Stray Thoughts on Being Well From a North Carolina Beach on Global Wellness Day
The headline is long enough.
I spent last Saturday lying out in the sun, reading The Wilderness by Angela Flournoy, relating perhaps a bit too deeply with the worry, ennui, and jadedness of the book’s five protagonists.
In between pages, I waded out into the lake, watched families play volleyball and teach their kids to swim, and had a variety of conversations about work, life, and its ever-changing nature with the people I was there with. It was necessary—I needed to get out into nature, even if it was so hot that the top of my friend’s water bottle exploded. While out there, I had a few passing thoughts on what it means to be well, which is the point of Global Wellness Day. Sharing them below, unfiltered and untailored. If you’re so inclined, tell me in the comments how you spent your weekend. Even if you didn’t know it was Global Wellness Day, I’m curious to know what you did with your summer Saturday.
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I love the feel of wet sand between my toes. There’s something about mushing them into the earth that makes me feel grounded, like I’m part of it. I mean, I am part of the earth. I come from it and, one day—hopefully far into the future—I’ll return to it. It is me. I am it.
“Every body is a beach body” is most evident at the beach. I’m not sure why I feel so insecure in mine right now, but I should figure that out! There are so many humans here, of so many shapes and sizes, having fun. God, I need to bring this up in therapy. Moving on!!!
A woman tells us she’s had enough sun to last a lifetime, per her dermatologist, and it makes me sad. I can’t imagine not roasting in its rays. (Editor’s note: With sunscreen on, of course!) She loves the sun, too, but good on her for choosing longevity over the health risks. That self-care inspires me.
I’m reading The Wilderness to escape, and because of book club, but instead, I keep seeing myself in all of these women, which isn’t a bad thing. Still, they’re exhausted in the exact ways I am, so, in a way, I feel like Desiree, January, Monique, Nakia, and Danielle are keeping me company versus offering me an escape from my own search for equilibrium.
It is so fucking hot, but I feel most alive when I’m enduring the elements. That sounds weird, but it’s true. Something about the friction, or, really, any friction, reminds me of my humanity. It’s humbling. I’m cocky, but I am not greater than nature. How relieving in a world where oligarchs are working to be bigger than the program. They aren’t. None of us are.
I did not know it was national wellness day. I spent the day walking around a neighborhood garage sale buying cool stuff I don't need for $1 and chatting about quilting, bike trailers, the human tendency to turn counterclockwise when changing directions, gardening, World Cup soccer, and gossip about other neighbors. It was fun.