I have been all over the place lately. My mind has been scattered, stale, and stagnant. When my cat got sick back in May it threw me for a bit of a loop. Three months of daily morning medications, non stop monitoring of symptoms and bathroom habits, and trying new foods. This meant I wasn’t finding much time for myself and what I enjoy doing. It took another month before I felt comfortable leaving him alone for a night. I can blame my anxiety for that one.
I would go to the ends of the world for this cat, and I am thankful he is stable and doing well, but admittedly I have felt a bit lost as to where my focus should be directed.
I couldn’t see much past the basics, going to work, and spending time with Little. I knew I needed to spend some time out of my house, and while Duncan is a huge support to me, we have differing desires for how to spend our free time. We compromise most weekends, but in an attempt to let Duncan off the hook (because let’s face it, if someone isn’t overly interested in hiking giant mountains, it’s not fun for anyone) I befriended my coworker Caitlin.
It’s no secret I enjoy spending most of my free time outside. It’s not only physically beneficial for me, but mentally as well. I thrive knowing I have weekend plans to hike a mountain or travel somewhere new, and I’m kicking myself for taking so long to ask Caitlin to hangout outside of work. We have been working closely together for around two years now, but I knew she kept to herself on her weekends.
We slowly learned over time that we had similar humor, similar interests, and there was something about her I knew I would click with. She invited me to go kayaking with her back in June and from there I knew it was game on. We talked about hiking a local trail in passing one day, and I decided to make it happen. Since our first hike together in July we have been making a habit of hiking as often as we can. She is up for any hike I throw her way, and it has been so helpful for my mental health to have someone I can go on bigger adventures with.
Making friends as an adult is hard. There is no way around that. Making friends as an emotionally charged introvert is ever harder. I am very sensitive to peoples energies and I can almost immediately tell if I am not going to vibe with someone. As children we are told to be friends with anyone and everyone, but as an adult I have become the polar opposite. If I don’t like your energy, I will not spend time with you.
This is nothing to apologize for, not everyone is for everyone and that’s ok.
Whenever I am feeling stuck or stale there is usually a correlation. I am either not doing the things that bring me joy, or I don’t have a community of people around me who shares similar interests. My job will never be my source of joy, or purpose, therefor it’s imperative for me to continue finding ways to connect with the world and the people around me outside of where I make money.
I wasn’t sure if I would have many summer adventures this year. Keeping close to Little has been my main priority the last handful of months, but I have been able to sprinkle a hike in most weekends since Caitlin and I started hiking together. We have a few more planned, some of which Duncan will tag along on, and I am directing my focus on enjoying the little things in life.
This first hike Caitlin and I did was one I had hiked back in 2014, and then again in 2015. It had been so long I didn’t remember anything about it. This was my first “bigger” hike in a while, and it felt good to get my lungs working again. The sun was out for the first half of this hike, but as we reached the top the clouds moved in, allowing sporadic pockets of views. I made sure to give Caitlin the best view of my face, a look reserved for true friends.
As it turns out I had summer adventures after all. I hiked, I picked blueberries and blackberries, I ran, I rode my bike, I read three books, I took countless evening and morning drives with Little to see horses and sheep and chickens, I went on walks with friends, I spent time with people I love, and I never had to stray too far from my child. I am excited for fall and the hiking to come, and I am excited to continue finding pockets of joy in the simplicity of my happily mundane life.
Q: Did you travel far this summer? Let me live through you.
31 thoughts on “Summer”
Sheree
Of course I travelled, read all about on my blog!
Brittany
Your travels bring me such joy!! I aspire to live like you and your husband one day. 🤗
Sheree
Thanks Brittany, mist kind of you
sixechojnz
Take me on hikes with you!!!
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Brittany
You don’t want to leave when I’ve been leaving. 🤣
Rootchopper
Hello fellow introvert. I too have that sixth sense about people. If the initial vibe isn’t right and I ignore it, invariably I find myself regretting making the social connection.
I’d sure like to hike out west but my back seems to disagree with my brain.
Somehow I managed to go somewhere far this year and ended up right back at home. Sure was fun.
Brittany
I think if I had the courage to bike in the way that you have, hiking would take an immediate back seat.
Liz H-H
“I made sure to give Caitlin the best view of my face, a look reserved for true friends.”
Beautiful! And you both are blessed…
Brittany
Having a good gal pal is so underrated!
Liz H-H
But so critical for balance!
Some Small Things
Just the same — we never leave Izzy for more than a day. And even then, we come home to check on him!
Glad you were able to do some hiking. I love it too, but I’m not very athletic to say the least. But I make sure I do my steps on the trail behind my house every day…
Hope Little is doing well. 🙂
Brittany
Walking is an amazing form of movement. Most days I just count my walking at work (I have a physical job) as my workout!
Amy
That first photo is beautiful! All of the greenery, flowers, and clouds… So serene. I can understand why you find hiking to be so beneficial to your well-being. (And whenever you want to try some trails in Tahoe, just let me know! 😉 ) I still love how you take your sweet cat on car rides, and I’m glad to hear he is stable. He’s so lucky to have you, Brittany! ♡
Brittany
I just love how much he loves to get out in the car. It is so comical to me. I’m really savoring each day with him.
I have a friend who lives right next to Petco Park, and he was telling me to come stay in his guest room. It clicked that you guys are probably close to each other after seeing your baseball photos. 🤣
Now more than ever I am dying to travel somewhere, I hope soon I feel less separation anxiety for my child.
Amy
That’s really sweet he loves riding in the car so much! It’s those little things that make us smile and bring us the most joy, isn’t it? 🥰
I can understand the struggle about wanting to travel right now. I’m in a similar boat. My dog is 15 years old, and I’m nervous about leaving her. The main travel plans I have are for road trips where I can bring her with me. I’m sure my situation isn’t entirely rational… But I’m okay with that at the moment. Our pets are so important! ♡
But… If/when you make it to San Diego, I’d LOVE to see you!! That’s such a small world about your friend living right next to PetCo Park. It’s a fun area!
Brittany
I don’t think you are being irrational at all. Not even slightly. As much as I wish our babies could live forever, we know they can’t. I would rather sacrifice all travel for even a few years, than to live with myself after my baby dies knowing I missed out on precious time. Call me crazy and over the top. 🤣🤪
15 is old for a pet (holla for our pets being same age!), but especially for a dog. I think you’re doing the right thing, and she will love going with you on these adventures in her golden years. ❤️
Amy
Not crazy and over the top whatsoever — you read my mind!! It’s so worth it in my eyes too. ♡
I’m lucky that she’s a really small dog, so (in theory!) she should live longer than larger breeds. I’m really hoping that’s the case. She still acts like a puppy, at the very least… Definitely NOT a girl who likes to act her age! 😂
gpavants
Hi Brittany,
We went to Oakland to see my son, wife, and new grandbaby and to Seattle to see my son and his girlfriend. Spent most of summer home. Take care, Gary
Brittany
Wonderful time with family! An excellent summer you’ve had. Congrats on the new grandbaby.
gpavants
Keep adventuring. I am trying.
thisblonde
I hope the fall season brings you plenty of hikes to fill your cup. Such a good point about the energy of others. I’d add if something drains your energy, it’s good to note and redirect your attention so it doesn’t bring you down!
Brittany
Thank you, and good add. I’m all for redirecting. As many times as it takes. 🤣
Roy McCarthy
Ah, what an open, honest and ultimately happy post. I’m a confirmed non-traveller but I still enjoy destinations and the great outdoors vicariously through others. One of my favourite YouTubers is an English woman – Abbie Barnes – who produces quite brilliant hiking/camping videos, this despite the fact that she struggles with her mental health and chronic back pain. She is quite open about this but it only adds to the quality of her productions.
Brittany
I love the sound of her videos, I will have to check them out. Thank you for sharing!
Blessed Queen 👑
This photo says so many beautiful things, I wish I would join this hike ☺️
Brittany
It was such a lovely day. 🤗
Blessed Queen 👑
I can tell from the photo 🥰 being an introvert I like such hobbies, this is such a blessing ☺️🥰
harrisonthehorserider
“We are all travelers in the wilderness of the world, and the best we can find in our travels is an honest friend.” – Robert Louis Stevenson.
Brittany
Am I the honest friend? 🤣 What a quote, thanks “Harrison.”
Pree
Making friends as an adult IS hard! I haven’t had much luck in Austin so far…lots of flakes, busy schedules, so props to you for making it work! At least my bf will do stuff with me haha!
My sister and I were in Kauai for a week in August! seems like ages ago, and we were sick for the two weeks after lol
Brittany
Oh no!! I’m sorry you got sick, but thankfully it didn’t happen while you were there.