HARMONY - on hold

SEVEN - LIVIN' THING

LIVIN' THING - ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA

"It's a livin' thing, it's a terrible thing to lose."

ARIEL CALLAWAY

The sky is a perfect shade of blue, not a cloud in sight, and the sun is already high in the sky, warming everything it touches. It's that kind of day where the heat feels just right, the kind that makes you want to close your eyes and let the world melt away. It's the first week of May, and I've got the whole day to myself. No work, no obligations, no need to check my phone every five minutes. Just me and the beach.

I've been craving a beach day for weeks. Lately, everything's felt a little too fast-paced, and I was in desperate need of a day to just relax and catch my breath. Luckily, with therapy, I've been able to learn where my breaking point is, and long before I get there I step back and analyze how I can take care of myself. I just wish I could go back to my younger self and tell her a little self care can go a long way.

A hidden gem tucked away in Malibu has been my go-to for years since I accidentally stumbled upon it. Even on the hottest summer days, I'm the only one here. Granted, the 'beach' isn't very large, some may not even consider it an actual beach. But it has sand, easy access to the water and lots of privacy.

I pull my car into a small dirt lot, the salty breeze already tousling my hair. I grab my beach bag from the backseat, and feel the excitement bubbling in my chest. A full day to do whatever I want? Bliss. My towel, my book, my earbuds– everything I need is packed, and I can already taste the relaxation waiting for me.

I walk the covered path that leads down to the beach the sound of the waves growing louder with each step. My feet sink into the warm sand, and I feel a sense of peace wash over me. It's one of those rare moments where I can just be.

I find my perfect spot, far enough up the small beach that the tide won't sneak up on me. It's quiet and serene, just the sound of the waves crashing and the occasional seagull overhead. I lay out my towel along the sand, before finding my spot on top of it. My bikini feels good against my skin, a simple green two-piece that shows off just enough but still feels comfortable. It's warm enough to feel the sun kiss my body, but not too hot. After applying a generous amount of sunscreen, I lay back, close my eyes and let the sun wrap around me like a soft blanket.

I know I've dozed off for a while when I wake and part of my body is covered by the shade of a tree. I blink my eyes open, the sun is still high in the sky, the tree just has me at a bit of a disadvantage. I scoot my towel and roll onto my stomach, deciding to take a break to read a book I've been itching to dig into. It's the first in a romance series, recommended to me by Lena, she quite literally won't shut up about it.

I don't know too much about it except for that it's a "slow burn, forbidden romance that makes your pussy hurt when they first kiss," Lena's words, not mine. I've never been one to read romance, I love a good fiction read, but this one is definitely outside my normal range of books.

I fly through the first pages, pleasantly hooked right away. Music plays softly in my earbuds, a perfect combination with the sound of the waves and the cool breeze.

It doesn't take long for me to start to heat up, and while I wouldn't be caught dead swimming in the Pacific, I don't hesitate to just dip my toes and wipe some of the salty water over my arms and stomach to cool me down. It sends a brief shiver down my spine, but it's refreshing, and I take myself and a bit of sand back over to my towel.

Droplets of water still cling to my skin as I prop myself up on my elbows, pulling out my phone and going straight to Instagram. I hold my phone above me, angling it just enough to capture the subtle shimmer of my green bikini. The color pops against my sun-kissed skin that seems to be fucking glowing after just a few hours out here.