caryn hewlett

Bonjour, everyone!

August is here (already?) and the summer sunshine came out to play. I, personally, have soaked up my last few days before going back to the classroom tomorrow.

This means I have been walking outside, lounging in the hammock, reading books, sleeping in, listening to music, staying up way too late watching movies, and indulging in some champagne.

Champagne is for special occasions, you say? LIFE is a special occasion. If you are alive + well, celebrate it in whatever way you see fit!

On my walks, I see the flowers blooming – and it’s my favorite time of year: Naked Ladies’ Season! They have all emerged from the ground to celebrate life in their vibrant pink forms. Stop and enjoy them for a moment, live for this moment.

This post is very much about celebrating the little things, because, as the title says – Life’s a beach. None of us knows what is around the corner, and in Covid-land, life and the “real world” can seem particularly daunting. I am definitely worried about re-entering the classroom tomorrow, and what that means not only for me, but for my students, fellow teachers, and all of our family, friends, and people we interact with. We are all so interconnected, which is such a beautiful thing – that has been made frightening due to the virus. I am scared, I’ll admit, but I’m going to put on a brave face in the classroom, clean with all my might, and in my off hours, I am going to live my life to the fullest.

I am going to color in my adult coloring book, and I may even take up painting again. I am going to read books, and watch movies. And go to the beach. And hike in the forest. And work out (man, I have been loving my home workouts lately). And bake. And drink the champagne. I am going to do whatever makes me feel the most alive in my free time.

One of my very favorite teachers always starts off the year by introducing her students to this quote, by Mary Oliver: “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

Your life is wild and precious, and it’s true: this is your one life. So tell me, what are you going to do today that makes you feel alive? Embrace your life. I promise, it will embrace you back.

xoxo