Why Summer Is My Least Favorite Season
When I’m talking to someone and the topic of conversation turns to “What’s your favorite season?” (happens more often than you might think, I’m a big icebreaker question person), there’s a decent chance that the person I’m talking to is going to say “Summer.” Okay, that’s logical. For some, school’s out, which often means more free time to hang out and do the things you love. It means lounging by the pool, going on vacation, spending more time with loved ones, and getting to wear shorts 24/7 (well, for some at least). It means fun. Relaxation. Freedom. Even if you’re working a full-time job, there’s just something about Summer. Something in the air that distinguishes it from other seasons, and gives it a desirable aura. It’s something to look forward to.
When someone asks me the same question, I always say “Winter.” As far as I can recall, even as a kid, I rarely said Summer. Now, that doesn’t mean I haven’t looked forward to Summer or done fun things during this season; many of the most fun, memorable moments of my life have happened between June and August! I’ve gone to summer camps, gone on trips with my family, and had fun, memorable experiences. However, as I’ve gotten older, the way I think about Summer has changed quite a bit. Of course it has, inevitably: I’m not a kid anymore. I’m not––I can’t be–– as carefree, depending on my parents to schedule everything out for me. However, there are other parts about the season that I have increasingly soured on.
One of these is feeling left out. On social media, and in pretty much all media in general, Summer is portrayed as the time to spend time with friends, and go on epic adventures with them, or at least a 3 am trip to the closest fast food joint. Teenagers, especially, are subject to this trope, like in many coming-of-age films and books (the second and third seasons of Heartstopper, which, to be clear, I adore more than anything, immediately pop into my mind). There are summer flings, road trips, and parties. However, not all people have such experiences––some by choice, others not so much. Due to various circumstances growing up, I never experienced any of this “summer magic.” For many, it can be an extremely lonely season. You feel left out, as if wasting away your youth and missing out on these experiences that society cherishes beyond belief. You may ask yourself why you’re not out there, why you don’t have that friend group you’re going to take over the world with, or that Summer crush, which may or may not be futile, but is a crush nonetheless. You may look through your window (or Instagram feed) and ask yourself: “Why not me?” You may also ask yourself, as I often have, “Why don’t I want this?” If you’re a homebody or simply someone who enjoys spending time alone, you may feel like something is wrong with you, like you’re missing out on something important.
Another thing that pops into my mind are the perceived millions of summertime trends and aesthetics; there’s “Hot Girl Summer,” “Tomato Girl Summer,” “Coastal Grandma Summer,” “Soft Summer,” more recently “Brat Summer,” and the list goes on. All of these come with their own vibes that present through outfits, makeup, and even a general personality or mindset. Similar to the point above about feeling left out, this is especially applicable here; not everyone has the means to participate in such trends, or even an interest in doing so. But when one’s feed is bombarded by people following them and appearing all the better for it, both mentally and somehow almost always physically, it can take a toll. I’ve never had the desire to follow trends; however, it’s easy even for me to feel like I’m missing something by not doing so. Ah, the beauty of social media.
With the arrival of Summer also comes, for many (myself included), feelings of anticipatory dread for what’s ahead. Summer is but a brief interlude, after all––as much as one may love this season, everyone knows that it won’t last forever. For students, especially, it feels so temporary, because it is. It is but a blimp, a pause from what society tells us (and I’m not necessarily arguing) really matters: hard work, perhaps in the form of academics, employment, or various duties that one may be subject to fulfill throughout the year. For people who dread such things, for various reasons, this can make Summer nothing more than a season of anxiety and apprehension. It can be hard to live in the moment when you aren’t looking forward to the future.
Of course, there’s also the weather and the fact that with increasing temperatures, stepping outside and doing traditionally seasonal things (i.e. going to the beach or the pool) can feel torturous and downright impossible. But that’s a topic for another day.
Summer can be great. It can be transformative. Full of new experiences. But it can also be someone’s least favorite season, for whatever reason, all of which are valid. Not everyone’s Summer can, should, or will look the same. And that’s completely okay.
