When Summer Feels Like Survival.

Summer is just around the corner and there’s something about this that sounds so dreamy on paper.

We’re sold the idea of slowing down. Of long, easy days where everything feels light. Of “making memories” and “soaking it all in.”

But what if you’re not soaking it in?

What if you’re barely holding it together?

What if summer isn’t freedom…It’s just a new version of survival mode.

The Unseen Load of Summer

For so many women (including myself), summer brings an invisible pressure.

You’re still working. Still managing the household. Still tending to everyone else’s needs - only now, the days are longer, the kids are home, the routine is gone, and everything feels… louder.

There’s the financial strain of camps, outings, and extra groceries. The emotional labour of making summer “special.” The guilt of not enjoying it more. And the grief of realizing that the season you hoped would bring rest and downtime has only deepened your exhaustion.

Add in the endless scroll of social media with curated images of smiling families and effortless joy and it’s easy to feel like you’re the only one struggling.

But you’re not.

You’re not alone in this. You’re not failing. You’re just human, and you're carrying more than anyone can see.

You Deserve Space Too

So often, I hear women say, “It’s just a phase. I’ll get through it.” And you will.

But surviving isn’t the same as living. And you deserve more than just making it to September in one piece.

You deserve to feel supported. To feel nourished. To remember who you are beneath the roles and responsibilities. Even if your time is limited. Even if your plate is full. You’re still allowed to take up space.

Small Ways to Care for You This Summer

Here are a few gentle, realistic ways to carve out space for yourself, even in the chaos:

1. Claim a pocket of time just for you every single day.

Not a full day. Not a long bath. Just 5–10 minutes. Step outside with your coffee. Put your headphones on and breathe. Stretch before bed. These tiny moments matter more than you think.

2. Let something go - on purpose.

Skip the elaborate dinner. Say no to that extra day trip. Leave the laundry for tomorrow. Your worth isn't measured by how much you do - it’s in how tenderly you treat yourself while doing it.

3. Create one boundary that protects your energy.

Maybe it’s 15 minutes alone when your partner gets home. Maybe it’s one screen-free hour to be present with your own thoughts. Maybe it's sitting in silence with a new summer read (Carley Fortune books are my favourite!). Maybe it’s asking for help instead of pushing through. Boundaries aren’t walls - they’re doorways back to yourself.

4. Find your anchor.

What helps you feel like you? It might be journaling. Or a walk. Or a breathwork practice. Whatever it is, return to it when everything feels too loud.

5. Let support in.

You don’t have to carry this all alone. Whether it’s a friend, a family member or a neighbour - find somewhere you can be held. You deserve connection, not just responsibility.

It’s Okay if This Season Feels Heavy

If summer doesn’t feel light or freeing, you haven’t done anything wrong.

If you’re tired, irritated, or on the edge of tears some days, that doesn’t make you a bad mom, partner, or woman.

It just means you’re in need of care too. And that’s okay.

So here’s your permission to soften. To say “this is hard” without shame. To choose your own needs without guilt. To give yourself back to yourself - one gentle moment at a time.

You don’t have to wait for September to feel better. You can begin now.

Want support this summer? Join Soul Food Collective, my monthly membership for women - a space for grounding, reflection, and community that includes you in the picture again.

With love,

Mel 💛