If you’ve ever stood in front of your closet, fridge, or life trying to decide anything, today’s Thought of the Day and Question of the Day are for you. We’re talking indecision, nostalgia, and how one whiff of a scent can teleport you straight into summer memories—whether you asked for it or not.
Thought of the Day:
“Indecision may or may not be my problem.” — Jimmy Buffett
Jimmy really nailed it with this one. The beauty of this quote is that it manages to be both completely noncommittal and incredibly relatable. Indecision isn’t just a problem—it’s a lifestyle. I’ve been known to hover over “Add to Cart” like I’m defusing a bomb. And don’t even get me started on choosing dinner. (“Whatever you want” is a trap. Don’t fall for it.)
But here’s the thing—indecision isn’t always a flaw. Sometimes it’s a sign you care. You want to make the right choice. You’re weighing your options. You’re pretending to be strategic but actually you’re just hungry, tired, or emotionally overdrawn.
In a world that wants us to always “decide quickly and move fast,” maybe it’s OK to be a little Buffet-esque. Chill. Drift. Float on a pontoon of maybe. As I shared in this past post about seeking illumination, sometimes hesitation is the soul’s way of telling us to slow down and pay attention.
Besides, “indecision” has never stopped me from eventually ordering the same thing I always do. Which might be the real problem.
Question of the Day:
What’s one smell that instantly reminds you of summer?
Sweat and sunscreen. That’s it. That’s the whole season. It’s the scent of backyard wiffleball games, overcooked hot dogs, and chasing a toddler around a park in 94-degree humidity while the sunscreen migrates directly into your eyes. It burns, but in that weirdly nostalgic, “ah yes, childhood” kind of way.
Smell is a sneaky little memory thief. One whiff of SPF 50 Banana Boat and I’m back at the pool, clutching an orange freeze pop with purple-stained fingertips. The second I catch a whiff of hot pavement or that damp, green smell after a thunderstorm? Boom—instant time travel. And don’t even let me near a grill unless you want a full monologue on the Great Grilling Disaster of 2000. (Spoiler: it involves propane, a match, and almost needing to shave my head.)
If you’ve never thought about how scent shapes summer, think back to your last beach day, hike, or cookout. The memories are probably half visual… and half olfactory. It’s not just about what you did—it’s about how it smelled while you were doing it.
Speaking of memory-lane triggers, this past post about the sound of spring might hit you in a similar spot.
Let’s Keep the Conversation Going
What’s your summer scent? Is it chlorine? Fresh-cut grass? Burnt marshmallows?
Leave a comment and let me know. And if you’d like more little moments like this in your inbox every morning, sign up for the daily email. It’s free, fast, and always thoughtful.