Last week, we were blessed with a glimpse of summer — a marvelous two days hitting over 65 degrees. Every moment we spent awake those two days felt like paradise. We were given a few hours to recapture that feeling of the first few weeks of the fall semester, where the quads were verdant, spikeball games were plentiful and pants were yet to be ingrained in campus fashion. And while fool’s spring has come and gone, the vibes of warm weather and summer feelings don’t have to depart with it.
I don’t know why, but social media has begun adding the suffix “-maxxing” into the popular nomenclature to describe living a mindset heavy on whatever subject you happen to be maxing out. Looksmaxxing is an obvious example, but recently, many have taken to emphasizing living the mindset of a particular person or character. Proponents of a mindset such as TonySopranomaxxing come to mind (though I wouldn’t encourage standing next to the fridge, eating cold cuts in a robe and cheating on your spouse daily). For me, recent warm weather awoke a mindset of mine that’s been dormant since August: JimmyBuffettmaxxing.
If you feel a little homesick in this climate, follow my simple instructions: Buy a cheap beach cruiser bike off Facebook Marketplace. One with a cupholder, preferably. Get a JBL clip-on speaker, some aviators and you’re in business. Is it 30 degrees out? No matter. Warmth is a state of mind. Relish those thoughts of summer, internalize them and live them out in your daily actions. Take care of business during the day and get your work done, but feel free to be a little bit of a beach bum from time to time.
Music plays a huge role in this Jimmy Buffett mindset of tropical escapism. I implore you to make the most of student-discounted Spotify Premium and download every playlist with Buffett, Beach Boys, Eagles and Van Morrison you can find.
Every Notre Dame false spring that interrupts long, harsh winters reminds us that warmth and comfort are possible, even if it’s temporary. To a certain extent, these bursts of warmth go beyond the physical comfort they provide — finding small pockets of joy like these among what can seem to be an eternal struggle can be a watershed moment for many of us.
At the end of the day, your mindset is what dictates your feelings. Choose to be happy in this weather, and you will be. Choose to be the beach bum of Indiana (without disregarding your GPA), and your mental well-being will reap the rewards. Choose the Jimmy Buffett pill.
