Sunshine Problems
- Bailee Chavez
- Jun 18
- 3 min read
Perhaps you’ve heard of Taylor Swift’s song called Champagne Problems. If you didn’t know, champagne problems are inconveniences wrapped in privilege.
If you’re like me and don’t drink champagne, it might be easier to remember what this term means if we call them “sunshine problems” instead.
The recent rainstorms have made me so thankful for the sunny days. Each sunny day feels like a gift.
Even if it feels a bit too toasty outside, I remind myself of the gift of sunshine.
What a privilege it is to have to put on sunscreen before going outside because the sun is out and shining—it’s a June babe’s dream (me, hello).
This is the kind of problem I long to have on the days it's pouring outside. What I would give for it to be “too sunny.”
In thinking about this concept, I got to thinking about how many more of my perceived problems are privileges.
What a privilege it is to have a hard day at work at the job I prayed for.
What a privilege it is to finally be paid for my labor after years of grades being my compensation.
What a privilege it is to get up and use the degree I fought for.
What a privilege it is to have family members to disagree with.
What a privilege it is to live with my parents and get to save money.
What a privilege it is to have parents who love and protect me in a way that sometimes feels like too much.
What a privilege it is to get to choose how I spend my free time instead of having it filled with wife and mom responsibilities just yet.
What a privilege it is to be relied on.
You see… so many privileges.
Now, I know it doesn’t always help to slap gratitude on our real issues. It’s like when someone tells a person who’s struggling with an eating disorder to just eat and be grateful they have food on their plates.
Champagne (sunshine) problems—untreated and neglected—lead to bigger problems.
But zooming out and looking at the good fortune that makes such problems possible can remove some of the sting and grant one enough strength to address it.
Wrapped in gratitude, instead of anger, it can be easier to find a solution.
With this perspective, I’ve even been able to find some sunshine problems on rainy days too.
Recently, a power outage happened in the middle of the night. I was in my cozy bed with a flashlight and fan next to me if I needed it. Things weren’t so bad. At least I was watching the storm in the comfort of my own room.
With the strength this gratitude gave me, I decided to look out the window instead of sulk in annoyance.
For the first time in my whole life, I felt peaceful watching the storm in a house with no electricity.
The way the thunder rolled and the lightning lit up the sky was actually quite beautiful. And, contrary to my prior fears, I actually slept quite well that evening.
Readers, when facing everyday annoyances, consider how many of are actually sunshine problems.
And even on the rainy days, remember that every storm cloud has a silver lining… take Wednesday Addams herself, for example.
My little storm cloud.
- Gomez Addams
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