Creative Meanderings

I love the sun. I love warm weather. I love to sit poolside and tan.

However.

I do not love to sweat. I do not love to overheat. I do not love temperatures much over 85 degrees F or 30 degrees C.

People always say, “Yea, but you lived in the desert for 9 years!” Or, “Isn’t Japan hot and humid? You lived there for a long time, didn’t you?” It’s true on both accounts, but the statements are not questions as to how I survived the temperatures, which is key to my coping.

I survived nine years in the desert because one does not ever really need to be outside for very long. If I did spend days in the sun by the pool, it was usually in a hotel where I could be pampered in the heat. Or, I went to the beach, but it was not the same kind of heat – it was dry.

I survived Japan’s heat and humidity by going to AC shops or cafes and riding the trains. Plus, I complained A LOT! 🤪

Of course, I have some comfort in knowing that the recent 40plus degrees C / 105plus degrees F temperatures are not the norm in late June/early July. However, I do know that August is supposed to be tryingly warm for residents. So, I was somewhat mentally prepared for one month to be hot, but not necessarily all three of the summer months. 😛

To add to the joy of the climate weather, I believe that my peri-menopausal symptoms have been kicked into action.

Just when I think I am coping with the heat, my head starts to heat up and sweat forms inside my hair – not just on my brow, but actually around the crown of my head so that I know the heat is coming from inside rather than out. The wave subsides fairly quickly, thankfully, but there are many waves throughout the day. Therefore, I have found the only way to cope is to sit in my bedroom/office with the AC and fan on and window shutters mostly closed so that the dark keeps the room at bearable temperatures.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the healthiest way to spend my days. So…I’m trying to ensure that I get to the pool in the mornings to appreciate the cooler air and remind myself that the heat is not forever. 🤓 I also attempt to get back out in the early evening when the heat is on the decline into the night air. The starting and somewhat ending of my days – at least the hours of productivity – keeps me from going too far into a state of depression, isolation, or negative spin. It’s still not an easy thing, but given how my previous posts were sounding, I think that doing whatever I can to stay in the light is for the best! ❤️

In any case, the temperatures are forecasted to drop quite a bit over the next week. They will increase again, but it seems for the known forecasted future we have a bit of a reprieve from these peak heatwaves. 🥵 Phew! 😅

~T 🔥🐉♋️