Share on bsky
I usually beg for summer by mid-April.
As the cold weather slowly fades away, I get excited for more sunshine and longer, warmer days.
We kicked off our summer early last year. We were already hitting the beach by April and eating watermelon sticks with sandy toes by May.
It was my toddler’s official “first” summer.
He was two years old, attending swimming classes, and past the phase of putting sand in his mouth. We were elated, and also excited to see him build sandcastles for the first time.
I wanted to make the best of our summer, and my fear of missing out led me to say yes to everything. For more than three months, my son had multiple playdates a week and never passed up a birthday party invitation. We camped, hiked, and attended festivals. We tried new things and made unforgettable memories.
However, it all came at a cost…
My personal life fell behind—especially my work, self-care, and personal family time. That was the unfortunate result of my unconditional yeses. By August, I was exhausted. I just wanted summer to end and rain to drizzle again. The extra sunshine was draining me and the longer days weren’t cutting it anymore.
That was when I realized that summer burnout is real. We talk extensively about holiday burnout but don’t talk enough about how summer is just as draining. Because it marks the end of a long, cold season and the bright days naturally increase our serotonin levels, summer indirectly forces us to remain busy.
To make the best of the hot season, we consciously or unconsciously increase our socialization and outdoor activities. And as parents, we feel this huge pressure to keep our children productive in summertime, which ultimately makes us feel guilty, even if our children are constantly engaged in happy activities.
But, what if the opposite is true? What if rest is as important? What’s the point of having a perfect, happy summer if you end up feeling depleted by the end of it?
This summer, I’m making different choices. I’m prioritizing my happiness and the comfort of my family, even if that means staying in or saying no to some plans.
Not all my moments will be Instagrammable, and that’s perfectly okay.
I want to teach my son that his own well-being is more valuable than constant social connection. I want to teach him how to plan small breaks when he needs them the most—to listen to our body’s cues when something feels off. With him, I’m planning to redefine what a good, happy summer means.
This summer, I’m doing things:
>> slowly
>> mindfully
>> and kindly.
I want to slow down and stop having one-minute showers. I want to be mindful about what I’m doing and stop acting on autopilot. And lastly, I want to remain kind, to myself and to the world, whether I’m resting or out and about. Because the sad truth is we tend to lose our kind and mindful nature when we’re too busy making memories.
So, make the best of your summer by staying mindful of your own mental health. We can embrace and honor summertime without compromising our routine and needs. Let’s enjoy what matters—what really, really matters.
Because at the end of the day, it’s not the sheer volume of plans that matters—it’s the company and the quality.
So no, we don’t need to attend every birthday and BBQ. We don’t need to be over-scheduled in order to be happy. We don’t need to fill every single moment and every single day so we can feel more dynamic. Let’s set boundaries on our time by saying some nos. Let’s rest, really rest, even if it’s just for 15 minutes a day to unwind and take a few mindful breaths.
~
author: Elyane Youssef
Image: Author's own
Read 0 comments and reply