Goodbye Summer...

Dear Summer,

Its your last day for 2020 and I wanted to reminisce about the neat things you gave me this year. For one,  I had not idea what kind of summer you were going to be- I couldn't even fathom it. I made a wish list for this summer with the normal things I like to do but I wasn't sure I was able to actually accomplish all of them (spoiler alert: I didn't but I'm not mad about it.)

You provided me with some beautiful sights in Ocean Gate and those sunsets from the beach were one of my favorite things this year. The colors, the slight changes from minute to minute and the reflection on the water brought me peace and calmness. 

Ocean Gate during the day was equally beautiful- I loved seeing all the houses along the water- they were full of character and charm and oh so many stories. I dreamed about who stayed there and what they did. I often say little snippets of peoples lives who lived there- beach chairs, sandy from a day at the beach, next to the back door; beach towels draped over the railings and water floats drying out on the grass; the smell of BBQ's and suntan lotion through the air. I could keep going on and on about Ocean Gate but my walks there were probably in the top 3 favorite things from the summer. 

Summer, you presented a unique opportunity for me this summer that combine my love for yoga and the water- Stand Up Paddleboard Yoga. Seriously, I know it sounds completely crazy BUT it was awesome. It really made you think about your placement and you became more intentional about your movements. The best part about SUP Yoga, hanging out with Adrienne. We have known each other for 5 years now and she is jus awesome. I loved our adventures down the creek and through the lagoons. I loved the board she had and I am eagerly saving my money for my own, next summer. Apparently, there was a SUP shortage this summer. I am glad I was on point with this. 

Another interesting and new thing I tried this summer was house hunting. Early in June, I decided I wanted to get serious with my dream of buying a house. I contacted a realtor and a mortgage person and really set out looking. I knew going into the house hunting process, the interest rates were really good but it was a sellers market. I went and saw two houses in person- One was the right price but not the right house and the other one was not the right price but I loved the house. Here in New Jersey, the house prices are out-of-control. I always knew Jersey was expensive but I didn't realize HOW expensive.  The inventory is high but the prices are extra high. I decided after a frustrating month, to keep my eye out but not get to attached to anything. Most of the inventory was pending the same day (usually within hours) of being listed. I am hoping for some lower prices once the election passes. The bright side of just looking- saving more money.  

I am super close to my goal I wanted and I have the mindset now- I will keep saving my money and maybe I will be able to afford a house that is better than I have ever imagined. My thoughts on savings and money have changed a bit this summer as well. I am so much more focused on my savings goals than ever. I've always had a good relationship with money but now, its the best its ever been.  I feel more in control of my money and I feel better how I spend my money as well. I would love to save more and create more security but I know that will come in time. I am happy (money wise) where I am right now. 

My outlook on life has been pretty erratic during the pandemic. It started out fearful and then it moved to laughing about it and just going with the flow and now its pretty even, accepting and okay with it all. It took me a long time to get to that point and I feel like I needed to say goodbye to somethings in order to get to the spot I am now. It was hard and painful at times but I realized, if I want to have the life I dreamed of, I need to chase it. I need to do things to align with the vision I have. Saying goodbye to things that did not bring me joy helped;  doing what makes you truly happy really works and not caring about what others think- its YOUR life. Remembering that social media is just everyone's highlight reels really helped with not comparing myself and doing my own thing. 

I took a break from dating back in March when the mess started and I thought I was ready to try again in June. Well, I tried and it was rough. Dating is rough in general ( I think) and dating during a pandemic is even harder. I know there were really cute stories about people falling in love socially distant but that just didn't work out for me. I don't know if I wasn't fully into it or its just not for me. I think as you get older, what you look for and what's important to you changes. I might not be ready to date right now but I know I am falling more in love with who I am becoming each day. Being alone is better than being with someone who doesn't value you.

Being in the midst of a global pandemic during the Summer was not ideal but I think we all learned a lot from this summer. We are all learning to be better people- to be kind and more tolerate to everyone you meet. Everyone is fighting a battle we don't know about. The biggest lesson from this summer- BE KIND. Its easy, its free and it makes all of us better. 

Summer, you were one of a kind this year. I think you brought to light the things that matter most and what you should be focusing on instead of what you are wasting your time on. You were a good teacher this year. Thanks for the memories but I am ready for Fall. 

See you next year!

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My favorite posts from the summer:

Favorite Books////Plant Mom Update////How A Year Can Change Everything

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Did you have a good summer? Did anything happen for you that changed you outlook? Share below.

[[[and all at once summer collapsed into fall- Oscar Wilde]]]

-gabrielle