Summer Like a Popsicle: Sweet, Simple, and Yours to Savor
Photo by Alison Marras on Unsplash
Summer doesn’t have to be packed with plans or picture-perfect to be meaningful.
In fact, the best summers are a lot like popsicles—sweet, simple, and best enjoyed slowly before they melt.
If you’re feeling pressure to “make the most” of summer or keep up with everyone else’s highlight reels, take a breath. Here are a few gentle reminders to help you soak up this season—your way.
Let FOMO Melt Away
It’s tempting to feel like you’re missing out when social media is filled with beach trips, festivals, and poolside selfies. But remember: not everything that looks fun is fulfilling. You don’t have to do everything to have a great summer. Sometimes the sweetest moments are the quietest ones—like melting into a hammock or saying no to yet another event. Let your “no” be the stick that helps your popsicle stay intact.
Savor the Drips
Gratitude is the art of noticing the good stuff as it happens. The cold bite of watermelon, the hum of crickets, the warmth of sun on your shoulders—these are the drippy, sticky, beautiful moments that make summer memorable. Try jotting down one thing you’re grateful for each day or pausing at sunset to reflect. Even fleeting joys are worth savoring.
Go at Your Own Chill Pace
Not every summer day needs to be filled to the brim. Like a popsicle, if you rush too fast, you’ll miss the flavor (and maybe get a brain freeze). Give yourself permission to go slow, cancel plans, or take a nap. Rest is productive. Your pace is enough.
Scroll Lightly
If summer scrolling starts to feel like comparison overload, give yourself a screen-time reset. Social media is a highlight reel—not real life. You’re not falling behind—you’re just living a different version of summer. Mute, unfollow, or take a break as needed. Your mental health matters more than likes.
Feel It All—Even the Melty Parts
Even in the sunshine, you’re allowed to feel sad, anxious, overwhelmed, or off. Emotions are part of being human. You don’t have to be “on” just because it’s July. Some days are smooth, and some get sticky. That’s okay. Let yourself feel it all.
Therapy Is a Summer Treat, Too
You don’t have to wait for a meltdown to reach out. Therapy isn’t just for hard seasons—it’s a space for reflection, support, and grounding. Kind of like sitting in the shade with something cool in your hand. It’s a way to care for your mind and heart, no matter the weather.
We are here for all of it!
About the Author
After spending years in a local community mental health setting and group practice in leadership positions, Tina D. Shah (PsyD, LP) decided to start Collaboration for Psychological Wellness, LLC to expand access and reduce barriers to services.