last few days have made even that impossible! Great article and comments!

    1. Jane

      Thanks Christine! Being able to take the day as it suits you sounds wonderful.

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