How To Handle Skin In Warm Seasons

I am incredibly fortunate to live just 2 minutes from the beach.

It’s not the glorious, Jamaican, ocean-coast beaches that you saw in some of my photos a few months ago.

It’s more of a ‘great lake’, secluded, middle-of-the-pack kind of beach. But still, a beach that is just around the corner!

I love going to the beach because after just a short walk, I feel like I am in a mini-paradise. No cares in the world, just (seemingly) endless water, fresh air, and sand between my toes. For obvious reasons, I’ve made beach visits a regular part of my wind down routine after work.

And while I am incredibly grateful for such a cathartic environment more or less in my backyard, it comes with a downside.

Skin.

Once the weather warms up and more people frequent the beaches, skin starts showing up everywhere.

You know what I’m talking about – short shorts, bikinis, and everything in between.

Back in the day, I loved these environments. It was a lust buffet and I had no apology for the thoughts, fantasies, and desires that would arise.

But some of those small subconscious patterns that I had formed became a huge problem when I gave my life to Christ and wanted to clean up this specific area of my life.

Over 6.5 years later, I am still working through some of those patterns. And I know that for many guys - they are in the same place.

So if you are in the northern hemisphere and you’re observing a little more skin, here are a few quick things you can do to help:

1. Keep Things In Perspective – Remember that attraction is God-given. Noticing skin is not a problem, it’s what ensues that counts.
2. Win The Micro-moments – The ability to stay focused becomes incredibly powerful in these situations. As you develop more self-awareness (a necessity for lasting freedom), you will begin to notice the moments someone catches your attention and consciously make a decision to return your attention to your initial focus. Winning these ‘micro’ moments regularly goes a long way.
3. Be Purposeful – This one is huge. Do not settle for unstructured, aimless time. When I go to the beach, I am there to unwind and relax. That is my priority and I ensure that my time spent there makes it happen.  

Summertime is a beautiful thing. Enjoy it, spend time with friends, make memories, and keep your head up – while there is temptation out there, there is much to enjoy as well.

Cheering you on,
Sathiya