My Unexpected 2-Month Summer Adventure

This summer has been an adventure in resilience and recovery.

Keep reading to learn more about what I’ve been exploring this season and gather new inspiration for joyful living.

This post was originally shared on my newsletter, The Explore List.

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It has been quite the summer

It's funny how something that starts out frustrating can bloom into something beautiful.

I have been dealing with a couple of health issues for the past two years.

One of those issues is something my doctor and I believe is Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS).

It’s tricky to formally diagnose since it requires bloodwork during an active reaction, but the pattern fits. Regular things like dish soap and gas stoves, plus stronger things like smoke and paint, can give me a severe issue.

I’ve had trips to the ER from all sorts of triggers in the past two years.

It's a lot to deal with, but I have found ways to live life while avoiding different triggers.

Things were going great, and I was managing it well...

Until a construction project started in my neighborhood this past May.

Just like that, I was propelled into a 2-month-long adventure.

I was starting my day,

when I saw the giant concrete pouring truck parked on my street.

Once I realized they were pouring the concrete right away, my heart sank. I had to jump up from my house in that instant and leave my neighborhood to avoid a serious reaction to the fumes.

That was the day before Mother's Day. And from that day, I was on an adventure that lasted until after the 4th of July.

Other renovation projects popped up in my neighborhood:

county projects on my street,
neighbors getting home repairs,
and even projects in my own house.

By this point, my parents decided to use the opportunity to get a few things done at home, too--things we haven't been able to fix since I started having MCAS issues.

I was already away from home, so it was better to do our repairs then rather than repeat the whole ordeal later.

The bright side of all this construction? I had the chance to fully focus on healing.

I poured into myself

Once I was settled in an Airbnb, I had the chance to rest. Deeply. I think I slept the whole day when my brother and I first moved in.

I focused on my health:

Lots of healthy foods and drinks.
Lots of slow-flow stretch routines on YouTube. (@Yes2Next is one of the YouTube fitness channels I've been enjoying.)
Lots of walking in the fresh air.

I felt so much better. More energized and rested.

My body got the chance to recover without managing household chemicals every day.

I had fun adventures

I got to enjoy the National Harbor at the start of their summer season. Free summer activities happen there almost every day.

My family also took two trips while construction happened and the dust settled.

First, we got to visit Williamsburg, VA. It was a weekend of sightseeing at the Busch Gardens theme park and other tourist areas.

Then, we took a road trip to Orlando, FL for more summer fun.

After several weeks of deep recovery, I was so much better that I could handle busier experiences around Orlando. I got to try new foods, enjoy the Florida sunshine, and even spend an evening at Disney World!

Learning to go with the flow

I learned so much about the power of rest and adaptability through all of these experiences.

As much as I had a completely different plan for my summer, one where I pushed myself harder in work and routine, this new path was what I really needed.

I feel stronger, more healed, more rested, and honestly lighter.

Sometimes, you don’t have a clear view of where the road is going.
Don't assign negative meaning to your journey before you even start. You never know where you will end up.

So proud to say I am back home! And I'm very happy to get back to sharing everyday adventure ideas with you.

If you’re summer was unexpected, too, don’t worry. It's never too late to savor the season.

Start exploring your summer to the fullest. I created a mini guide to help you choose your summer adventure.

FULL FEED

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