Is it just us, or is Summer the most anticipated season? It’s like there is a universal countdown to the summer months and everyone is constantly talking about their summer plans, where they are going, what they are doing and what they are looking forward to.

It makes sense, of course. The brighter mornings, longer days, lighter vibe and relaxed energy. Summer is thrilling. It’s as though we, as a nation, experience an energy shift and everyone and everything is just better.

However, with this excitement comes pressure. Because there is so much happening, and it feels like everyone is off living their lives, you may feel left out. You may feel like the only person in the world who doesn’t have incredible summer plans; you’re the only one who isn’t jetting away every week to a tropical destination, and you are the only one who doesn’t have a huge group of friends to enjoy the summer with.

With this pressure, the urge to compare our summers to others and the overwhelming feeling that we aren’t taking enough advantage of the best season, we can, without realising, ruin our own summer. This FOMO, compare and despair and pressure can fundamentally change your summer and the way you experience it, turning it into a season that overwhelms and disappoints you instead of one that is full of spontaneity, joy, happiness and freedom.

Here at GirlDreamer, we love summer. We understand how important this season is in resetting our energy, improving our wellbeing and relaxing our minds. Because of this, we know how important it is to remove the pressure and embrace the season. We ignore the external noise, release expectations and resist the urge to compare ourselves to others to ensure we have an incredible summer. To do the same, check out our top tricks below on how to have the best summer.

Ignore the Pressure

Summer is truly a season of joy. With lighter and brighter energy, this is a season dedicated to finding and fostering joy, fulfilment and peace.

However, because of this, a lot of us believe we need to go out of our way to foster this joy. As though we need to curate those moments of magic and make every moment look like a Pinterest board to align with what others are doing and match the idealised version of summer that we have in our minds.

Because we take these steps and orchestrate magical moments to have the summer of our dreams, we remove the possibility of spontaneous, random joy and those remarkable moments that make our summers extraordinary.

So, to overcome this, we encourage you to ignore the pressure that this season brings. Ignore the overwhelming urge to orchestrate every moment, to have a full calendar, and to say yes to every plan for fear of missing a moment of magic. The beauty of summer is that fulfilment, joy, happiness, and spontaneity can be found so easily without you needing to actively seek it. There is no reason to exhaust yourself trying to make your summer incredible and one to remember. The pressure we put on ourselves to have a magical summer does nothing but overwhelm, and because we put so much pressure on ourselves, when our summer does not match our high expectations, we are, of course, left disappointed.

Removing that pressure and letting joy, peace and fulfilment find you will ensure your summer is one to remember, and not one full of disappointment and meaningless pressure.

Don’t Compare and Despair

We have a ridiculous amount of access to everyone’s lives. One simple scroll, and we can see what complete strangers from around the world are doing.

As a result, it has become very normal to see the ins and outs of the lives of others. The mundane, the lavish, the luxurious and eventful, through social media, we can see it all and as such begin to compare.

Comparing ourselves to others, while inevitable, is completely useless, unproductive and counter-intuitive. Across all aspects of life, it is human-nature to compare yourself to others and take a microscopic look at yourself to examine where you fall short. However, this comparison and consequential despair can be anxiety-inducing and dangerous. Making you feel less than, unsuccessful and boring, comparing yourself to others year round is damaging, but in summer, when it seems everyone is living their best life, it is probably one of the worst things you can do for your own wellbeing.

We do not live the same lives, have the same lifestyles or want the same things. So, if someone’s summer plans are completely different to yours, that does not mean that yours are boring or uninspired.

Your summer is yours to live regardless of how eventful or uneventful it may be.

Comparing your summer to others and allowing external pressures to influence how you spend the season will do more damage than good. We encourage you to live your summer on your terms. Embrace delusion, say yes to only what excites you, and ignore the external noise, pressure and expectations to ensure the summer you have brings you joy, peace and fulfilment.

Here’s to an incredible summer!