3 Best Tips to Survive and Cope with End of Summer Blues

Summer should get a speeding ticket. Life Transformation Coach. Mindset Mentor. Work Life Balance. Confidence

While summer does not officially end on Labor Day, it feels pretty much over when Labor Day rolls in. The carefree summer fun days get replaced with somewhat structured fall days, especially for parents with back-to-school routines. There is no more leaving work early on Fridays. No bonfires and barbeques to look forward to. On top of that, the days are now getting shorter and cooler too quickly.

Let’s face it, it’s a transition. And transitions can be challenging. So, it’s common to feel a bit of sadness and gloom in the air.

That’s why I thought I’d share 3 ideas on how to close the summer more positively and make way for a great fall.

1. Acknowledge the Feeling & Reframe It

First of all, it’s natural to feel lethargic and sluggish with fewer hours of light. But maybe you were also busy trying to make the most of summer days, and that can leave you feeling a bit worn out. So, it’s common and normal to feel kind of low at the end of summer. But rather than fighting it, you have to remind yourself that it is normal to feel this way around this time of the year. You are human having human feelings. This, however, does not give you a free pass to dwell in your sadness.

You have to force yourself to focus your attention on happier things. Cognitive reframing is a super-effective technique to deal with sadness and anxiety. So instead of fixating on reasons you hate summer being over, remember all the things you love about the fall season.

Pumpkin spice lattes, hot chocolate, apple cider, cozy sweaters, walks in the park with gorgeous fall colors, apple picking, reading by the fireplace, favorite TV shows, game nights, and slowing down. Need I say more?

Focusing on the positives and feeling grateful are the two most straightforward ways to feel happier. Plus, it makes you more resilient, i.e., a person that cannot be taken down very easily.

With all these lovely tokens of September days are here, with summers best of weather and the autumns beast of cheer. -Helen Hunt Jackson. Life Transformation Coach. Mindset Mentor. Work Life Balance. Confidence

2. Re-evaluate Your Personal Goals & Priorities

The start of a new season is a great time to check-in and start thinking about what’s next. The shorter days and cooler weather definitely free up some time in your social calendar. So, what can be more exciting than working on yourself and setting new goals for yourself?

Spend some of this newfound free time to evaluate your year so far and also things you really love to happen before the end of the year. Yup, goal setting and evaluation need to be done at the start of every quarter and not just on January 1st. If you plan and evaluate seasonally, you’re more likely to stick to your plans and accomplish your goals.

Here are some basic questions to help you reflect and plan your end-of-year personal strategy.

So far, what are you proud of accomplishing this year?
What did you want to achieve by this time of the year but have not been able to? And, why?
What do you want to accomplish this fall and winter? (Both personal and professional, I recommend having 3 goals to focus on per quarter)
What needs to happen to help you start next year strong and on the right foot?
What practical steps do you need to take to make your year-end goals a reality?

It’s essential to write these out in a place where you can easily look at them every day. We all know that out of sight is out of mind. Therefore, keeping these goals visible will allow you to keep them at the forefront of your attention. You are then more likely to make choices that lead you to reach your goals.

3. Indulge in Self-Care & Spruce Up Your Space

The fall season is made for self-care! It’s essential to make some ‘me-time,’ especially if you are feeling down, and indulge in taking care of your needs and filling your cup.

Some self-care ideas for you: Restart your meditation practice, pick up a journal to reconnect with yourself & check in with your emotions, prepare and eat healthy and nourishing meals, spa day (if possible), read a good book, nature walks, make a vision board, stretch more, sleep in, Epsom salt baths, creative projects.

One area of self-care that is often neglected is personal development. So think about how you can improve yourself, i.e., be more empowered physically, emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually.

Another great way to take care of yourself is to make your space cozier and create a sanctuary where you can indulge in self-care. Clearing the clutter to make space for new, organizing, and beautifying your place is sure to lift the mood. So plan a fun day or a weekend to mark the new season with some space reorganization and redecoration. Perhaps paint an accent wall? Treat yourself by investing in some new pieces?

Always maintain a kind of summer even in the middle of winter. -Henry David Thoreau. Life Transformation Coach. Mindset Mentor. Work Life Balance. Confidence

Final Thoughts:

Summer blues are real. August anxiety is real. September sadness is real.

But you know what is more real? The power of your mindset.

So take your happy-go-lucky summer mindset into September and beyond. Why not? Continue to have fun and do things that you enjoy. Don’t allow the gloom in the air to pull you down. You are in control, and you dictate how you feel. Yes, you! So get pumped and motivated, maybe even cozied up to make the most of the next season.