The summer that it wasn't about summer.
no tan, but still glam.
This summer was about everything else but summer itself.
Besides traveling to some hot spots during spring, my summer has been less about sunny days and heat and more about the unknown. Don't get me wrong; I wish I could have been writing this by the beach, looking at the ocean and feeling the breeze. Yet, I am on a very cloudy day with the perfect 20-degree temperature—not warm, not cold, just lagom*.
(*Lagom, pronounced 'lah-gom,' is a unique Swedish term that roughly translates to "just the right amount" or "not too much, not too little.”)
Of all the places I have been fortunate enough to visit, Iceland was the one I chose to experience a road trip this summer. It's very odd for someone who has lived in Sweden for the past five years and already knows how unpredictable this time of year is, to say the least. And the biggest question among Swedish people during summertime is whether you are going to Thailand, Spain, or Italy. The norm here is that you should be out enjoying as much as possible and getting a tan; after all, this is no Game of Thrones, but winter is coming. I don't blame them!
Also, as a Brazilian, thinking of summer without beach days is like thinking of winter without skiing—ironically, I don't ski and can survive the winter days. Anyway, I thought it would be a sad summer without going to the beach until it wasn't. I discovered that Summer shouldn't necessarily be about beaches, beers, and bikinis. It can be something else, really!
On a weekday evening, as Rafa and I talked about not having any plans ahead, and it was already July, we decided to check flight prices to random places that came to mind, and voilá was too cheap to waste this impulsive opportunity. However, allow me to anticipate something; the only cheap thing about Iceland is the flight.
Iceland was an odd choice, yet surprisingly amazing. It is the kind of place that has always been on my mind to go, but it has never been on top of my list, especially during summertime. We decided to drive through the whole island, or as they say, do the ring. Every part of the way, my only thought was, "Is this real?" or "Am I living in a computer wallpaper?"— you know the photos that come for you to choose, and you always thought it was fake places? Or at least, I did.
When we arrived, I asked the guy in the car rental shop what the best thing about Iceland was, something we should not miss (of course he was Icelandic). He replied, "the people, the nature, and the food." And yes, for the first two, the food is pricey and okay. I felt like a kid there, saying WOW for the views and trying to find better words to describe my feelings, as I am now too. Going on a boat through glaciers, seeing whales, volcanos, almost a million sheep (they are everywhere), all the iconic geothermal baths, hundreds of waterfalls (for real), and the iconic Icelandic horses. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and the opposite of summer, although it never gets dark this time of the year there. And just like that, I discovered a new way of enjoying summer, without the heat and dresses but still wearing sunglasses.
As we returned, another adventure had begun: the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. I can't explain how much I love the Olympics. I always did and always will! It is a passion my dad passed on to me. If there was another life, I was definitely an elite athlete. Rafa surprised me with tickets to watch volleyball, and it was one of the most unique gifts I have ever received in my life because volleyball is my favorite game to watch and cheer at the Olympics. Then, we set off on another adventure about something other than a typical summer.
In other words, it has been a summer of firsts.
My first time not going to a warmer place during this season.
My first time in Iceland.
My first time packing a bag without dresses (I didn't know it was even possible), only athleisure meets trail clothes.
My first time hiking for long hours.
My first time paying fifteen euros for a regular beer (it was haaaard, but in Iceland, it was either this or this).
My first time going to a country with almost the same population as my (considered) small city in Brazil.
My first time traveling with only the earrings I was wearing and no options.
My first time feeling so insignificant as I was swallowed by the immensity of nature in the place where I found myself.
My first time in a long time not knowing what to expect from a place so unexpected.
My first time watching a live volleyball game.
My first time almost crying because of a game.
My first time watching elite table tennis, and feeling like crying too when Brazil lost.
My first time feeling an abundant pride in being a Brazilian.
My first time seeing people from other nations wanting and wishing they were also Brazilians.
My first time experiencing many things and feelings for the first time.
Going against the odds and defying expectations is often daunting, but it always provokes valuable lessons. Summer can be about rainy days, cold winds, waterproof clothes, and closing the day with a happy beer in your hand. Or going to Paris can be about everything else but Paris.
This summer was about discovering new possibilities—embracing a different approach to the typical summer experience. And I wouldn't change a single day. Just like in a game where someone has to lose for someone else to win, in life, to learn, we must embrace the unknown, let go of our familiar practices, and be open to change. It's valuable to head in the opposite direction from time to time. Don't let yourself get too comfortable! "When was the last time you did something for the first time?" It resonates as a cliché because it touches on a universal truth: the importance of stepping out of our comfort zones and encourages continuous learning and adventure in life. So, let's?
🟠 #INTERNETFINDS: weekly things worth sharing and consuming 🧠
The life sabbatical: is doing absolutely nothing the secret of happiness? ➞ Few of us have the money to take a long pause from work or caring responsibilities, but even a day can make a difference. According to Emma Gannon’s new book project, A Year of Nothing, it could be as simple as staying at home.
Women Take Center Stage ➞ Data Recap: Women in Sports at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The event was a powerful platform for showcasing incredible performances and unforgettable moments and shining a light on the ongoing disparities in women’s sports. It brought much-needed visibility to the issue of gender equality, especially in the fight to close the pay gap.
Favorite Podcast of The Week ➞ Esther Perel and Jay Shetty's conversation tackles the topics of betrayal, lack of trust, and the intersection of relationships, technology, and mental health, for a fascinating exploration of the narratives that shape our relationships, the dynamics between rationalists and romantics, and what truly makes a real relationship.
Video of The Week ➞ Have you ever felt called to do something else with your life or career? How do you decide if you should make that leap? Elizabeth Gilbert on Distinguishing Between Hobbies, Jobs, Careers, & Vocation.
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars—the feature we didn’t know we needed ➞ Die with a smile
“You can’t add days to your life, but you can add life to your days.”
