Longer days, bright skies, holidays, and smiling faces on social media – summer is often painted as the happiest season of the year. It’s a time many associate with freedom, fun, and relaxation. But for some, summer can feel anything but carefree.
If you’ve ever found yourself feeling low, anxious, or overwhelmed during the warmer months – while everyone else seems to be enjoying themselves – please know you’re not alone.
There’s often a quiet pressure to feel good in summer. And when your inner world doesn’t match the bright exterior of the season, it can leave you feeling confused, guilty, or out of step. Let’s talk about why that happens, and how you can honour your emotions – even in the sunshine.
The Hidden Pressure of Summer
Many people find winter challenging, and that’s widely accepted. But summer carries its own kind of emotional weight – often unspoken and unexpected.
Here are just a few reasons summer might feel overwhelming:
1. The Pressure to Be Happy
There’s a social expectation that summer is a happy time. When everything around you – adverts, social media, conversations – promotes joy and fun, it can be difficult to acknowledge your own struggles. You may feel like there’s something wrong with you for not feeling the same.
2. Body Image Triggers
Warmer weather often brings with it a shift in clothing, increased exposure, and sometimes heightened self-awareness. For those who struggle with body image or self-esteem, summer can stir up feelings of comparison, discomfort, or shame.
3. Social Expectations
Summer is packed with events – barbecues, holidays, festivals, family days out. If you’re someone who needs quiet or solitude to recharge, the pressure to constantly socialise can feel exhausting.
4. Financial Stress
Holidays, childcare during school breaks, days out and activities – summer can be an expensive time. The pressure to provide memorable experiences, especially as a parent, can lead to financial strain and emotional guilt.
5. Change in Routine
For many, summer disrupts the usual rhythm of life. Whether it’s the absence of school structure, increased childcare demands, or even changes at work, this shift can leave some people feeling unsettled or out of control.
“Why Am I Not Enjoying This?”
When you don’t feel how you think you should, it can create a painful disconnect. You might think:
- “Everyone else seems to be enjoying themselves – why can’t I?”
- “I should be making the most of this time.”
- “I’m being ungrateful.”
- “Something must be wrong with me.”
But emotions don’t follow the seasons. They don’t check the calendar before they show up. Your feelings are valid, even if they don’t match what’s going on around you.
Honouring Your Emotions in the Summer Months
If you’re struggling with low mood, anxiety, or simply a sense of disconnection this summer, here are a few gentle reminders:
1. It’s Okay to Feel How You Feel
You don’t have to feel joyful just because the sun is shining. Your emotions are not a failure – they are a response to your unique experience. Give yourself permission to feel exactly as you do, without comparison.
2. Create Your Own Version of Summer
You don’t have to follow the mainstream image of summer to have a meaningful season. What does your version of summer look like? It might be slower, quieter, or more focused on rest. That’s okay.
3. Set Boundaries with Social Plans
It’s okay to say no to events that feel draining. You can choose what brings you connection and what brings you peace. Saying no is not selfish – it’s self-care.
4. Step Away from the Scroll
Social media can amplify the pressure to feel a certain way. If you find yourself comparing or feeling left behind, consider taking a break or curating your feed to include content that soothes rather than stirs.
5. Talk About It
You’re likely not the only one feeling this way. Opening up to a trusted friend or therapist can help you process your emotions and feel less alone. You don’t have to carry your feelings in silence.
Final Thoughts
Summer, like any season, can bring a mix of emotions. Joy, exhaustion, peace, sadness, contentment, anxiety – they can all coexist. Just because the world looks bright on the outside doesn’t mean you have to feel sunny on the inside.
If this summer feels heavy or confusing, please be kind to yourself. You’re not doing summer “wrong.” You’re simply human – and all of your feelings are welcome.
If you’d like a gentle, supportive space to explore what you’re feeling, therapy can help. Whether you’re navigating overwhelm, pressure, or simply want to reconnect with yourself, I’m here to walk alongside you.
Bridget
Bridget Jenkins Counselling 