Man, one degree makes a heck of a lot more difference than it really should, don’t you think? And I’m not just talking climate change here. Yes, it’s true that the global temperature has increased by one degree recently, and this has caused melting polar ice and starving polar bears, earlier bird migrations, islands being submerged by rising seas, and crazy weather patterns that have given us some of the worst storms on record occurring with greater and greater frequency, but that’s not what I’m talking about here. I’m talking about my living room.
Our little thermostat on the wall over there not only sets the preferred temperature, but also lets us know what temperature we have actually achieved, allowing us to adjust if necessary. Thanks to that little display, I always know what temperature it is in my house, and by observing it for months on end, I have discovered some things about myself.
One thing I have discovered is that 66 degrees is way too cold. 66 is no good. Boo to 66.
And if it hits 65, forget about putting on a sweater, because we might as well just cryogenically freeze ourselves it is so cold.
67, however, is a lovely temperature. I love 67. 67 means I am wearing a t-shirt and feeling happy. It is quite comfortable. But don’t even get me started on 68.
68 is a tad too warm. I don’t like it as much as 67.
69 is definitely a little hot. That’s what she said.
And once we get to 70, forget about it. I will be sweating on the couch in my underwear, drinking cold drinks and fanning myself with junk mail. You’re welcome for the visual.
But isn’t that weird? I mean, I go outside in all kinds of temperatures, and I’m pretty sure I could not tell you what the temperature outside is on any given day without checking the weather app on my phone. Sure, I might get it plus or minus 10 degrees (It feels like it’s in the 50’s today…), but there’s no way I could detect a one degree change in temperature in normal conditions. But in my house, I can. One teeny tiny degree can make the difference between comfort and despair. And that doesn’t seem fair.
I want a whole range of temperatures to be comfortable in! I want to feel good between 65 and 75! I want to expand my happiness! But alas, it is not to be. My whole day could be ruined by one silly little degree. Does this happen to anyone else? Am I just being over sensitive? And if so, how do I stop it and start being normal? Or at least, you know, more normal…