I’ll never forget sitting outside with some friends one evening toward the end of August. Everyone was talking about how the sun went down earlier than it had just a few weeks prior. One girl at the table said nonchalantly that she couldn’t wait for fall to come. Another friend quietly said she always felt overwhelmingly nostalgic when summer was ending.
That really struck a chord with me. I know I’m not the only person who feels weirdly emotional when summer transitions to fall, but you’d never know it by how rarely people talk about it.
You may have experienced it, too. You’re not necessarily sad, but something shifts inside you when summer ends. The air feels different. Everything around you feels a little… off. Suddenly, memories and thoughts creep up on you. Before you know it, you’re analyzing every aspect of your life, relationships, goals, and childhood, even though there was no trigger for this sudden outpouring of emotion.
If you’ve ever found yourself asking why summer ends like clockwork every year only to rip your heart out, you are not alone, my friend.
Something about the end of summer brings up a whirlwind of emotions for many people. Here’s why.
1. You Become More Nostalgic
Nostalgia is usually the first emotion you experience when summer waves goodbye. Something about the first few weeks of falling temperatures and losing daylight hits different. All of a sudden, you remember vacations past, family gatherings at the beach, summers with your childhood friends, or anything else that brings you happiness.
You might also find certain songs bring back memories, or even smells. Cinnamon swirling in your kitchen toward the end of September may take you right back to Grandmother’s house.
Nostalgia hits hard because it’s a reflection of all the good times you’ve experienced. It may make you smile or flood you with emotion. But that doesn’t mean there’s something wrong. Summer just happens to bring about all those fun memories.
Humans associate certain seasons with specific memories, and that’s OK.
Read also: 10 Self-Improvement Summer Goals to Better Yourself
2. Sadness Creeps Up
This is a tough one for many people. You’re not sad something happened, but you’re simply… sad. It kind of sneaks up on you, too.
There will come a moment when you’re doing your usual thing, and suddenly you’ll feel… emptier? Sadder? Like something’s missing.
You won’t even know why at first.
It could be because summer is ending.
Everyone experiences some sort of sadness when a season comes to an end. Your life may be exactly the same as it was the day before, but something inside you knows summer is gone.
Don’t worry, this feeling doesn’t last forever (and it’s certainly not drastic). You may just feel more tired than usual, or down. That’s normal.
Read also: 12 Summer Glow Up Plan To Transform Yourself
3. You Worry About the Future
Once summer starts packing its bags for the year, you may start to feel anxious. Suddenly, your mind is plagued with thoughts of unfinished business.
“What do I need to accomplish before the year is over?”
“What have I done with my life?”
“What are ___ doing that they’re already ___?”
Allowing yourself to feel your emotions is important, but it can also be useful to identify why you feel the way you do. Oftentimes, that anxious feeling summer brings is your mind worrying about your responsibilities.
We also tend to compare ourselves to others during season changes. The end of summer is no exception.
Rather than letting anxiety take over, acknowledge it, then move forward. Accepting that summer is ending can help you mentally prepare for whatever’s next.
Read also: 9 Fun Ways to Glow Up This Summer
4. You’re Feeling More Thankful
On the complete opposite spectrum, many people feel overwhelmingly grateful with each summer’s end.
Maybe you took an amazing vacation with your family that you’ll never forget. Or spent tons of quality time with loved ones. Or maybe you finally slowed down enough to enjoy life. Whatever it is that made your summer special.
The end of summer can inspire feelings of gratitude in many people. When something you love comes to an end, you tend to reflect on what you experienced and enjoyed.
Gratitude is powerful.
Instead of wallowing about summer being over, try thinking about all the great things that happened. Who knows? You may discover some peace along the way.
5. You Feel Like You’ve Lost Something
This feeling is similar to sadness, but distinct in its own way. You may not be mad or upset summer is ending, but you definitely feel like you lost something when it does.
Summer brings about everything we love. Sun. Fun. Vacations. Relaxation. Warm weather. Outdoor adventures. Daylight lingering past 8 PM.
When those things are gone, even for just a season, it feels like you’re saying goodbye to your favorite time of year.
It’s okay to feel this way. Heck, celebrate it if you want!
Endings are a part of life. As much as we wish summer could last forever, winter will come and go too. Just remember that.
6. Excitement Starts to Creep In
This one kind of ties into number four on our list. Sure, you may be sad that summer is coming to a close, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy what fall has to offer!
You may suddenly find yourself feeling excited about cozy nights in, new routines, pumpkin spice everything, Halloween, and so much more. Change is good because it breathes new life into your world.
Humans love excitement. We get bored easily, so welcoming change can help you push through the emotional exhaustion of summer ending.
You may also start feeling inspired to set goals for the upcoming months or get back into routines you let slide when you were relaxing all summer. Change equals motivation.
7. You Become More Reflective
This happens to me every year. September rolls around, and suddenly I feel the need to analyze my entire life.
“Am I happy? Am I where I want to be? Are my relationships where I want them to be? Is my health where I want it to be?”
If these thoughts aren’t swirling in your brain right now, they will. Don’t fight it.
Use this time to reflect on what you want in life. Perhaps spend some time thinking about what you’re grateful for (hello, number four).
Allow yourself to feel all the emotions that come with summer ending, but use this time wisely. It won’t last long!
8. You Suddenly Feel Lonely
Maybe you had a summer full of fun in the sun with friends and family. Now that it’s over, it feels like everyone goes back to their normal lives and you’re suddenly all alone.
It’s normal to feel lonely when summer ends. Everything around you probably feels like it’s coming to a screeching halt. No more concerts in the park. No more BBQs with friends. No more weekend vacations.
You may realize you miss certain people once summer is over. That’s OK! Accept that feeling and move on.
There’s always time to reconnect with loved ones you haven’t seen since summer started. The good news? Winter brings about all kinds of fun, too.
9. Hope Returns
As the old saying goes, when one door closes, another one opens.
You may experience a sense of hope come fall. Summer is ending, but that doesn’t mean your life is stopping.
You have the rest of your life to create new memories. Fall, winter, and spring bring about new opportunities for you to experience joy.
Allow yourself to feel hopeful during this time of transition.
10. Acceptance
At a certain point, you just have to accept that summer is ending. No use crying over spilled milk.
Summer is an incredible season, but so are fall, winter, and spring. There’s a reason each season lasts about three months. Our time here is temporary.
Once you accept that winter will be here before you know it, you’ll feel at peace. It’s okay to be sad that something as great as summer is coming to an end. Just don’t dwell on it.
Enjoy every season for what it is, including the transition periods in between.
Conclusion
There’s no simple answer to the question of why you feel emotional when summer ends. You could feel all of the emotions mentioned above. Or maybe just one.
Emotions aren’t black and white. They ebb and flow with the seasons.
However, if you take anything away from this post, let it be this: allow yourself to feel your emotions.
The end of summer is bittersweet for a reason. Take the time to feel sad, grateful, hopeful, excited, nostalgic, whatever you’re feeling!
Life is about the journey, not the destination. Summer will come and go, but your experiences will stick with you forever.
FAQ
Is it normal to feel sad when summer is ending?
Yes! In fact, many people feel melancholy once summer waves bye bye.
Why am I becoming nostalgic when summer ends?
Summer brings about so many fun experiences. Your brain naturally wants to remember all the good times you’ve had during this time of the year.
Does summer ending affect mental health?
If you’re someone who struggles with seasonal depression, summer ending can definitely affect your mental wellbeing. Make sure to speak with a professional if you feel your mental health is being impacted.
Why am I so anxious when summer ends?
You may start thinking about what you want to accomplish before the year is over. Anxiety tends to set in when we’re worried about the future.
How do I deal with emotions when summer ends?
Acknowledge them! Let yourself feel whatever you’re feeling, but know that it will pass.
Why does everyone love the ending of summer?
They don’t! But many people love all things fall, so that could be why you’ve been surrounded by people in love with the fall season.
Will I ever not feel emotional when summer ends?
Seasonal emotions are completely normal! As you adjust to the changes of the new season, your emotions will stabilize.
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