Sad Summer Is Over? How to Feel Happier as Fall Begins
There is something about the first stretch of cold, raw fall weather that can feel...a little depressing.
One minute we're outside until 8 PM, taking vacations, eating dinner on the patio, and feeling like there's a little more room in our lives.
And then suddenly...
It's cold.
It's dark earlier.
The calendar fills up.
Work gets busy.
School schedules take over.
And the laid-back feeling of summer seems to disappear almost overnight.
If you're missing summer right now, I don't think you necessarily need to convince yourself not to. It’s one of the very things that I am talking to my clients about right now.
It's Okay to Miss a Season You Loved
Sometimes we rush ourselves through uncomfortable emotions. Fall is beautiful! I should appreciate it! I love sweaters! Look at the leaves!
Sure. And you can also miss sitting outside on a warm night.
Both can be true.
When something we enjoyed ends, there's often a little sense of loss…even when the change is completely normal.
So rather than fighting the feeling, acknowledge it: I really loved that season of my life. And I'm sad it's over.
Then we can begin looking toward what's next.
Try Anticipatory Joy
One of my favorite happiness practices that I often teach is incredibly simple: Give yourself something to look forward to.
We tend to think the happiness comes when the enjoyable thing happens. But anticipation itself can be pleasurable. Think about planning a vacation. Part of the fun isn't just getting there.
It's researching the hotel.
Imagining the beach.
Talking about what you'll do.
Looking at restaurants.
Counting down the days.
We get to enjoy the experience before we've even experienced it. And we can use that same idea on a MUCH smaller scale.
You don't need a big vacation. Put something enjoyable on your calendar:
Dinner with someone you love.
A hike somewhere beautiful.
Tickets to a show.
A massage.
A Saturday morning at your favorite coffee shop.
A weekend away.
Apple picking.
A new restaurant.
Or an afternoon when you deliberately plan...nothing.
The important part is that when you see it on your calendar, you think: Ohhhh...I'm looking forward to that!!
Fall Can Also Be a Fresh Start
There's another opportunity hidden in this seasonal transition.
Summer often gives us permission to loosen things up. And sometimes that's exactly what we need.
But there can also be something really good about getting back into a rhythm. Fall can become a natural reset point.
Instead of thinking: Ugh. Back to reality.
Try asking: What do I want this season to be FOR?
Maybe this is the season you get back into your morning walks.
Maybe you start going to bed earlier.
Maybe you finally tackle the project you've been putting off.
Maybe you take the class.
Maybe you start saving for something you want.
Maybe you return to a goal that got pushed aside over the summer.
Don't overhaul your entire life Monday morning. Choose one thing.
Small action creates momentum. And momentum can feel really good!
⬆️ An Idea to Uplevel Your Week
Try two things this week.
First: Plan one thing for JOY.
Put something on your calendar that you genuinely look forward to.
Then let yourself enjoy the anticipation of it.
Second: Choose one thing for MOMENTUM.
Ask yourself: What would feel good to begin—or begin again—this fall?
Then take one tiny action toward it.
You don't have to choose between grieving summer and embracing fall.
You can miss the warm nights, slower schedules and vacation feeling... AND create things that make this season feel good too.
Maybe the question isn't: How do I get summer back?
Maybe it is: What could I create in this season that I will eventually miss, too?
Isn’t that so much better?
⬆️ Want more help…? On Instagram, I share a TON of tips and inspiration to help live a life with more joy and less stress. I’d love to see you there! @uplevellifecoach Just click HERE!
⬆️ Would you love more personalized support?
Reading about these tools is one thing. Figuring out how to apply them to your life…well, that’s another. That’s where I can really help!! I’ve done it myself and helped countless clients do it too. We can get to the root of what’s keeping you stressed, and really change things so that you feel good again. Ping me HERE!
💛 More joy. Less stress. A life that feels good to live.
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