Apricity

“The shadow proves the sunshine…” ~ Switchfoot

Apricity. I’ve been seeing this word all over social media the last couple of days. The warmth of the sun in winter. I think it’s safe to say we are all collectively in need of some sunlight. Is it just me or has it been an especially difficult January this year? I’m currently clicking these keys while my therapy light is shining over my shoulder. It does a pretty satisfactory job of moderately elevating my disposition this time of year. (Can I also say how intrigued I have always been by the idea of shadows versus light? Cue the infinite life lessons…and the perplexing logic of a certain revered groundhog.) I definitely believe Blue Monday is a real thing, and it’s just been graaaaaay ever since.

I was talking to a fellow writer friend at work the other day who entertained me with his witty ways and funny stories, and the connection was truly a breath of fresh air on what was indeed a rather manic Monday. (Are they all manic?) In the midst of the humor, he encouraged me to experiment with different tones of written expression, and get back to my former ways of lighthearted diction. And then! I saw “apricity” pop up on Facebook later that day. I was QUITE fascinated by the word.

So much so, that it motivated me to mix up my blog with a Word of the Month challenge! (I’m already looking forward to finding another word for next month.) And as I’m typing this and glancing over to check the time (how is it already 11:30?!) I think I’m just going to post this in its raw unedited form because my brain is ___________. I really don’t know what word to use to describe this feeling. But I do know if this blog had a look, it would be the sweat pants and messy-hair-in-a-bun vibe. I’m just going to keep it real tonight.

I actually don’t recall ever hearing this word before. Apricity, that is. If I have, it clearly failed to make an impression on me. Of course the prefix of the word makes me think of other words like appreciate, apricot, and April. The evoked imagery paints a pretty positive picture of a succulent sweetness in the soon-coming season of Spring. Mmhmm…I am here for all of it. (And if you can’t tell by now, alliteration and I are fond friends.)

Let’s take a collective breath iiiiiiiiiiin and ooooout as we flip the proverbial calendar on the wall… Wow. What a month! I don’t often find myself speechless, but here I am, worn out as the words escape me and exhaustion permeates the brain. That’s not the truest essence of what I wanted to say, but I’m really too tired to think to improve that sentence. Can we just hibernate for the next month? Life is unpredictable. Sometimes we just have to hold space for what we can’t control. If you had a difficult month, I’m standing here with a virtual hug in the space between these paragraphs.

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Of course I understand why we do it, but at the same time it’s humorous to me that January is when people typically make all the resolutions for health, fitness, immensely improved daily habits, and just being better humans overall. Because…it’s also the time of year when we need the most rest and sleep! Keeping up with regular life this time of year is haaaaard work. (Work, work, work, work, work!) The arctic temperatures, the kind of wind (I love how these words look alike, but completely do not rhyme) that takes your breath away, the lack of sunlight, blah blah blah. Tackling a new rigorous fitness plan, stressing over making all these new goals come to fruition (ha, fruit again. Fruit spray?! Buddy the Elf, anyone?), are we trying to set ourselves up for failure?!

I will say, I did manage to complete the 24 day fitness challenge I committed to at the beginning of the month. But! I couldn’t have done it without my WONDERFUL teammates, because to be honest, most days I was s t r u g g l i n g. Most days, the last thing I wanted to do was make time for a group class. But we showed up and encouraged each other, and it was truly fulfilling being a part of this challenge. Thanks Wonder Women…you all are amazing! On a separate track, I only managed to complete half the miles I intended to walk this month. And I haven’t read any of the books on my desired literary list yet. I’m just going to give myself grace though, and try again for February.

Oh yeah… apricity. (“Yeah, yeah, yeah!” Who’s ready for Usher? I’m not apologizing for all these tangents, I warned you this is the unedited neurodiverse version.) “The warmth of the sun in winter, a subtle warmth that kisses the skin with a softness unexpected in the season’s chill.” I am quite fond of the sound of all of that and the imagery it evokes. A surprising kiss from the glorious ball of orange goodness which is responsible for life on this spinning planet…that happens to currently be dismal and dreary in this part of earth in which I find myself abiding. Just a bit of light from the sun. A little reminder that it won’t be dark forever…Spring is coming. Life will be succulent and sweet again. Positive happenings and the sun are on the horizon. It gives me a sense of hope.

Life is stressful. Maybe it always will be. Maybe it will never slow down, until it’s over. (Is that too morbid?) I’m trying to look for glimmers of gratitude in the normal every day moments in life. The opportunity to attend a Pilates class with one of my team members today. Seeing friends every day at work, working together, doing life together. Apricity. Rays of connection and hope amidst the ensuing cold and craziness. I’m grateful for this reminder from my new favorite suggestively fruity and aesthetically pleasing word. Now, all this talk of fruit has me feeling rather thirsty. I think I’ll go pour myself a glass of Canton Joy orange juice, as it’s been quite awhile since I’ve indulged in its thirst-quenching goodness. (Research says drinking it affects our emotions in rejuvenating ways! Thank you, unsuspecting consumers involved in a recent patented study, for this juicy insight into your behavior.) Cheers to a hopeful filled-to-the-brim February!