I spend a lot of time alone. It’s not for everybody, but it works for me. Tonight in the shower I didn’t want to get out. It’s been ridiculously cold in Charlotte the past three days. It always feels like December is the coldest month. I know that statistically it’s not, but it always sure feels that way. I think it has to do with the move out of warmth and into cold. It never feels as cold in February as it does in December, to me. Right now there’s not light at the end of the tunnel. It’s still technically fall. Anyway, I’m in the shower enjoying my privilege as an energy-inefficient American by taking a scalding hot shower. I’m not going to lie, it felt good. It wasn’t long enough though – I do have a conscience for the environment. But while I was in there, I thought about how nice it would be to actually have a sauna. Sure, I could go to a sauna where other people go, but that’s a little weird to me. I like to sweat, but I have this thing about privacy. I’ve been going to hot yoga on and off for about a year and there’s sweating there, but because of (insert convincing excuse), I don’t go enough. No, I want a sauna. A private sauna. For days like this.
Not that there’s anything wrong with a sauna that has other people. It’s just not for me. I wouldn’t even know what to wear. Do they wear towels in there? Only? Are they nude? Yeah, that’s comfortable. The last thing I want to see is some fat naked guy. Or worse, one of those guys from the locker room who want to have a conversation with you while their Johnson is flapping all over the place. I can live without that imagery. And in a sauna, you’re supposed to relax. Clear your mind. Meditate. Except, I’m definitely not meditating with a stranger’s stench rising up from their open pours and wafting around the room.
I want a private sauna. And a pool for afterward. And for it to be February.
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Jim Mitchem/@jmitchem
Photo courtesy of Hotel Sonnhof
SuzanneVara
Dec 9, 2010
JimI would like a private sauna too as the sauna at the gym kinda creeps me out. I think of the sweat and the body fluids if someone did not have clothes on and I sat there after even with a towel on. Heebie Jeebies for sure. I now have a visual of a guy talking talking other guys with his johnson flapping around. It will NOT go away. That is great writing! Love when you write as it always leaves me with something – even with an awful visual.
Nichole Brown
Dec 9, 2010
At the sauna in the YWCA I used to go to, this lady would bring her own eucalyptus oil into the sauna. It was so strong. I couldn’t stand it and would have to leave. She, too, needed a private sauna.
Gabriel Miranda
Dec 9, 2010
Great concept – a personal sauna makes sense especially with all of the biological baggage going around these days. Being the economically challenged person that I am – the thought of having a personal Sweat Lodge is the rout I would go – just think all you really need is a spot in the woods, fire, bucket of river water and some stones – oh and a huge animal hide.