With collective anxiety at an all-time high in NYC, I (safely and swiftly) escaped to my parents’ house in the suburbs of New Jersey and decided to mentally reframe this remote period as an opportunity to mix things up a little, especially with my fitness regimen. Today, I decide that after years of avoiding the pavement, I am going out for a run. OK, maybe a light jog. I lace up my APLs and bound around the block vigorously…once. Let’s be real, you don’t become a runner overnight. I feel light on my feet, in large part because there’s nothing better than fresh sneakers, especially when they feel like clouds on your feet, thanks to soft Merino wool. Next up: a quick shower followed by a diligent hand wash of my Nagnata top/bottom—this set can be cold machine-washed in a garment bag, but I don’t want to have to wait a few days for a full load before I can wear it again, so I opt to skip the machine and DIY. More time: the advantage of a life without a commute! Dancing, grounding, tightening, lifting, lengthening—it’s all the things I want to channel while heading toward Friday, even if I’m staying put. I am quickly learning that Merino wool dries superfast once you work out in it and is also constantly listening to the changes in your body’s temperature—cooling you down and warming you up when you need it. It adjusts to dance parties for one as well as it does for my morning asanas. After five days in my Australian Merino attire (and footwear), I am beyond excited by the prospect of taking these outfits on the road, into the mountains, and EVERYWHERE ELSE I will be exploring with fervor when it’s safe out there. Natural and breathable, Merino feels more like an extension of my body rather than the restricting synthetics I’m accustomed to. I enjoy the connection with nature, even though I couldn’t truly enjoy her. I wouldn’t dream of not washing a pair of tights usually, but learning that I don’t have to with Merino means one less chore—something I will welcome when we’re office-bound again! Since we’re already “contained” in the grander sense, I’m excited to have found a fiber that makes me feel free.
