Don't Drop the Cheeseballs

Summer so far has felt like a slapped together montage, a slide show from an epic summer camp. Not a lot of context, just a series of smiley sun beaten cheeks, dripping suits, raised popsicles in the air as hard(ly) earned trophies, watermelon rinds decorate the lawn like confetti, bright warm and deep cool tones collide in every frame.

It's also been a really conflicting time because, despite these idyllic summer freeze frames, in between, we still have work. We still have deadlines, work meetings, and appointments we have to be on time for. Healthy routines and reasonable bedtimes that we are hanging onto for dear life, but they're sliding through our filmy, sunscreen-lathered grips. I can see it in every parent's face; underneath the smiley small talk is STRESS. This set change from fall routine to summer non-routine is not an easy adjustment. We're the deck crew to the yacht guests on board—yacht guests that have been waiting for this for so long, to do "nothing." Only to wake up every morning, and the first thing they say is, "I'm bored."

One of my favorite freeze frames from the summer was something I happened to spot at a friend's kid's birthday party. One of kids was running around so fast and quite literally bouncing off the walls. I always hear that expression but this was in fact the case. He was so overwhelmed with the energy of the other kids and the endless access to forbidden snacks and sweets on the cake table, one of the prized delicacies was a Costco size JUMBO bin of cheeseballs. No lid - just open for unlimited processed puffed cheese-ness. He didn't know how to pace himself so he didn't. I spotted him walking away from the table with two fistfuls of cheeseballs, he even managed to cram a couple between the knuckles. He did one of these fast but careful scampers away from the table, a pace that was slow enough where he wouldn't drop a cheeseball, but fast enough where his dad wouldn't notice how many cheeseballs he confiscated. To add to the suspenseful get away, mid-run his pants started to slide down his legs. The option of just pulling up his pants was not there. The option of asking his dad for help was definitely not there. So the only way he could keep his pants from fully falling is by run-walking with his legs as wide as possible. Stalling his pants from their fast fate to the ground. Between his raised arms gripping his golden puffs and wide legged scamper, he looked like a frantic crab. Then fully aware he can't hold this for very long he started to eat the cheeseballs between his knuckles as fast as he could.

This whole scene was only 6 seconds, no one noticed but me, but man, it really made me happy. Just a hilarious predicament that I figured I'd laugh at in the moment and forget about it. For some reason I keep thinking about this and relating to the struggle more and more. Summer is basically this. It's a time when you want to double fist cheeseballs. The problem then is then our balance is off. We don't have the hands to help very practical matters. Like go to bed at a decent time, drink water, keep our pants from falling down. So what is the price? Do you give up the fun, drop the cheeseballs, to do the responsible thing? Or do you tighten your grip, widen your stance, and eat your cheeseballs as fast as you can. Worry about the consequences later.

We've really been struggling as a family to maintain balance this summer. I found myself starting to beat myself up on those days when we didn't have enough structure, and the balance was off—we all had two fistfuls of cheeseballs. On these days, all the things I usually do for my self-care and my sanity, like my quiet time and workout routine, are compromised. I decided, though, not to be too hard on myself on these days. It's okay to get caught up, feel yourself slipping and start crab walking during this weird transition. It's okay. You will find your rhythm.

This week, and really the rest of summer, let the studio be like your belt, snatched waistline, during this loosey-goosey time. In class I refer to balance all the time. Not just working our physical balance, where our muscles are making micro deals and negotiations, but also in our personal lives. Don't beat yourself up on the slip ups, your summer scrap book would look pretty boring without them. Just notice them. If it's something that tipped you too far, and you don't like how it ended, take accountability and move differently. Maybe next time with a tighter drawstring, a dowel for support, and only ONE fistful of cheeseballs. There you go - balance.

Excited to make your bodies sweat, smile, and move like a wide-legged crab to balance your summer.

XO,

Celeste