This Might Be the Coolest Year of the Rest of Our Lives

I live in a quiet suburb where most days begin in the garage and end in some air-conditioned space. Even when I heard the planet was heating up, it always felt like a distant headline—something happening elsewhere, to someone else.

But this summer? This one felt different.

While traveling through Korea, I walked a lot more than usual. And the heat—it wasn’t just uncomfortable. It was unrelenting. It didn’t feel like the summers I grew up with. I found myself checking the weather app the way I used to check Instagram. Not for fun, but out of concern.

One night, I read that South Korea had recorded its hottest nighttime temperatures in history. Not just in Seoul, but across the country. Meanwhile, Phoenix saw over 30 straight days of 110°F (43°C) heat. In Southern Europe, wildfires swept through Greece, Italy, and Spain while tourists crowded beaches, pretending everything was fine. Even Switzerland—known for its crisp alpine air—hit record-breaking highs.

In Texas, deadly floods followed weeks of intense drought. Japan issued heatstroke alerts in 26 prefectures after temperatures neared 40°C. All of it seemed to arrive at once, as if the planet was trying to get our attention.

And then I came across this sentence from a climate scientist:
“This might be the coolest year you’ll experience for the rest of your life.”

So what do we do with that?

Honestly, there are days I want to turn away. To believe someone else will handle it. But deep down, I know we’re all part of this story. None of us can solve it alone, but that doesn’t mean we’re powerless.

For me, it’s about small, conscious choices.
Rewearing outfits without shame. Choosing secondhand when I can. Saying no to fast, plastic-packed, one-click temptations. Supporting brands that choose better—even if that means fewer things overall.

No, my small changes won’t stop the heatwaves.
But they remind me that I’m participating. That I care. That I’m choosing a direction—even if it’s slow and imperfect.

And sometimes, choosing a direction is everything.

With care,
Penny
Founder of Tidalove 🌊