Goodbye Summer
Here we are in October - the middle of October. It just occurred to me that I never really officially said goodbye to summer. Not the way I typically do of reflecting on all the sweet moments and looking forward to what comes next.
It was like August spilled into September and now we're officially in the fall months. Although, we've just started reaching weather under 80 degrees, so it's been hard to adjust to that mentality. I haven't even decorated for fall or felt like breaking out the fake pumpkins and leaves.
How do you go from living life at 100 mph during the summer to then slowing it down to about 75? I guess I'm still trying to find that balance. This was one of the best summers of my entire life. I pushed myself to have fun and clear my mind, but I also was able to focus on things I've wanted to do forever, but just keep putting off.
The summer months were filled with a lot of moments:
It was staying up late and getting up early for work.
It was hanging out at friends' houses, eating ice cream around a table, catching up on life.
Disneyland trips with some of my best friends.
Seeing Taylor Swift in concert twice and singing along with my best friend at the top of our lungs.
Walking across the Golden Gate Bridge and feeling true peace and freedom.
It was saying yes to new opportunities and finding out where they might lead.
It was getting real about what I wanted.
It was taking time for me to write and set new personal goals.
It was hot days and trying to stay cool or getting out of town for the sweatshirt weather.
It was not having to set a schedule or routine every day and it was not knowing what fun was going to be had throughout the day.
It was raising my arms in the air as Guardians of the Galaxy lifted me out of my seat and dropped us many stories and screaming my head off on the Incredicoaster.
It was heart to hearts with people I love most.
It was facing reality when the things I wanted to happen didn't.
It was celebrating life, every aspect of it. Good and bad. Learning lessons and embracing everything in between.
And now that summer's been over for awhile, I find myself missing it. As you get older, you wonder how many moments like that you'll get to have. Things will change, time will march on and life will shift. But, looking back on those months is enough to fill me with peace and put a smile on my face.
Fall is my absolute favorite, though. Life goes back to the normal routine with work and events. And, of course, it all just feels more festive. The leaves. The sweaters. The lattes. Pumpkin patches. Hallmark movies that you know the ending to. Curling up with a good book and a cup of hot tea.
Something magical seems to happen every fall. I always anticipate it like a child on Christmas morning. So, as the weather slowly starts to cool down and leaves fall to the ground, and Taylor Swift's "Red" album plays on repeat, I look forward to all of the memories to be made.
For now, we say goodbye to summer and hello to fall.
I'm okay with this.
Change isn't always bad, right?
That's all for now,
Shelby