I could have written this myself! I have had most of these thoughts throughout my life. And even living in Washington, I have the sun guilt. I sometimes am relieved when winter arrives and I can relax. But living in Arizona, where it is sunny most of the time, was nice too. And at my age I am getting tired of rain and cold. A warmer, quieter, less peoply environment has been calling to me. Just have to figure out where that is. Anyway, this is a lovely piece. Thank you.
Yes! That permission to relax in the winter is so nice. I guess when you live somewhere where it’s nice all the time you get used to relaxing more when it’s sunny. And it’s easier because it’s warm and comfortable.
I found your feature on Substack Reads and was drawn to this piece because I am in coastal Alaska now, for the first time in my life, and I’ve been adjusting myself to the constant drizzle since I arrived. It’s been a dream for many years to make my way here, so this summer I bought an old camper van and loaded up my two dogs and drove 5,000 miles solo from New Hampshire (I’ve written a bit about the trip on my Substack). I love your take on the rain allowing us to slow down, and the “sun guilt” of nice days.
I’ve spent 15 years in the White Mountains of New Hampshire - the place I thought I’d always call home - but now I am called to bigger horizons, and I’ve adjusted my life to try living on the road. I’ve had to shed a lot of expectations to pursue this lifestyle (I was once a PhD student). I wonder if I’ll find a new happy place, or if I’ll end up right back where I started?
Thank you for exploring these themes, and for your beautiful writing and reflections!
I love this! I replied to you on the Substack reads thread as well haha. I’m so excited for you and this big adventure! It sounds amazing. I think you’ll love Alaska. I promise it doesn’t rain all the time but... well most of the time. Especially this time of year. If you can make your way to the Prince William Sound I highly recommend it.
I did a glacier cruise out of Whittier, and I’m hoping to make it over to Valdez and possibly take the ferry from Skagway to Juneau if I have time! When do you think is the best time of year to visit?
Thank you, Kristen! I didn’t make it to Alaska until mid August this year, and within a week or two the rain started. I’ll need to go earlier next time, but not so early to be swarmed by bugs!
After living in several countries and climates myself too, I've also come to understand where I thrive and where my spirit shrivels, climate-wise. And it's not in a similar climate to my childhood home's; but I guess it depends how one's childhood went. There is usually a big emotional component of a homing instinct, if the childhood home was safe and fun.
I definitely agree, I think we attach those feelings to where we felt most grounded and secure. I suppose I was using home more as a sense of peace, fulfillment, and safety, rather than the physical place. I also get that feeling in places that aren't the same as my home, like the coast in Washington and in the deserts of Utah and Arizona, oddly enough. What climate have you settled in?
I settled in the Mediterranean climate of Spain, where I feel my soul just thrives. During my childhood, I often suffered through the snowy winters in Romania and swore off cold winters. Now I still enjoy them, and appreciate the magic and the experience of a snow day, but just on a sporadic weekend break at a time. :-)
I’m so glad you like it! It’s interesting how we have that, sometimes the places we’re drawn too aren’t where we started, or where we will even end up.
I could have written this myself! I have had most of these thoughts throughout my life. And even living in Washington, I have the sun guilt. I sometimes am relieved when winter arrives and I can relax. But living in Arizona, where it is sunny most of the time, was nice too. And at my age I am getting tired of rain and cold. A warmer, quieter, less peoply environment has been calling to me. Just have to figure out where that is. Anyway, this is a lovely piece. Thank you.
Yes! That permission to relax in the winter is so nice. I guess when you live somewhere where it’s nice all the time you get used to relaxing more when it’s sunny. And it’s easier because it’s warm and comfortable.
I found your feature on Substack Reads and was drawn to this piece because I am in coastal Alaska now, for the first time in my life, and I’ve been adjusting myself to the constant drizzle since I arrived. It’s been a dream for many years to make my way here, so this summer I bought an old camper van and loaded up my two dogs and drove 5,000 miles solo from New Hampshire (I’ve written a bit about the trip on my Substack). I love your take on the rain allowing us to slow down, and the “sun guilt” of nice days.
I’ve spent 15 years in the White Mountains of New Hampshire - the place I thought I’d always call home - but now I am called to bigger horizons, and I’ve adjusted my life to try living on the road. I’ve had to shed a lot of expectations to pursue this lifestyle (I was once a PhD student). I wonder if I’ll find a new happy place, or if I’ll end up right back where I started?
Thank you for exploring these themes, and for your beautiful writing and reflections!
I love this! I replied to you on the Substack reads thread as well haha. I’m so excited for you and this big adventure! It sounds amazing. I think you’ll love Alaska. I promise it doesn’t rain all the time but... well most of the time. Especially this time of year. If you can make your way to the Prince William Sound I highly recommend it.
I did a glacier cruise out of Whittier, and I’m hoping to make it over to Valdez and possibly take the ferry from Skagway to Juneau if I have time! When do you think is the best time of year to visit?
I would suggest August, though Angie is the expert on that area.
Thank you, Kristen! I didn’t make it to Alaska until mid August this year, and within a week or two the rain started. I’ll need to go earlier next time, but not so early to be swarmed by bugs!
Loved the slight nostalgic tone to your piece.
After living in several countries and climates myself too, I've also come to understand where I thrive and where my spirit shrivels, climate-wise. And it's not in a similar climate to my childhood home's; but I guess it depends how one's childhood went. There is usually a big emotional component of a homing instinct, if the childhood home was safe and fun.
I definitely agree, I think we attach those feelings to where we felt most grounded and secure. I suppose I was using home more as a sense of peace, fulfillment, and safety, rather than the physical place. I also get that feeling in places that aren't the same as my home, like the coast in Washington and in the deserts of Utah and Arizona, oddly enough. What climate have you settled in?
I settled in the Mediterranean climate of Spain, where I feel my soul just thrives. During my childhood, I often suffered through the snowy winters in Romania and swore off cold winters. Now I still enjoy them, and appreciate the magic and the experience of a snow day, but just on a sporadic weekend break at a time. :-)
Spain! What a dream! That sounds fantastic. The slower pace of the Mediterranean is so lovely.
Yeah, the rhythm can be as fast and filled with 'fiestas' as you want it, or as serene and secluded as you need it. 😊🧘🏻♀️
I’m so glad you like it! It’s interesting how we have that, sometimes the places we’re drawn too aren’t where we started, or where we will even end up.