Never have I ever..
Summer expectations are always high, from Brazil to Sweden. From kid to adult, there's always something magical about it that everyone looks forward to. What is it about it that makes it unique?
Summer in Brazil always reminds me of my birthday, when I usually traveled with my family. I hated it at the time because, until my 20th birthday, I never had a proper party with friends. After all, it was my family vacation time—the disadvantages of being born in January. Now, I recognize how privileged that time was.
Brazilian summer is hot hot hot. You live a forever dilemma between jumping in the water or staying in a place with AC. And sometimes, even the water is warm. I love Summer when I am in a proper Summer place. And cities are often not made for it. The idea of walking and sweating non-stop is revolting to me. Mostly, if I am not at the beach, I am complaining and reaffirming how much hot weather is dispensable.
This year was exceptional because I had the pleasure of living this hot season twice, one at the beginning of the year in Brazil and now, the middle of the year here in Europe. Basically, Summer is chasing me down to love it. Am I going to surrender?
Summer in Stockholm started slow and cold, not promising. I was in Italy for five days and was happy to be back in my hopeless habitat as the temperature there was way beyond what a normal human being should live; that said, imagine how dramatic I was during my time in Rome. Again, cities are not made for heat. Three showers a day. Upper Lip Sweating. Humidity, leave me alone.
But my summertime sadness turned as the music festivals started again. I love a concert, even if the singer/band is unknown. Good music is special live. People's moods also changed as the rain began to be replaced by the sun, and this is where the magic happens. In Brazil, eleven months of the year are hot and one month is chilly. Here, you have very defined seasons (with cold weather most of the time).
There's an extra sparkle when Summer arrives for good in Stockholm. Besides being a city, here you can swim pretty much everywhere. Streets are closed to promote socializing, an active lifestyle, and more vivid engagement with one's living environment. The city opens up to welcome the hottest season of the year. It's a different feeling than in Brazil, where here the sun is the long-awaited main character.
Although I despise sweating, (maybe) I am becoming a summer girl.
Is the darkness of living in Sweden that made me appreciate something I had my entire life when living in Brazil, the Sun? Maybe.
Is it because Stockholm's temperature often never passes beyond 27 degrees Celsius? Probably.
Or is it that long story in which we just learn to enjoy something, either when we lose it or when it's scarce? Absolutely.
🟠 #INTERNETFINDS: weekly things worth sharing and consuming 🧠
The Wing Is No More ➞ The Wing was founded by Audrey Gelman and Lauren Kassan in 2016 with the promise of becoming a “women’s utopia.”
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Favorite Podcast of The Week ➞ Esther Perel is a psychotherapist who is recognized as one of the leading voices in modern relationships. Rethinking Infidelity.
The return of ABBA ➞ Abba Voyage, it has to be seen to be believed. Their music makes me smile!
Anitta - VMA's Performance ➞ “VMA’s, did you think I wasn’t going to shake my ass tonight?”
“Every woman's success should be an inspiration to another. We're strongest when we cheer each other on.” Serena Williams
