It Wasn’t Supposed To Be a Beach Day
This wasn’t supposed to be the first Adult Play Adventures episode.
I had ideas planned. A private Lyra class. Rock climbing. Roller skating at Dequindre Cut. I wanted to come out the gate with something bold. Something exciting. Something that looked like the kind of launch people expect when you finally bring a creative idea to life.
Instead, the first episode became…a beach day.
And honestly? That feels way more aligned with what I actually want APA to be.
Yes, I want to go on fun adventures with yall. Yes, there will absolutely be episodes that push me out of my comfort zone and get my adrenaline going. But if this turns into something that only celebrates the flashy moments, then I missed the point completely.
Adult Play Adventures is not just about doing cool things.
It is about reconnecting with yourself outside of work, pressure, routines, expectations and productivity.
It is about learning how to experience your life again.
It was a Monday, which is usually one of my days off from my day job. Most Mondays are spent working on entrepreneurial projects, planning content, answering emails, editing, organizing. And truthfully, I get really excited to do those things because I care deeply about the things I have built and continue to build.
But this Monday felt different.
It was the first day over 77 degrees in Michigan and I could feel it pulling at me.
I still wanted to be productive, but I also wanted to feel the sun on my skin for a little while. I wanted to breathe. I wanted to enjoy the weather instead of just looking at it through a window while answering emails.
The plan was to leave around 9:30 or 10:00 in the morning.
That did not happen.
And once it did not happen, I almost talked myself out of going altogether.
Which sounds dramatic considering the beach was not going anywhere, but I know I am not the only woman who does this. Once the timeline in our head gets thrown off, suddenly the entire experience starts feeling ruined.
“You missed the window.”
“It is too late now.”
“You should probably just stay home and be productive.”
Meanwhile…productive according to who? Where did these rules comes from?
What stopped me was realizing there was no real schedule.
No one was waiting on me.
No deadline was being missed.
Nothing bad was going to happen because I got there later than planned.
I was moving on my own time.
And for some reason, that realization slowed my nervous system down almost instantly.
Ironically, as I got closer to the beach, the speed limit abruptly dropped from 55 to 25. Which honestly felt a little disrespectful at first. But once I stopped rushing, I started noticing everything around me more.
The scenery. The water. The people outside. My breathing relaxing.
I was no longer trying to rush through the experience.
I was finally inside of it.
I think a lot of us have forgotten how important it is to have hobbies that are not attached to performance.
Things that get us out of our heads and back into our bodies.
Not because they burn the most calories.
Not because they make money.
Not because they look impressive online.
Just because they bring us peace.
And sometimes that hobby is not some extreme sport or elaborate wellness routine.
Sometimes it is just packing a bag, driving to the beach alone, and letting yourself exist there for a few hours without guilt.
That is another thing I want APA to represent.
Finding your space outside of the gym.
Movement will always be part of my life and part of this brand, but movement does not only happen inside four walls with a timer running.
Movement can look like walking the shoreline.
Swimming.
Exploring a new place.
Roller skating through the city.
Trying something badly for the first time and laughing through it anyway.
It all counts.
And the best part?
This beach pass was about $20 for the entire year and came with access to so many amenities I probably would have never even looked into if I had stayed home trying to force myself to “be productive.”
That is what I mean when I say romanticize your life.
Not in a fake aesthetic way.
I mean genuinely allowing yourself to experience the life that is happening around you instead of constantly postponing joy until everything is “perfectly” done.
Because honestly, it never will be.
So no, this was not supposed to be the first APA episode.
But maybe that is exactly why it needed to be.
Because this brand was never supposed to be about performing a perfect lifestyle.
It was supposed to be about building a life that actually feels GOOD to be inside of.
📍 Location: Sterling State Park
🏙️ City: Monroe, Michigan
💰 Cost: $20 Michigan Recreation Passport (Annual)
⭐ Difficulty: Beginner Friendly
👤 Solo Friendly: Yes
👥 Group Friendly: Yes
⏱️ Time Needed: 1–4 Hours
🎒 What to Bring: Towel, Water, Sunscreen, Book, Journal, Snacks
