“Wake me up when September ends?”

When the Summer Ends: Reflections on Seasonal Blues

Does anyone else feel a little tug of sadness when summer ends? When the long, bright days give way to shorter, duller ones, and the sun seems to disappear from our lives? I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately all about that shift in the air, the way evenings draw in earlier, and how it can affect people differently.

Some people really struggle with a thing called Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD which is a form of depression linked to changes in sunlight. It’s believed that the lack of sun reduces our dopamine levels and can make it harder to feel happy. I’ve never struggled much with it at this time of year, because I always have so much to look forward to being a fucking witch and Halloween around the corner But I can absolutely understand how the end of summer and the start of winter could hit hard for some. It must feel like a double whammy: the light is leaving, the outdoors are less inviting, and the world seems a little greyer and lonelier.

For those who feel it, the beginning of winter can be daunting. You can’t spend time in the garden because it’s wet or cold. The children are cooped up inside, energy running high, and the hours of sunlight that once carried us through the day are gone. If you’re single, this can feel especially isolatingthe quiet evenings, the empty  in the house, and the pressure to find warmth and connection within yourself. Which is a new thing for me which I’m now loving but it’s took a while l must admit.

I think the hardest part is the contrast. Summer gives us that freedom, that light, that sense of infinite possibility. When it fades, it’s easy to feel like something is missing and it’s not just sunlight, but energy, vibrancy, and even joy. The shift can feel like an anti-climax, and it’s natural to feel it.

But even in the dullness, there’s space to create light in other ways. Cozy rituals, warm drinks, seasonal scents, candlelight, and small moments of connection can help offset the gloom. Planning small joys a good book, a movie night, or even a brisk walk in the crisp air can bring a little sunshine back into your day once you do it but the hard parts doing it. for those who do feel the weight of this seasonal shift more deeply, acknowledging it without shame is powerful. Feeling low at this time of year doesn’t make you weak; it makes you human. I always get it after Christmas and new year a complete anti climax.

I also think it’s okay to just be with the feeling. To notice the void without fighting it. Sometimes, “accepting that the world is changing, that the days are shorter, and that the rhythm of life is shifting is the first step to finding calm within it. And in that space, you might notice little things you’d otherwise miss: the warm glow of lights in the windows, the comfort of a blanket, the laughter of children echoing indoors, or a quiet moment of reflection with a cup of tea.

So if you’re struggling with this time of year, know that you’re not alone. Many of us feel the weight of the seasonal shift, and it’s okay to seek warmth, comfort, and connection even in small doses. The light may be leaving outside, but we can carry our own little sparks inside. And sometimes, that’s enough to get us through until the sun finds us again.