I've always loved to sunbathe and feel the rays of summer's warmth on my skin. There's something recharging and healing about Vitamin D. It's always rejuvinated my mind and spirit . The sun's rich glow renews my battery - especially after a long, dark and freezing cold winter of minimal daylight as the sunsets at a ridiculous 4:30 p.m.!
So when summer arrives, I'm anxious to reveal my pale skin!
From as far back as when I was 27, older friends, family and co-workers were compelled to comment on my love for sunbathing, tanning and recharging at the beach/poolside. Being on the Facebook 'scene' and sharing my beach/pool adventures, subsequently meant I was judged by countless sexy and confident tanning posts.
"Make sure you lotion up!"
"Slather that SPF on ASAP"
And then I got comments like, "If you keep worshipping like that, your skin will look like a catcher's mitt by the time you're 50!"
Well, thanks!
I'm coming up to 45 years old and I'm definitely conscious of sunbathing responsibly, with plenty of sunscreen - reapplied every hour!!!
The fact that most people - who don't even know me - say I look younger than my 40s has nothing to do with my sunbathing extravaganzas or trying to prove old fogies wrong.
Some of it is genetic and a lot of it is also about how I take care of myself inside and out ALL YEAR ROUND!
Maybe it's a BIG coincidence that the older folks who told me to 'be careful in the sun' were overweight, had medical histories of health problems, barely exercised and ate meals that were high in everything that could cause a heart attack.
Not ONE person who commented on my sunbathing posts were fit, athletic, healthy and looked like they could coach anyone to lead a healthy lifestyle.
Coincidence? I think not!
But that doesn't matter, right?
Oddly, I noticed a decline in comments about 'taking care of myself in the sun' when 2016 and 2017 rolled around and took me to new heights.
My life as a runner became more prominent. I started posting daily about the miles I covered, the workouts I was demolishing and the races I was competing in.
Fast food delights, hanging out and eating with physically inactive friends for hours, just wasn't a part of my life anymore.
I didn't - and still don't - want to judge anyone by the lifestyle or health decisions they choose. I didn't see any of my friends/family on social media challenging themselves to be healthier or fitter as they flung comments about my sun worshipping ways. I wish I could be honest and address the real concerns I had about their physical habits as well.
I would like to have responded: "Don't worry about me wearing sunscreen - the way you're not worried about your heart, blood pressure or about the lack of exercise you're getting while you eat all that garbage!"
No...No...I couldn't have said that!
To be completely honest and satisfy the pique of your curiosity, I've already been screened by a few dermatologists in the last 10 years for skin cancer, with my last visit in 2024 yielding nothing concerning and good news! Since many cancers run in my family - I'm acutely aware of the spectrum of possibilities at hand - and I've been cautious about the damage done to my flesh.
In 2017, I had a several cosmetic moles removed and one alarming tiny red clot-like bubble on my chest safely cauterized. More recently, I had three concerning skin tags removed, which were all non-malignant protuberances I'd had my whole adult life that weren't exacerbated by the sun.
I never publicized my doctor visits to proudly tell those anti-sunbathers that I was SAFE -- and that I'd live another summer to enjoy the beach, pool or whatever recreational space I chose to get a deliciously tan shade!
As years went by and my social circle changed, I was no longer criticized by my Facebook posts as I was sun worshipping.
Perhaps because I was sweating up a storm as I was training for a half marathon or running til my hearts' content in conditions others would never consider.
Perhaps it's because people will stop judging others' lifestyle choices when they see that their target isn't naïve, that they take care of their health, and that they're going to make their own decisions no matter what finger-wagging input you interject.
Life is short and tomorrow isn't promised.
But I can promise you this - more sun worshipping captures are on the way - as well as running snapshots of a woman who's not afraid to tell it like it is!
