When Summer Isn’t Relaxing: How to Cope with Seasonal Expectations and Disappointment

Summer is often portrayed as a magical reset button—three months of freedom, fun, and carefree energy. But for many college students and young adults, summer doesn’t live up to the hype. Maybe you’re working full time, stuck at home, feeling isolated, or just not having the “best summer ever” like everyone else seems to on social media.

If your summer has felt more stressful than relaxing, you’re not alone—and there’s nothing wrong with you. At Blue Square Counseling, we work with students and young adults across Massachusetts (in Billerica, Lexington, and via telehealth) who are learning to navigate the emotional weight of seasonal pressure and unmet expectations.

Why Summer Can Feel Emotionally Complicated

Summer can bring a mix of freedom and stress. While you may not have classes, other pressures often take their place:

• Financial stress from working extra hours or unpaid internships

• Family tension if you’re back home and feeling stuck in old dynamics

• Loneliness if friends have scattered or your schedule doesn’t align

• Guilt for not being “productive” or doing something Instagram-worthy

Add to that the social comparison trap (“everyone else is traveling, thriving, glowing up…”) and it’s easy to spiral into disappointment or self-criticism.

The Problem with Summer Expectations

We’re bombarded with cultural messages that summer is supposed to be:

• Relaxing

• Exciting

• Romantic

• Transformational

• Productive

But here’s the truth: expectations shape our experience—and when summer doesn’t match the fantasy, it can trigger feelings of failure, sadness, or anxiety.

If you find yourself thinking:

• “Why am I not doing more?”

• “I thought this summer would feel better.”

• “Everyone else seems happy—what’s wrong with me?”

Know that these thoughts are common and valid. Therapy can help you unpack them and shift your self-talk toward something more compassionate.

Signs You Might Be Struggling Emotionally This Summer

Even without classes, your nervous system can still be overloaded. Signs of summer stress or disappointment may include:

• Feeling unmotivated or emotionally “numb”

• Irritability, restlessness, or boredom that won’t go away

• Comparing yourself constantly to others online

• Increased anxiety, especially about the fall semester

• Struggles with body image, especially in a season that emphasizes appearance

These aren’t just “bad moods.” They’re signals that you might need support—and that’s okay.

How Therapy Helps with Seasonal Stress and Summer Blues

Counseling for college students and young adults isn’t just for school-year stress. Summer can be a great time to slow down, reflect, and work on yourself in a low-pressure setting.

At Blue Square Counseling, we support young adults in-person in Billerica and Lexington, MA, and statewide via telehealth therapy. We use approaches like CBT, mindfulness, and trauma-informed care to help you cope with summer disappointment and rediscover your emotional footing.

Here’s how therapy can help:

1. Challenge the “Perfect Summer” Myth

Your therapist can help you untangle internalized expectations and social comparison so you can define what a meaningful summer looks like for you—not just what’s trending on TikTok or Instagram.

2. Process Emotional Ups and Downs

Whether you're dealing with a difficult job, family conflict, or loneliness, therapy gives you a nonjudgmental space to talk about it all. Sometimes just naming the disappointment can bring relief and clarity.

3. Reconnect with Yourself

Summer can be an opportunity for self-reflection. Through talk therapy, art-informed approaches, or mindfulness practices, we help you reconnect with your values, goals, and sense of purpose—even if things didn’t go as planned.

4. Build Emotional Tools Before Fall

If summer hasn’t been restful, fall might feel especially daunting. Therapy now helps you prepare mentally for the semester ahead with stronger coping skills and greater resilience.

It’s Okay If Summer Isn’t Your Season

You don’t have to fake positivity or pretend everything’s fine. If you’re feeling off this summer—emotionally, mentally, or socially—it’s a valid experience. And you’re not the only one going through it.

Blue Square Counseling is here to support college students and young adults across Massachusetts with therapy that’s affirming, accessible, and tailored to your needs. Whether in person or via online therapy, we’ll meet you where you are—literally and emotionally.

Ready to take care of your mental health—even in the off-season?
Reach out today to schedule your first session and explore therapy options in Billerica, Lexington, or via telehealth.