Hidden an hour outside of Boston lies a charming oasis known as Singing Beach, a place where worries are evaporated and stress is disintegrated. Truly a magical fairytale land, this Manchester-by-the-Sea haven has the ability to sweep you away from reality in the time it takes for the crashing waves to strike the shore.
My friend and I decided to take Sunday off from the hustle and bustle of the city and zap ourselves back in time to the carefree days of summer, which luckily only happened to be roughly 30 miles away. While we had heard good things about Singing Beach prior to our trip, we had not expected its beauty to be this extreme.
Tiny picturesque islands dot the coast, creating a mesmerizing image similar to that of the Mediterranean, with locals smattering the shoreline overseeing their kids playfully jumping into the waves. A hot commodity in the sleepy town of Manchester, the beach was surprisingly spacious despite its popularity. My friend and I managed to find what felt like a private cove on the opposite end of the beach, tucked away by sprawling boulders inches away from the tide. It was like stepping foot onto an uninhabited paradise, where nothing but the melodic sound of the ocean and the rhythmic tunes of chirping birds surrounded you.
Lying on my towel with my eyes closed and music turned on, I imagined floating in the clouds, swiftly soaring through the transparent sky and being carried by the delicate breeze. When I opened my eyes, I’d be greeted with the trees swaying and the sand humming. The sun glistened off the deep blue hues of the water, reflecting back onto the golden sand.
After hours of pure relaxation, we decided to walk around the town and see for ourselves the home of this newfound glory we had so deeply fallen in love with. People walked by us in passing, dressed in beach shorts and linen tees, probably with the same idea in mind. Local pups could also be spotted trotting by, lapping up the fresh air with their pink tongues flopping about. Along the way, we stopped in a quaint local ice cream parlor to cool off and grab a cone, since what is a summer day without ice cream? And as our final gesture, we devoured our scoops of heaven in front of the marina, watching the sun say its goodbye ever so slowly, reflecting on the cathartic day we had.
After this transformative experience, I was reminded again why I love exploring the unseen in a familiar place. I’ve been living in Boston for two years now and still haven’t ventured out of the city boundaries. When so much of my life is encompassed by Commonwealth Avenue and the area surrounding it, it’s hard to see even the depths of Boston, let alone travel somewhere outside of the city itself. While I’m all about routines and a steady schedule, I find that the repetition and monotony can become exhausting in its own way after time. It’s easy to lose sight of purpose. Now more than ever, I’ve been seeking ways to solidify a comfortable daily schedule while incorporating time to break up the sameness, to make life feel more alive and every moment feel more present.
Coffee is my lifeline, every morning, afternoon and night—and occasionally in between. Find me café hopping with my nose buried in a book and a cappuccino by my side for good company. I’ll never pass up a chance to explore this adventure-packed city and its unique, bustling yet mellow culture.
