It is amazing to watch a gray sky clear up into a beautiful, sunny and cloud-less day. Weather can change in an instant -- one second you might be lounging by the pool and the next you’re scrambling to find rain boots and an umbrella. Thanks, Mother Nature! Something I’ve noticed that comes attached to these quick weather reversals is an indefinite change to my mood.
When the sun is shining I feel absolutely great. I tend to notice all the good things in my life when the weather’s nice -- the grass looks greener, my classes just so happen to be going well, and I notice how beautiful my campus is. I have determined that at 75 degrees all is right with the world, it's the perfect climate. I swear my food even tastes better. I smile everywhere I go, I am totally sociable, and it is much easier for my friends to convince me to go out for an adventure. Also, when it is sunny and breezy I pay a little extra attention to my outfit. A sunny day gets me motivated to put effort into my attire, something I don’t really do often. So not only do I feel good, but I look good! If only it were sunny everyday…
On the contrary, when it’s cloudy I turn into a creature that resembles Gollum from "Lord of the Rings." I pull the curtains shut, throw on some sweats, and retreat into my cave/bedroom for a day of minimal productivity and sulking. Dreary, gloomy weather has detrimental effects on all aspects of my life. I go into hibernation mode and it’s nearly impossible to drag me out from under the comforters. After all, who wants to do anything when there’s a possibility of getting swept away by the wind, knocked over by falling branches, or soaked in rainwater from a passing truck. Okay, maybe I’m a little paranoid, but I’d much rather do nothing and eat Goldfish than go outside on a yucky day. The song “Rainy Days and Mondays” by the Carpenters captures my feelings on this topic quite perfectly. Mondays are the black jelly bean of week days. No one wants them, and when it does come around, everyone is glad when it’s finally over. That’s exactly how gross, stormy weather makes me feel.
However, there are a few things I can find comfort in when the weather turns south. If it’s not a complete downpour, I love the sound of rain. The pitter-patter of raindrops hitting the sidewalk makes a lovely background soundtrack for just about anything. Rain is also a great excuse to not get ready for class -- that is, if you plan on going. No one will judge you if you roll up to class in a your jammies or a t-shirt and joggers. We understand.
