Summer Dips

I’ve noticed a pattern over the past few summers here in my Midwest city: they’re getting hotter and more humid. Most days from July through the end of September, it feels like stepping into a wet sauna the moment you walk outside. Needless to say, it doesn’t exactly inspire visions of wonderful, active summer days. Even chilling by the pool feels like too much.

All those goals and plans you made back in winter? Dust. Instead, you find yourself stuck inside, isolating, trying to avoid the kind of heat that leaves you irritable and miserable. Unproductive and wanting to hide in the cool darkness. And right on cue, I start seeing an uptick in clients experiencing depressed moods.

So, here’s your friendly reminder: Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) isn’t just for winter! Many people (myself included) feel it most in the summer. It’s a different flavor of cabin fever, but just as real. You’re stuck inside, clinging to your air conditioning, saying no to plans, feeling grouchy and disconnected. If that sounds like you this past summer, you’re not alone. And guess what? It’s okay.

Summer can suck. And we know that weather impacts mood. This summer was especially rough where I live and if you throw in the stress of, say, our democracy feeling like it’s crumbling before our eyes, it’s no wonder even the most resilient among us found ourselves in a deeper dip than usual.

But here’s the good news: you got through it or you are getting through it. You rode the wave (or the dip, if you prefer), and now the season is shifting.

Now, I’m not here to give you a list of tips on how to avoid SAD. Therapy with me is about accepting that some of these waves may never fully go away. It’s about learning how to ride them more skillfully so you can keep living your life the way you want to — even when things feel heavy.

And the first part of that process? Stop being so hard on yourself. Stop judging how you felt or what you didn’t get done this summer. Telling yourself you “wasted” it or that you shouldn’t feel angry, sad, or lonely doesn’t make those feelings disappear. You’ve tried that. A thousand times. It doesn’t work.

Let go of the judgment. Seriously, it’s not helping. In fact, it’s probably making things worse.

Every year around this time (late September) I hear the same thing from clients: “I feel lighter.” “I feel better.” “I’m not sure what happened but now I feel fine.” It’s like clockwork. If that’s you right now, take advantage of it. Lean into what brings you joy. Use this lighter energy to work on the things that matter to you. And maybe talk with your therapist about how you can prepare for next summer, so that dip doesn’t hit quite as hard.

I’m always happy to help you figure out what would make your life feel better even when the waves and dips keep coming. Because they will, that’s life.