an i-candy girl’s guide to summer

Summer is something we, people of all ages, look forward to. Even if you hate the season, you still look forward to it because society has signaled warm winds and a shining sun as freedom. Whether it be freedom from school, if you're a student, or freedom from those long months cooped up in seclusion from the brutal temperatures of winter. Summer has always been the season of now. But often, at least to me, summer does not always bring its fast paced nature the moment the weather goes over seventy degrees. Often, summer feels long and boring. You sit there and wait, and wait and, wait and then, oh look, it's fall again. 

But from experiencing the summer of our current year, I’ve found that it's the little moments that make it fantastic. Perception-altering, even. It's those little moments that awaken something in you, that make you actually see summer as the season of movement that it is. So I write this guide as my summer, at least in its academic form, comes to a close. 

It wasn't the loudest. But I believe that this one might be one of the best so far in my life. 

Visit Water

I always shit on New England. Whenever I arrive back home for the summer, I am ready to leave the next day. But one thing I will forever love about the region is the proximity to water. 

The home I grew up in is only about ten minutes from a beach. My family and I drive up there to view the fireworks on the fourth or simply to get away from the pressing responsibilities from our day-to-day lives. The cities surrounding my town all have amazing beaches, so my choices are truly unlimited. And to rub it in, there is a ferry that runs right to Long Island. It’s the best hour you could ever spend. I still believe the best form of travel is by water.

There truly is this magical aspect to water. I find my mind to be completely devoid of any thoughts of worries when I’m around it. When you’re ambitious, you always want to move onto the next thing, but the water forces you to slow down and enjoy what's in front of you. Sometimes, that's all you truly need for a season. 

Plus, no A.C. can beat the cooling effect water has when you stand by it. No matter the temperature outside, the water knows just how to cool you down. 

Start a collection

As a child, I have always enjoyed collecting different objects. I always knew it was beautiful to see such meaning in items that other people may find useless.

But unfortunately as one grows, we stray further and further away from play and joy. Restarting collections, at my big age, brought that spark back. Each time I have visited a beach, I return home with seashells. I pick them up from the sand and wonder how far it may have traveled and why the water has chosen to push them up to my feet. I began to collect buttons (which I will admit, I started this one early spring). I look for the brightest and biggest buttons to add to my collections. Sometimes, I choose to sew it on clothes. Once I made earrings. These pieces serve as reminders of this beautiful, ever growing collection. 

I have even started collecting coins, because why not? It’s a shame we rarely use physical currency anymore. I treat these coins as art forms and less as money. I take account of how old it is and whether it is shiny or so faded that the copper has now turned green. I think about every hand it has been in before it had reached mine. 

In a way, starting a collection makes you feel more connected to humans as a whole.

Indulge in Sweet Treats 

Summer should be the time to eat as much as you want and whatever you like. With precaution, of course, for health reasons. You’ve got a plethora of fun pastries, candies, drinks, whatever. Cave into that temptation and enjoy yourself. I’ve always believed that food should be fun. It's a shame how much we police ourselves.

Last week, I went to this diner with my sibling known for their over-the-top desserts and shakes. We went there with the mission to try everything. It was all so well put together and yes, very, very sweet. There is no nap that hits like a sugar crash. 

As we ate, I realized how much joy there is in consuming a sweet treat. Obviously the sugar plays a big role in it; there’s some chemistry that explains that. But, it’s the overall experience. Seeing bright blues, pinks, and yellows in a bowl, tasting vanilla or chocolate, turning and seeing the reaction of the person next to you, all makes it memorable. And usually these treats are not something you can easily replicate on your own, which is, on one hand, a smart move for the business, but, on the other it just makes the treat last longer.

As you go out to enjoy these delicacies and possibly overspend, make sure to drink some water afterward. Very important. 

Thrift something bold 

There was a thrift market in my state in early June. I still give gratitude for the organizers of the event. In my state, there are no fun thrift markets, at least not super close to me. When that flyer hit my feed, I saved it and put it in my calendar with record speed.

When I attended this market, the curation was insane. My closet has been craving more color and prints. I’ve always loved anything visually confusing and loud. I have my Venus in Aquarius to thank for that. I stood at the entrance and told myself one thing: Go big or don’t buy anything at all. 

I did go overboard, but sometimes a splurge is needed. I picked up everything I loved immediately before my mind freaked me out. It’s insane how your mind can be your enemy in that way, how come you don’t want me to look fly?

There’s a level of comfortability and confidence you have to have within yourself to rock a clothing item that you know is authentically you. If you can’t do that yet, well, we have a little more work to do one ourselves. If there's one thing in life that you shouldn’t be unsure about, it should be you. Your style. Your look, Your overall being.

After I thrifted those clothes, they sat in that closet for days, and I defaulted to my “safe” outfits. But watching myself do that felt offensive. It’s amazing how that same mind can come to its senses and push you for your greater good. Those safe clothes have barely been touched since, or actually they have been demoted to “house clothes”. I began to teach myself to trust my vision. 

Be one with the sun

The sun has been gracious this year. Too gracious, some may say. All those heatwaves truly do just make you wanna stay inside, but remember that's what we have the water for (point number 1).

I found out recently through bloodwork that I am deficient in vitamin D, so I have been forced to get more sun time. And through this time, through all the sweat and heat moodiness, I have figured out its importance. 

The sun is the ultimate figure of summer. It welcomes the season change. Without it, well, this guide falls flat. You do not have as much water access without the heat. Maybe your quests for items for your collection will slow down, because the gloomier the weather the less motivated the individual. Sure, you can enjoy sweet treats in the cold, but is it really as good as sharing a milkshake overfilled with toppings, one where you can’t tell where the drink ends and the topping begins, with a friend outdoors? You can’t spend hours at a thrift market if your fingers feel like they're freezing off. Because of these things, I am grateful for this giant star. 

And as I mentioned, since the sun is summer itself, in order to enjoy the summer, you do not have to do anything but put on some sunscreen, sit outside, and enjoy some vitamin D. I truly get the people who spend their days on their porch or lawn, letting the sun shine on them and perceiving life. When I was younger I always thought, “aren't they bored?” Well as I sit on my porch, I understand they never were bored. Because as I sat there, I waved to three dogs, I painted my nails, and I saw the neighborhood kids set up a lemonade stand. It wasn’t much. But it was everything I needed that day.

I went over to their stand and bought a lemonade. I made sure to ask them to put a little extra sugar in mine. I went back over to my porch and thought that this is the way summer should always be. 

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