Crossing The Atlantic

I am known for my inability to handle heat. For most of my life 18 °C (64.4 °F) has been my threshold from being okay to feeling miserable, and my preferred temperatures are below 10 °C (50 °F). So… How am I adapting to Florida’s subtropical climate? Surprisingly better than I thought!

Climate change in The Netherlands

It needs to be said: the difference between the climate I grew up in, and how it is now, already is quite different. When I was a kid, we had four distinct seasons. Autumn was chilly, with lots of rain and wind. Winters always had multiple weeks with temperatures below freezing, snow and ice. In Spring temperatures gradually got higher, until Summer hit us with lots of sun and some thunder here and there. August was the hottest month, but it was mostly still okay to go outside. Some 30 spf sunscreen, a bit of shade, popsicles, and a trip to the pool or beach would help a lot. Early September it was time for Autumn again.

In more recent years the weather has been all over the place. Early Spring heatwaves, crazy ups and downs during Summer, periods of high temperatures until October, no real Winters anymore apart from a couple of days scattered around randomly, way more thunderstorms throughout the year, and so on. 

Being disabled vs. the weather

For those who don’t know yet, these are some of the issues I have to deal with during warmer times:

• Heat edema and rash.
• Significantly worsening bowel issues because of my IBS.
• Painful tendons, muscles and joints.
• Depression.
• Constant sensory overload, worsening of my A(u)DHD symptoms.
• Headaches, vertigo, nausea (especially with increasing air pressure).

In addition to this, thunder also causes some major issues. Just like pretty much every other loud, sudden noise (like fireworks, balloons, clapping hands, slamming doors, barking dogs) the sound of thunder hurts me intensely. Not just my ears, but my entire body. During a thunderstorm I may therefore experience:

• Panic attacks and meltdowns.
• Selective mutism.
• Not being able to move, even if I (for instance) desperately need to use the restroom.

The weather in subtropical Pensacola

People (especially Europeans) ask me a lot what the weather is like over here. Most assume that it’s “nice and warm”, because Florida is known as “the sunshine state”. Well, let me break it down for ya.

Because of multiple factors, such as the distance to the equator, and being on the Gulf Coast, Pensacola is hot, humid, and extremely unstable. One should be prepared for sudden change at any time. Blue skies all over? Don’t be surprised when a massive thunderstorm appears and waterfalls plummet from the sky. Prediction says 26 °C (78.8 °F) and UV index 5? Yeah just count on 31 °C (87.8 °F) with UV 10 instead.

It’s called the sunshine state, because even when it’s raining, most of the time there’s sun somewhere. The sun is emitting deathrays most of the year, with a UV index commonly ranging from 8 to 12. Even in February it sometimes feels like your skin is being fried. From April onward, going outside can best be described as being boiled on the inside and seared on the outside, while trying to breathe through a straw underwater. 

To paint a picture: I’ve always been a very sweaty person (even as a baby), but not even going to the sauna compares to being outside in Florida. The amount of sweat literally streaming down my face and entire body after mere minutes outside is absolutely bonkers. Oh, and that 30 spf sunscreen won’t do. I use 100 spf here. Yeah, I didn’t know it existed either!

And err… Let’s not talk about hurricanes yet, alright? ;p

Adapting to this massive change

So how does this work, now that I’ve moved to – climate wise – pretty much the worst place possible? Well, it’s unfortunately not as simple as “you’ll get used to it”, but my body is definitely adapting. 

My first 2 visits were both in Winter, 3 and 2 months long respectively. After a 35 minute walk to Walmart, shopping, then 35 minutes back, I was overheating so bad it would cause panic attacks, and it would take me at least an hour to cool down enough to get some clothes back on. Back in The Netherlands after my second visit, I noticed I felt cold faster, and the Summer heat was bothering me slightly less. This is a trend that keeps going now that I’ve lived in Pensacola for almost 8 months.

Look, I’m still struggling with all of the aforementioned issues, and those aren’t going to magically disappear. But I am learning how to deal with them better, and I’m gaining the ability to cool off quicker than I previously could.

I’ve been learning what my limits are, and to accept those. How to make compromises. To take things slow. So basically that I sometimes just need to sit the fuck down, instead of trying to get a bunch of cleaning done.

My biggest problem is not being able to do what I’d normally do to deal with heat, because of our current living situation (which I can’t elaborate on publicly). So I’m looking forward to having our own place, and being a lot more comfortable. 

But you know what? If it wasn’t for this climate, Pensacola wouldn’t have all the amazing plants, flowers, and colorful animals. Sure, going outside is a pain. But I’m also amazed at the beauty of everything around me every single time!

Big hugs,
Didi

Ps. August 1st it’s my birthday! A very special one, because it’s my first one Home with David! Almost all of my birthdays have been hot as balls, but I’m expecting this one to break records. ;p We won’t be doing anything special, it’s just a normal workday and because of our living situation I can’t stream either. But we’ll wake up together, hang out after work, have a nice meal, and go to sleep together. Best birthday present ever!