Since I figured out what “snow days” were, I was always upset I would never get to experience one. I was jealous of all the kids across the country that would get an email one morning before school to find out it was canceled. The amount of joy and happiness they would feel as receiving the news of a snow day must’ve been overwhelming. But, I lived in Los Angeles.
I know, I should be grateful, right? We just don’t have bad weather. It’s practically 70 degrees everyday. The sun is always out. I can wear shorts and a t-shirt in January. My whole closet is full of summer dresses. This is what I imagine most people who grew up elsewhere would want year-round.
The main problem with perfect weather is the repetitiveness. There’s no unpredictability in waking up in the morning and opening the curtains. Everyday, I know what’s coming. I don’t have to think. It’s convenient for a little while, I can admit that, but eventually the consistency of the weather gets boring.
It’s a weird, yet very real, phenomenon of developing seasonal depression in the summer months. It’s not snowing or raining, but the sweltering heat makes it exhausting to leave the house. Simply getting out of bed is a debilitating task in the August heat. And it only gets worse. September is the month of school and sun. During this time, California is usually full of wildfires galore. This only happened once, but school was canceled because the air quality in Los Angeles was so bad.
Since moving to Boston, I’ve got to experience weather that is dynamic and ever-changing. In October, leaves changed from green to red, orange, and yellow—a rare sight in LA that may happen for a few days before all the leaves fall off for “winter” time.
I also experienced my first ever snowfall. Pulling on my winter coat and lacing up my snow boots for the first time is a memory I will never forget. I was so captivated by my footprints in the ground and the way the snow felt in between my fingers. I don’t think I’ll ever get sick of that feeling.
Having actual seasons brings more than just different weather to an LA girl. My wardrobe has grown from spring blouses and wide leg jeans to sweaters and coats. With new types of pieces being integrated into my wardrobe, I feel a new sense of fashion inspiration. I get to play around with layers, textures, and winter color schemes. Being able to wear different types of clothing without getting overheated is more creatively fulfilling than one would expect.
While I haven’t experienced the coldest Boston weather yet, I’m looking forward to bringing out the snowboots again. Los Angeles, I’m trading you for constant overcast skies, rain, and snow, and I’m not upset about it.