Nantucket SUMMER Energy
And POOF just like that 9 days on Nantucket have come and gone! I am always amazed at how quickly time flies on this island. It always does and always has even as a little kid. The first day seems to drag by and then seconds later I am packing up my suitcase and heading home. The magical powers of Nantucket are REAL and I am so grateful that I can now call this place home.
I have been coming up here a lot since my Mom moved up here permanently in October. My Mom called me a few weeks ago and asked to come up and be with her and I couldn’t say NO to her or to Nantucket, especially during Summer. I love to be with her and help around the house, run errands with her (we go to the dump at least 3 - 4 times a week while I’m here), eat her delicious meals (it’s always better when Mom prepares dinner), and just soak up this time with her.
My Mom means the world to me and I would do anything for her, so when she needs me to come up, I come up. It is hard to live up here alone, but I am grateful for the friends that she has, my brother, a beautiful home to live in, it is safe, and it is absolutely beautiful up here right now. I mean Nantucket is its own world 30 miles out to sea and you have to learn to adjust to the seasons, the people, the elements. The winter months can be hard, but the energy up here in the summer is chaotic, but also relaxing if you know how to navigate the craziness. There are so many cars and people EVERYWHERE, so hence more cooking at home or friend’s houses, more walking to the beach instead of driving, working out early at the gym, picking up donuts before 8:00 AM with the contractors, before the vacationers arrive. If you know how to do it, it all is GOOD!
My energy on this trip was different though…When I write about Nantucket in this space, I always talk about how it teaches me something. I am in my element here and I kind of let the island take over and do its thing, which typically involves healing, reflecting, slowing down, focusing on WHAT really matters, and being present. There was a lot of “adulting” on this trip and for the first time in years and years it wasn’t about coming up here to party, it was about being with my Mom. Not only was I taking care of myself, but I was taking care of her. I needed a break from the Charleston party scene. I needed to stop watching so much TV and listening to talk radio. I needed to clear my mind and soul and be in the moment and enjoy everything that Nantucket has to offer. And I did just that, so that I could be present with her and be a better person when I head home to Shannon and Lucy.
Like all my other Nantucket trips there is the mix of working out, the food, and soaking up the little things that bring me joy! Each trip is a little different, but each trip has its purpose and I know that every time I venture up here and every time I venture back down south.
WORKOUTS
I LOVE the Nantucket Health Club! I worked there and taught classes awhile ago and I keep going back. It is a great environment to workout in; the staff is accommodating and friendly; and the people who train there are inspiring and fun to workout alongside. The regulars are my favorite and bring a lot of positivity! It’s FUN and that is what you need sometimes when trying to workout. It is a small space, but it has everything you need. And on Nantucket there is no need for a big ass corporate gym. No thanks!
I switched up my workouts, so that I would be home when Mom woke up, because this trip was about being with her. It gets light here very early, so I was at the gym by 6:30 AM. I didn’t mind the early workout, plus I was able to have my morning “coffee talk” with Patti, then come home, fuel up, and do whatever Mom and I decided to do for the day.
I focused on strength training this trip! I got two long runs in and my daily walks, but lifting heavier weights was what felt good, so I went with it. When I am up here I average anywhere from 15K - 20K steps a day…WOOT WOOT! Walking up here is easy and relaxing…it’s like a quick therapy session for me, when I am able to turn off the noise and just breathe, reflect, think, and just take some time for myself. The sun and salty ocean air always heals and cures ALL THE THINGS!
I created some great workouts, which you can see HERE and HERE. These are two workouts that you can do ANYWHERE and require minimal equipment. If you have any questions, just reach out!
FOOD
This trip wasn’t really about the food! I didn’t come up here stressing or worrying about it. My ED didn’t flare up ONCE. I didn’t binge. I didn’t restrict myself. I ate what I wanted to eat and what my body was craving. My one random and very loud craving was BANANAS! Like where the hell did that come from? I typically may have 1 banana every two weeks, but up here I was eating one almost every morning after my workouts. They tasted so DAMN good! We cooked a lot, ate at home, and had dinner with friends. It all felt good and tasted good. And I’m proud of myself for not letting anything trigger my ED on this trip. I have come a long way and that is some damn good work!
DOING THINGS THAT BRING ME JOY
It was the simple things…walking to the beach…reading reading and more reading…eating sandwiches on the patio…waking up early and enjoying my cup of coffee while watching the sunrise…taking pictures of all the flowers…connecting with some of Shannon’s clients…I did it all and they all filled me up!
As always, Nantucket teaches me something new while I’m here and this time had its moments, but in the end I am leaving with a new perspective, new creative ideas, and new outlooks! Call me sappy, emotional, or whatever, but this place is magical to me, because it was magical to my Dad and his love for this island has spilled into my heart and soul.
See you soon Nantucket!
xoxo
