There is a very specific kind of energy that hits the house on a Sunday afternoon in mid-September. The calendar is trying its hardest to drag us into fall, the stores are already packed with Halloween decorations, while at the same time the sun is shining down on a beautiful 82-degree day. It is that fleeting window where summer is beginning to slide into the rearview mirror, but you just aren’t quite ready to let it go.
Last weekend, my house was caught in a bit of an energy split. I woke up ready to go soak up the beautiful weather and do something, while my family was firmly operating on a much more relaxed, indoor frequency. They had a busy week and just wanted to decompress inside. When you are outvoted 2-to-1 on the weekend itinerary, you have two choices: you can sit around feeling trapped by the indoors, or you can find your own path to the kind of afternoon you are looking for.
I chose the latter. I realized I didn’t need a big family outing to change my scenery; I just needed my pool deck.
Leaving the quiet house behind, I grabbed a towel and headed outside to create my own personal oasis. I didn’t even bother trying to convince the family to join me because I knew they weren’t in the mood, so instead, I decided to channel one of my favorite vacation spots. I brewed a cup of Joffrey’s Mickey Sorcerer’s blend, put on some Hawaiian music, and officially transported myself to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.
The pool water had dropped to about 77 degrees. Now, I have been known to jump in when it’s as low as 70—maybe not for as long as I would when the water is 80 degrees, but I’ll do it! Still, given the late afternoon hour, I just wasn’t in the mood to fully submerge. I simply wanted that peaceful feeling instead. For me, just being by the water—whether it’s a pool, a lake, or the ocean—is one of the most relaxing and rejuvenating things in the world.
So, I compromised. I sat poolside, sipping my coffee and hanging my feet in the water just to soak up that vacation vibe. Sitting there with the tropical music playing and the cool water on my feet, I completely turned my Sunday around.
I knew I had to take advantage of this little oasis while I still could. As amazing as 82 degrees feels right now, the reality is we are only a few short weeks away from pulling the cover over the pool and shutting off the pump until next spring. Once that happens, this specific mental vacation destination is officially closed for the season.
Sometimes, you don’t need a plane ticket, and you don’t need everyone in the house to match your energy level. You just need to claim a little slice of the afternoon for yourself, get near the water, and stubbornly hold onto summer for just a little bit longer. I have to admit, though, the only thing missing from my backyard Polynesian resort was a Dole Whip. I’ve heard there are some great knockoff recipes floating around out there, so perhaps it’s time to track one down and get it perfected in time for next summer.
Have you ever given yourself a little one-hour mental vacation when you needed a change of scenery? If so, where is your favorite place to escape to in your mind? Let me know in the comments!