So I’m coming into a stupidly hot Shanghai summer … however, as it’s not quite there yet, I’m getting to enjoy walking to work in a warm – not hot – temperature and a bright, clear sky and quite frankly, it’s bloody fantastic.
Maybe it’s because I’ve lived in mainly warm climates for the last 15 odd years – where it’s called winter when the thermometer say’s it’s colder than 80 degrees – however this shift in the weather has really affected my mood.
And in a good way!
I’m happy.
HAPPY!
Of course this is nothing new, people all around the World feel happier when the weather turns better … however having basically missed out on seasonal temperature change, at least to the extent you get in China, the whole ‘approach of summer’ is like I’ve never experienced it before and the feeling is addictive.
Apart from just putting me in a good mood, it’s the change of surroundings that makes it even more impactful.
The streets are full of happier people … dressed in brighter colours … saying “ni hao” when I wish them a good morning.
The trees are full of green leaves, gently swaying in the wind, making a sound that seems to be quietly shouting [I know, I know] that people should relax rather than run …
The streets seem cleaner, the sky is definitely brighter and the air seems to gently caress your face rather than try to rip it off.
And best of all, the Chinese community don’t look at my birkenstocked feet – and then my face – with a look that seems to say, “Call the Police, the local nuthouse has just lost one of it’s patients.”
Sure, I’ve had to go through a number of months of cold to get to enjoy this day …
Sure I’ve had to wear shoes for the first time in 15 years …
Sure I’ve had to buy my first coat in over a decade …
… but the fact is, having come through the other side of weeks of cold and grey, I feel much more positive – as if I’ve come through something tough and won – and while that is obviously a pile of self-delusional bollocks, the thing is, it’s only when you’ve experienced frustration and struggle that success truly feels sweet which is why I always tell my colleagues to not give up at the first, second or even third hurdle … because when you finally get that client to buy the idea, ad or strategy that has filled you with excitement for weeks, that’s when you truly know how good adland can make you feel.