5 Things I’m Focusing on This Summer
All Photography By Hannah Gibson
Memorial Day has come and gone which means Summer is officially in full swing. With my personal life being nothing short of booked and busy, I’m highlighting five practices I’m planning on focusing this Summer. Nothing deep, just little practices that I think will result in positive affects on my overall mental and physical health.
Wearing Sunscreen
The need to up my sunscreen wearing has nothing to do with minimizing sunburn, but just know, it’s wildly untrue and quite the misconception that African Americans do not have to wear sunscreen because we never burn. I want to focus on being more consistent and intentional with wearing sunscreen in order to minimize the appearance of my Hyperpigmentation. I’ve suffered from acne for years. I’m talking well into adulthood. Within the last couple of years and with help from my dermatologist, my acne has been on a downward sloop.
However, I still have acne scaring on my cheeks or hyperpigmentation. My dermatologist has told me time and time again that the best way to rid my skin of acne scaring is simply by wearing sunscreen on a regular basis. I use a Mary Kay Moisturizer that’s SPF 30, but I put it on in the morning and that’s it. I recently bought a couple of bottles of Supergoop Sunscreen to keep it in my purse and car. The instructions on the bottle advises users to apply the sunscreen every 80 minutes. It’s going to be a trial and error situation, but I really want to get rid of these scars to get that smooth, smooth skin.
Schedule 3 Peloton Rides A Week
Blame it on the pandemic, but I finally purchased a Peloton bike last year after years of pining for one. Its convenience, instructors, and variety of classes make the whole experience of owning one worth it. In those earlier months, I used to try to ride it everyday only to realize I was burning myself out. Last week, I decided to only take three cycling classes. Having done so proved to be a game changer for me. I know I should have known better, but breaking up my rides throughout the week seems to be my speed.
It’s just enough that I feel as if I’m getting it in without feeling like I’m working myself too much. I also plan to optimize those 5 minute warm up and cool down classes with each of my weekly scheduled rides. I dabbled in a few 5 minute warm up and cool down rides and I felt even more prepared for a longer ride/felt as if I fully completed a class by cooling down after it. I’m chasing a century ride and I think with these few practices, I’ll get there sooner rather than later.
Tackling My To Be Read Pile
Since I’m apart of four bookclubs, I’ve put pressure on myself to read each of their selected monthly picks before I read anything of my choosing. This Summer, I’m changing that. I plan to read what I want first. When Summer hits, I’m more in the mood to read all things romance. Nothing sounds more perfect than sitting out by the pool, the sun shining overhead, and reading a steamy, page turner rom-com. It just puts me in the best of moods. When I only read bookclub picks, one—I’m not always reading monthly selections that put me in good moods and two—I tend to be less interested in what I’m reading and more focused on keeping up with what the bookclub reads.
I do not plan on only reading rom-com based books, but rather reading books I already own in an effort to tackle my growing To Be Read, or tbr, pile and keep up my reading interest. I know I’ll have a wondering eye here and there and I’m not abandoning the bookclubs I’m a part, but I’m choosing to focus on reading what I want in order to avoid deep reading slumps. Reading is a true form of solace for me and I refuse to ruin that by becoming disenchanted with it by chasing a number goal or bookclub.
Drinking More Water
For the most part, I drink water pretty regularly. The benefits (I.e. energy boost, effective digestion, and cognitive function) are real. I own and use my Heathlish Water Bottle to aid in my keeping track of the amount of water I’m drinking a day. After using this tool, I determined I’m suppose to be drinking 74 ounces of water a day or two and a one-third Healthish Water Bottles. Where 74 ounces is my number, I want to focus on adding at least 32 ounces more to that daily total or one more full Healthish Water Bottle. Meeting the bare requirement is great, but I want to increase it because, well why not? Water is just good for you. I feel better after I drink it and if it allows me to put down the occasional lemonade or soda, I’m down.
Learn and Optimize MLW’s Pinterest Page
MLW already has a Pinterest, but it’s not organized or filled with much. This Summer, I want to focus on adding to it and learning different ways I can share MLW content with those that choose to follow along and engage. Yes, it’s another outlet for folks to become familiar and follow all things MLW, but it’ll also serve as another tool I can put into my digital work belt as having learned. The more I challenge myself to learn about creative outlets/platforms in which to share my voice, story, and mind, the more therapeutic it feels.
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