last week i was in a funk. sometimes i can’t pinpoint exactly what brings them on, or why, at times, i’m less equipped to just let them roll off my back. various things were getting me down, none terribly big, but things nevertheless. they get all of us down. blah blah… blah blah blahhhhh. anyway, it’s those times when i have the least amount of energy to just get up and get out of the house that are the times when it would benefit me the most (captain obvious). after parker woke up from his nap, i decided to do just that. i should probably have been getting dinner ready, or at least thinking about it because there was virtually nothing in the house to work with. (no food definitely equals zero inspiration.) despite that, i scooped up the beach toys, some towels, lindsey made a salsa, and we piled in the car to go to the beach for just a bit.
the beach was nearly empty, it wasn’t terribly hot, and we laid out our towels, dropped our buckets, and claimed our spot. it was perfect except for the occasional no-see-um. lindsey and i got to talk without interruption while parker scooped and dumped sand with his buckets. i always find it so admirable when parents get out of the house with each child solo. the reality of it happening regularly these days is pretty small. seriously, parents. how do you do it? sometimes i find that we’re all just co-existing, flitting about quickly, without actually checking in with one another. so, this was really nice. we talked about animals, how camp went (it just ended this week!), the fact that massachusetts’ seagulls are so much more polite and less pushy than their new jersey cousins, and enjoyed the salsa she made. it’s in regular rotation at our house, especially in the summertime. loved by all.
we walked down to the water and got our feet wet. parker ran up the beach away from each oncoming wave. he acts like he’s scared of them but has a big smile on his face the whole time and doesn’t mind it too much if they catch him. we did some handstands, or i should say i did. lindsey attempted but hasn’t nailed it yet. “use your abs! center yourself!” i shout as she struggles. we both laugh. i happened to hold one long enough for a picture but they don’t last too long. parker chases the occasional seagull. it was time to head off the beach and think about dinner but it certainly did clear my head. maybe it’s only temporary, but nevertheless, seeing things bigger than you that have been coming and going forever and ever helps. things that’ll continue coming and going no matter what happens around them.
on the way home, i stopped at a little grocer to get some food for dinner. it was nathaniel’s last dinner before going back for r.a. training. (do you know he’s going to be a junior this year?! is that not insane?) i bought pre-marinated steak tips (something i never do), green beans, and a peach pie. going back to college food deserves a good send off and i knew steak tips would be all too welcome. on the way home, icona pop’s “i love it” came on the radio, a song which lindsey loves right now, and we listened really loud as she sang along (if it’s ever the adult version, i shout obnoxiously over the swears, naturally.). i adjusted my rearview mirror so i could see her and parker in the back seat. both of them danced to the music and i thought, “shit bridget. life’s too short. that funk needs to go.” it’s not always that easy but i certainly do realize that they shouldn’t stick around long, that the blessings are everywhere. even though i say that, funks definitely have their place and are necessary sometimes. i had mine. i’ll have another again. but for now, funk be gone.
and if you’re in need of a great summer salsa (to be eaten before august’s end!), here’s the recipe. it’s really perfect for bringing to a friend’s, to the beach, to wherever. it packs a punch more than most salsa. call it a small meal, if you’re so inclined. thank you, black beans!
summer salsa
1 jar of pace picante salsa (it’s not a delicious chunky salsa, more of a base)
1 can of rotel tomatoes, optional
1 can black beans, drained
1 can shoepeg corn (or a good handful of any frozen corn, thawed)
a cup, more or less, of shredded cheddar
mix and dip!
Alex says
First, delightful salsa recipe. I like it. Second, I feel like the beach is magical. It just makes everything that much better. That much more clear. It's a great place.
blm says
so glad you were able to clear your head. i'm hoping i can manage a trip to the beach myself before summer ends, for much the same reason.
AbbieBabble says
I'm going to have to make that salsa ASAP, I think.
Isn't it amazing how a trip to the water can clear a funk away? I'm so glad it worked for you!
theskinnyluv says
Always have to get out of the house to shake a funk. I feel ya. Good reminder though for the next time one of those weeks rolls in. 🙂
Devon says
I feel calmer just reading about your little escape. There's nothing quite like the ocean to help you find perspective (and sometimes to help you find what you didn't know you were looking for!) Glad you're feeling less "funky". I've definitely had some of those moments this summer too.
Liz/happymommy says
Love your little beach get away…..wish i had a beach that close to me where I could just hop in the car and clear my mind there, looks like the perfect place to do so!
Chelsea says
That sounds like a dreamy day. I'm totally like you, when I'm feeling down I can barely get myself dressed and showered, let alone out of the house. It's so true though, getting out is the surest way to feel better. Getting alone time with our kids is something we try for (last school year we had a set schedule and every month Wyatt and I would alternate taking Tate out on a date). It had to be on the calendar, scheduled, and prioritized for. Mostly it helped to have it written down, because then Tate sees it and constantly reminds us:) She holds us to it! Ugh, it's been much harder this year so far though, since now I feel we need to add the boys to the mix- we never get one on one time with them. When we do have it, it's SO SO fun and they are almost different kids. Time to make another schedule for this school year I guess. Now, that I've taken time to write out all my thoughts on the subject, you've re-motivated me to make it a priority! Thanks;)
bridget says
YES. there are no issues/grievances when we're doing one on one time because they just feel so heard! it should be a mandatory thing parents must do in order to have kids 🙂
that video of them making a mess this morning… priceless.
{annie_loo} @ The Farrar Four says
I'm glad you're out of the funk for now. FUNKS are no fun. I woke up in one. I know why and I"m going to try to resolve today. Though I may end up in a bigger funk after trying. I'll do my part though! I wish we were close enough to the beach! That's a nice luxury you have! The salsa sounds delish! I make something similar, 'cowboy caviar'. It's DELISH!
Anyways, Happy Monday Friend!!!
xoxoxo
bridget says
good luck resolving it, annie!!! (cowboy caviar – i love the name of that)
{annie_loo} @ The Farrar Four says
I did my part. Bait not yet taken, but I've done my part. Tis all I can do! 😉
Yes! Cowboy Caviar! It's DELISH! It's on my Pinterest if you want to see the recipe! similar ingredients, with the addition of italian dressing, black eyed peas, etc. DELISH I tell ya!
Kaity says
funks are the worst! I hate hate hate when I find myself caught in one. living near the beach sounds like a pretty handy solution though. there's just something about the ocean that brings me peace of mind – too bad it's six hours away…
also, look at Nathaniel being all fancy! was he an RA last year as well?
bridget says
he was! a fancy RA two years in a row!
SHAYNA says
I too was in a funk last week! Mine didn't leave as easily but, I was glad to see it gone! Here's to a new week & no funk! 🙂
Megan says
funks have been going around. I had a couple days there where i struggled too. They come and go. Props to you for doing something proactive about it instead of watching marathons on tv of the real housewives.
not that I did that or anything.
Jennifer says
Hoorah for imprompt trips to the beach to cure funks. Sometimes all you need is to listen to the waves to feel better. Funks are the worst esp when you don't know why. Also I love picante sauce over salsa. Unless it's fresh pico I hate the texture of jar salsa so I throw mine into the food processor or blend with the hand blender. Makes it pefectly smooth. My MIL thought I was a genius the first time she saw me do this.
bridget says
putting it in the food processor… i love that idea. when we go to good mexican places, their salsa usually is nearly pureed anyway so why didn't i think of that?!
Jennifer says
I know right? It's one of those things where once you think about it, it becomes a little obvious. Loved Chilis (ok I know they aren't really mexican) salsa so why not puree it like they do?
Laura {happily ever} Parker says
There is no better cure for a funk than the ocean. Glad you were able to find some peace at the beach!
adesertgirl says
I hate the funk. It reminds me of two things: Golden Girls (hi, I'm Amy – 20-something going on eighty) when Blanche talks about feeling "magenta" – she hates the feeling and the color. And Breakfast at Tiffany's with Holly Golightly's explanation of the "mean reds".
I hope your funk has passed. A beach day had to be a step in the right direction.
-Amy
bridget says
ha, golden girls reference. love it.
ilene @ muchloveilly says
weeks like that are the worst…but the beach? the absolute best!
heather{land} says
Funks be gone! My happy-chase-away-the-blahs-place back home was always at the beach. Any beach will do really, but my special spot was always backed up against a log in the sand. Now, temporarily (ahem. 8 years temporary) in the Midwest, I don't have any beaches to chase away the inevitable funks. Boo.
p.s. your beach looks lovely. Boston-area is definitely on my bucket-list.
bridget says
as well it should be – it's wonderful here! it's time you got yourself on a beach 🙂
Christina Steward says
I always enjoy your writing Bridget. Even when you're sharing something that isn't necessarily all rainbows and sunshine (like being in a funk), and even if i'm not in the same moment as you at the time i'm reading, I always feel connected and can relate. I love that you're able to remind me of how I feel in similar moments and how I can always find my way out. I'm remembering this post for another day, a funk kind of day, because funks are just inevitable. Oh, and thanks for the salsa recipe. I could eat salsa all day every day!
bridget says
thanks so much christina! that's so nice of you to say.
Tisse says
I love this post. I found myself in a funk last week… kind of an all-week-long-complaining-about-nothing little piece of annoyance. I love what you said about how things bigger than yourself always help to chase the funk away… so true, my friend. So true. And alas, my funk has thankfully come and gone as well. Much in the same shit-life-is-too-short-snap-out-of-it sort of way as yours. As always, thanks for the good read. Oh, and also I made the sweet potato black bean burritos from a few posts ago…. SOOOO good! Even my meat eating husband got on board. Any meal that uses two pots or less is a godsend in my book so thank youuuu 🙂
Nicole Marie says
the beach is always the place i go when i need a mental/emotional lift… seriously the ocean calms my soul