Even though I haven’t been in school for ages—no bells ringing, no shopping trips with mom and my sister, no schedules—by mid-August, I often feel my stomach tighten. A little voice whispers in my head: something is ending here.
I’m Not Alone in This — And Maybe You’re Not Either
I looked up this feeling to see if others experience it deeply too. Turns out, I’m not the only one. Welsh therapist Ginny Scully named it: autumn anxiety. She noticed many people start feeling tension and unease as early as late August or early September, like something is brewing. It’s not clinical depression or an official diagnosis—just a strange, hard-to-describe but very real feeling.
And it makes sense: autumn brings not just a new season but a new rhythm. New schedules, new tasks, a return to the hustle.
This happens even if nothing obvious changes in your life. Your body, nervous system, and soul somehow remember that this time always marked both an ending and a new beginning.
The Pressure to Perform Peaks in the Last Weeks of Summer
For me, August also brings the trap of performance pressure and FOMO. The feeling that I "should have made the most of summer," that I didn’t spend enough time by the water, didn’t get a deep tan, or rest as much as I wanted. But summer isn’t supposed to be about that—it’s about slowing down, letting the days flow, just being. It’s social media, ads, and that inner voice pushing you to squeeze in one more experience. By the end of August, though, you can’t make up for all the rest and summer memories.
Sunday Syndrome: When Tomorrow Feels Hard
There’s another feeling very similar to this: Sunday evening. You’re still free, but you can’t fully enjoy it because Monday’s shadow looms overhead. This is called the “Sunday scaries,” and many people struggle with it. You’re not resting anymore—you’re just preparing for what’s next. This forward-looking anxiety is a classic sign of an overwhelmed mind. It’s totally understandable that Sundays and August can feel tough because of this. It’s like the present moment doesn’t matter anymore because your brain is already racing toward the next challenge.
How Can You Ease This Feeling?
It’s tough but doable. When you realize this is a recurring wave that comes every year, it loses some of its power. Here’s what helps me:
- Plan “summer” activities for September too. A picnic in the park, a day at the beach, a relaxed breakfast on the terrace—just because the calendar summer ends doesn’t mean the vibe has to. Early September often brings even nicer weather. A short trip then can stretch your summer feeling.
- Create a mindful daily routine. Returning to routine can feel scary, but if you design it yourself—not someone else imposing it—it gives you control. A simple but steady morning routine can work wonders.
- Allow yourself some space. Don’t try to fill every minute. Let yourself not always be in a good mood. Not every day has to be productive—August isn’t about that.
- Stay connected. Arrange plans with others—a quick coffee, dinner, a barbecue—anything that lets you meet friends and family.
It’s not summer’s fault, nor autumn’s—it’s the quiet moment between seasons and before new beginnings. If you’re finding it hard to enjoy the last summer days or feel oddly unsettled without knowing why, know you’re not alone. In fact, this sensitivity might help you experience the return of light even more deeply.
Meanwhile, take a deep breath, watch the sunlight still streaming through your window, and remind yourself: whatever comes, you’ve handled these transitions before, and you’ll get through this one too.
