Rainy Days and Mondays Never Get Me Down

I recently learned a new word: pluviophile. A pluviophile is someone who loves rain, finding joy and peace of mind during rainy days. They rejoice in the sound and scent of rain and the beauty of a gloomy day. Count me among the ranks of pluviophiles. In general, I prefer rainy (or at least cloudy, overcast) days to sunny days. We had a very rainy spring. I didn't mind. That was followed by a dry, sunny summer. That I mind. There are exceptions, of course. If it’s summer and family and friends are visiting, then sure, I want a sunny day. If I have outdoor plans, bring on the sun. But, during regular times when I am alone, I prefer rainy, cloudy days within reason. Too much of anything in this life is not a good thing. I don’t suffer from SAD (seasonal affective disorder), even though the gray of winter can get tiresome. If anything, too many sunny days get me down. This summer has been the perfect example. For every sunny day, I would like a rainy or overcast day to counter it. It’s a balance.

Whether one is a pluviophile or not, I would guess, depends a lot on their personality style. I am fairly certain that extroverts in general prefer sunny days, whereas the introverts among us (like me, though admittedly I fall toward the middle of the spectrum) need a hefty dose of rainy, cloudy days. They suit the temperament of an introvert.

As an artist, I have the freedom of choosing how to spend my days, to a point. The life of an artist is not unlike that of a retiree. Monday is no different from Saturday. Still, work must get done; otherwise, I won’t be an artist. With sunny days, I feel a pressure to be outside, making the most of the beautiful weather. I feel guilty for staying inside and working. The feeling is exacerbated by the fact that where I live is considered a summer playground. On sunny days during the summer, it seems everyone is out on their boat enjoying themselves while I’m inside, working on the computer. I’m not envious, but I often feel as if I’m missing out on “fun.” Overcast, rainy days are more suited for creative endeavors. What else is there to do? (By the way, extra points go to those of you who got the reference in the title of this blog.) 

…………………………………….

Social events are common in the summer where I live, whether they are fundraising events, art openings, or other gatherings. A question I almost always get is, “How is your summer going?” - a seemingly innocuous and understandable question to which I invariably reply, “busy.” The reality is, it’s not true. Yes, I’m busy at times, but overall, I’m not a busy person. As a freelance artist, I find there are enough hours in the day to do what needs to be done. In fact, I have found that sometimes there are too many hours in the day, especially during the summer. For better or worse, I have carved out a life that is not overly stressful. As a creative photographer and writer, it has to be that way. I need space to think and reflect. Introspection is a huge part of being an artist. So why lie? It's a good question, one I don't have a clear answer for. It may be because it requires no explanation. Everyone is busy these days, right? The truth is always more complicated.

Another question I commonly get is, “Have you done anything exciting lately?” I hate the question, for to answer no is to feel like a loser. No, I do very little that is “exciting.” Of course, excitement is a subjective quality. I recently enjoyed a wonderful outing with my camera, exploring and photographing the sublime evening sunlight filtering through the forest, illuminating the trees and wild grasses. I was in my own little world, and it was exciting. Not in a heart-palpitating kind of way, but more a feeling of contentment and connection with the world around me. I didn’t quite enter a flow state where time passes without notice and the outside world isn’t even a thought, but it was close to it. It's a reminder to carve out more opportunities for such moments, for they are a reminder of why I do what I do.

Autumn is coming…

Thank you for subscribing to my blog. If you know of others who may enjoy it, please consider sharing it with them.

Swim Ladder