For as long as I remember, my favorite thing in the world is to watch the sunset. When I was little, I used to think that if I ran fast enough I could catch the sunset. I would patiently wait for 6 o’clock to come around before rushing out the door with my mom and running down the street. My mom would play along with me and tell me that if I ran fast enough I could catch it. When my family and I were on the boat, I would yell at my dad to go faster so I’d have a better chance of catching the sun before it disappeared into the water.
My obsession didn’t end as I grew up. Over the years I have complied an entire album on my phone of sunset pictures . I have over 100 pictures on my phone of just sunsets (see pictures below). Although some are prettier than others they each represent different eras of my life (I actually cried when I broke my phone and thought all the picture were gone.)
Continuing into college, my sunset chasing is still going strong. Regardless of how hectic my life may be, I always make time to drive to the beach and catch even just the last few minutes of the sunset. This has become very therapeutic to me. Watching the sunset is something that reminds of my childhood, and years later, still bring me the same joy as it did when I was 8 years old.
My advice to you is to find something this season that makes you stop and take in all that life has to offer. Whether it’s watching the sunset or taking a yoga class; It is important to find something that inspires you and makes you slow down and breathe.
-Manuela
IMC Hawks Blog 
Dear Manuela,
I found your post as if It was mine, because one of my favorite things of the day is sunset time. I am a person who loves photography, but taking sunset pictures is my biggest hobby. Many friends and family always say to me that I already have many pictures of sunsets but for me, everyone of those are totally different and each of them has their special something. I think that ill never get bored to see sunsets and taking pictures of it.
Manuela,
Wow, such beautiful images to accompany your post! I think this is a timely topic – Spring just arrived and days are getting longer. The last paragraph about finding inspiration and relaxation is especially important, because with the end of the semester comes a rush of stress, projects, and final exams. Communicating reasons and ways to de-stress is a helpful reminder to stay in the moment. For me, I turn to music for inspiration, and just like your sunset photos let you remember parts of your life, certain songs help me remember my life, too. Thanks for the advice!
Manuela,
I’d like to start off with I love the pictures and the purpose behind your blog post. It took me awhile to adjust to finding that one thing that helped me center myself whenever life and school get a little hectic. Meditating is my sunset and I am super thankful I utilize it because I am sure I would be a nut case if I didn’t. Great post!
Manuela,
This post is very inspiring! Everyone loves a beautiful sunset, of course, but it is even more special to have a childhood connection like you do! I love the photos that you have attached to your post. Finding something that allows us to slow down, breathe in, and be present, is extremely important. This activity will absolutely differ from person to person, but I believe that there is something out there for everyone! For me, taking a yoga class, teaching yoga classes, and going on a bike ride are a few of my favorites. I think I’ll head out for a bike ride now, actually…
🙂
Manuela,
I really like this article and was inspired to go watch the sunset or do something that benefits my health. I like how you incorporated actual stories in this article, as well as pictures from years of watching the sunset. These two things help bring this to life and show how dedicated you are and have been to this beautiful event our earth does every single day. Sometimes we take things for granted, with the sunset being one of those things. I look forward to watching the next sunset and taking in all that I can.
Manuela,
I totally agreed with your last sentences that everyone should find something that relaxes them. With all the stress of school and the urge to always check your social media, I think people nowadays are more predisposed to always do something. When you are not making your homework or studying for some test, you are checking your Instagram or catching up with your friends. When people go to bed they would watch some Netflix or some YouTube. People seem to have little ways how to relax and destress properly nowadays. I think in order to keep you mentally healthy it is very important people find something like you have with the sunset.
Manuela,
I really liked your post. Whenever I think of the sunset, I think about peace. It is a time to reflect, and appreciate things. As a large mental health advocate, I think it’s really important (especially for college students) to take time out of their day to do something they love, or to chill – and for you (and I), this can complete both of those tasks. Great post, I also love your pictures!
– Carmen Reynolds
Manuela,
What a beautiful post, and those pictures are breathtaking. Sunsets are one of my favorite things, I love how unique they are and the colors blow my mind sometimes. I can’t count how many times I’ve had a stressful day and drove to the beach to watch the sunset and just sit there to clear my head.
Manuela,
This was such a relatable piece for me. I thought I was the only one who was obsessed with sunsets. I completely felt the pain when you talked about almost breaking your phone and crying about possibly losing the photos. Sunsets for me have always been something that has made me happy and like you said it is a form of therapy and self care. I loved the ending when you suggesting taking in all that life has to offer, I think that’s a really important key to living a good life.
I just wanted to stop by and say that we would probably be good friends. A good sunset is one of my favorite things on Earth. Back home I used to drive over this tall bridge every day just because it had the best view. A big part of my high school summers consisted of me and my best buddies driving up and down the beach listening to our favorite jams and watching the sunset. I even have a lil sun tattoo on my shoulder because I strongly believe in doing what makes me happy and that’s kind of perfectly symbolizes it.
Manuela,
I just absolutely love how passionate you are about sunsets! I agree that they are so beautiful and unique. I also like how you mentioned that it’s your passion. I think it’s important to have a passion in life, whether it’s taking pictures of sunsets or another activity. A great article to go with some great pictures, keep on chasing those sunsets!
Manuela,
First of all, you are so talented! I spent my summers near the ocean as well where there a night never went by without a beautiful sunset. I love your idea how this is the perfect way to destress and unwind. I think that the way our generation tries to take breaks by using technology is counter-productive. We spend all day on our devices, that when it’s time to clear our mind we need to experience something natural not digital.
Manuela,
This really hit home for me. While I’m not one for chasing sunsets, I am in a season of life right now where I constantly am having to remind myself to take some time to myself and just breathe. The end of the school year always brings about some anxiety for me, but this was just another one of those reminders that I need to slow down and do something that I love every now and then. Our mental health is just as important as everything else that we have going on in our lives and I really appreciate that you’ve recognized that in your own life so consistently.
Best wishes. 🙂
Hey Manuela, first off we have the same hobby! I was born and raised in Holden Beach, NC which is about 45 minutes away form Wilmington and I have about a million photos of sunsets (and sunrises). But I feel this is very meditating and a stress relief just starring at this beautiful sun and how beautiful the sky lights up. I love how we share the same experience with sunsets and how therapeutic it is for you! I also love how you contributed to finding something that makes you happy because everyone isn’t the same and some people don’t realize that! Overall it was just a great article!
I really like your post!! I always have done something really similar. I have an album in my phone of every sunrise I have ever been to see. I like the addition you put in there about how you would literally chase the sunsets. Overall I found your post fascinating!
Manuela,
I love this post! Like you, I am obsessed with sunsets. I am forever looking up the predicted sunset time on my phone and making my boyfriend hurry to drive us somewhere, regardless of our current destination, just to be able to watch it. I think it has a lot to do with just making me happy. I’m not sure what it is, but when I see a beautiful sunset, I just feel so calm and happy. Just like when I listen to certain types of music or read certain books. We all have those things that we are passionate for and, like you said, it’s important to find those things in order to breathe. It helps to just take some time to yourself and soak it all in.
Thanks for the inspirational post and for sharing those beautiful images!
Tina
Manuela,
This is such a beautiful story and I love that you have the photos to remember it by. It reminds of me and my sisters going outside every time there was a meteor shower. We would lay on blankets and stare at the sky for hours on end. I hope your sunset chasing continues and your photo collection grows.
Hello! Your post was wonderful and really hit home with me. I use to do the same thing with my family up in Long Island, we would all go watch the sunset together on the beach and have bonfires. I still go to the beach to catch the sunsets too, it is very therapeutic; it’s as if all my issues go away when I’m on the beach watching the sunset go down. Your post was very well put together and those pictures are gorgeous! Great job!