August Doesn’t Have to Slip Away: How to Hold Space for the End of Summer

As the days start to feel a little shorter and the school supply shelves fill up, a quiet shift begins. This part of summer can feel strange. It’s a mix of exhaustion, pressure to get organized, and the bittersweet feeling that another season is slipping away.

August can bring a wave of burnout. Parents are stretched thin trying to juggle work and back-to-school prep. Helping professionals are heading into a busy season without having had much of a break. Freshman college students are fantasizing about what their new dorm room will look like. Even those without the back-to-school transition might feel a sense of fatigue or emotional heaviness without fully understanding why.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not the only one. August often moves quickly, and it’s easy to feel like you should have done more or feel more ready for fall. But maybe this is the moment to slow down instead.

And here’s something to remember: summer isn’t over just because the stores are full of Halloween decorations or the school calendar is starting to fill up. There’s still time to enjoy what’s left. It’s okay to move at your own pace.

Here are a few simple ways to hold space for yourself this month:

• Recognize that burnout might be setting in. The heat, the constant activity, and emotional buildup from the summer can be draining.

  
  

• Take a breath before the next season. Set aside even a few minutes to reflect on what this summer was really like for you. What did you enjoy? What was hard? Are there still some activities you can take advantage of before the season changes?

  
  

• Release the pressure to have done it all. Maybe the vacation didn’t happen. Maybe the reset you hoped for didn’t come. That doesn’t mean the summer was a waste.

  
  

• Ease back into routine. You don’t have to flip a switch into fall mode. Give yourself permission to transition slowly.

Whether you’re soaking up the last bits of sunshine or counting down to cooler days, give yourself grace. It’s okay to feel a little tired. It’s okay to not feel ready. And it’s okay to enjoy what’s left of summer, even if the world around you is already jumping ahead.

If you’re feeling worn down or overwhelmed, therapy can be a space to regroup. Our team at Connected Therapy is here to support you. You can call us at (775) 622-4799 to get started.

For more immediate support, or if you are in crisis, reach out to Reno Behavioral Healthcare Hospital, Carson Tahoe Behavioral Health, or the 988 Crisis Line.