In today’s busy world, it’s often hard to find the time or space to share our life stories with others. That’s where journaling comes in—a powerful way to capture your experiences, memories, and insights in your own words. My Tell Your Story Through Journaling series encourages you to explore your journey through guided prompts, creating a lasting record that others might one day cherish and learn from. Whether you’re writing for yourself or for future readers, this is your chance to give your story the time and attention it deserves. Today, let’s talk about air conditioning.
As far back as I can remember, I’ve preferred a cool bedroom for sleeping. During the summer, I’m comfortable with the temperature set below 70 degrees, and in the winter, I find my perfect sleeping conditions by opening the window and letting in whatever fresh cool air Mother Nature provides.
Do I like feeling cold at night? Not really—but being too hot is pure torture for me, especially when it’s humid. Sleeping in that kind of heat is nearly impossible. So, give me a cool room and plenty of blankets any time of year, and I’m one happy sleeper.
Did we have air conditioning growing up? Nope. We lived on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, where it wasn’t as hot and humid as here in North Carolina—but that didn’t mean we didn’t have our share of unbearably hot days and sleepless nights.
There were many nights in Maryland when I’d lie in bed, drenched in sweat, with a small fan only stirring the hot air around me. Sleepless, sticky nights were all too common. When the discomfort became unbearable, I’d retreat to the basement—grabbing a pillow and a sheet before heading down two flights of stairs to the cool, unfinished space below.
As I mentioned, the basement was unfinished. When you walked down the stairs, you were greeted by a musty, damp smell—but I didn’t mind. That cool dampness was a relief on those hot nights. I looked forward to lying on the couch in the center of the concrete floor, wrapping myself in a sheet and drifting off to sleep peacefully, finally free from the heat and discomfort.
Here I am, decades removed from my Maryland childhood, and while many folks my age prefer warmer climates—moving to Florida to escape the cold—that’s never been me. If I had my way, my home temperature would stay steady around 67-68 degrees, which is why Florida would never be a fit. My ideal weather is a comfy 70 degrees during the day and a cool 68 at night. And of course, I need plenty of blankets and at least two fans to sleep soundly through the night. That’s when I’m truly cozy and sleeping like a baby!
P.S. This isn’t exactly about air conditioning, but it’s about those cold sleeping nights. Back in middle school, during a particularly chilly winter, the heat was cranked so high I couldn’t sleep—I kept kicking the covers off, sweating profusely. I even tried opening the window, but it didn’t help much. Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore and went searching for the thermostat. I have no idea what temperature I set it to, but I do remember waking up to my dad yelling about frozen, burst pipes. I never confessed my role in the chaos…until now. 😉
Don’t put off sharing your story—it’s important and can be healing. I’d love to hear your responses to the prompts, so feel free to share them with me!
KathieyV