The Pull of Summer: Staying Present When the Beach Is Calling
There is something about the last few weeks before summer that feels almost impossible to ignore. The days get longer, the sun starts staying out later, the air feels warmer, and suddenly there is excitement everywhere. Kids start counting down school days. Teens begin thinking about beach trips, summer plans, late nights with friends, vacations, sports, and freedom.
Living near the ocean makes this feeling even stronger. We are lucky to have the beach woven into our everyday lives. Sometimes on a warm afternoon, it can feel almost unfair to sit inside finishing homework, studying for finals, or trying to stay productive when the waves are rolling in just a few miles away. Sometimes even adults feel it too — looking outside and thinking, I would rather be anywhere else right now.
The truth is, our minds naturally move toward what feels exciting and rewarding. When summer is peeking around the corner, it makes sense that focus becomes harder. You are not only managing your responsibilities; you are managing anticipation.
But staying focused does not mean ignoring excitement or pretending you are not looking forward to what is coming. It is possible to honor both.
Instead of fighting the excitement, notice it.
"I’m excited for summer."
"I can’t wait for beach days."
"I wish I was outside right now."
Acknowledging those feelings often works better than pushing them away. When we try to ignore excitement, our minds usually pull harder toward it. Giving it space allows us to return to the present with less resistance.
Then ask: What is in front of me right now?
The last few weeks of school or work are often where important things happen. Final projects get completed. Goodbyes happen. Milestones are reached. Memories are made. Sometimes we become so focused on getting to the next thing that we accidentally miss the moment we are standing in.
The beach will still be there.
The sunshine will still be there.
Summer is coming.
For kids and teens, this can be a helpful shift: instead of thinking, "I just have to survive until summer," try thinking, "How can I be where I am today while still being excited for what’s ahead?"
Maybe that looks like:
Finishing homework and then taking a walk outside afterward
Studying while sitting in the sunshine for a little while
Taking a quick beach stop after school instead of feeling like it has to be all or nothing
Finding small moments to enjoy the season now, instead of waiting for summer to officially begin
Life rarely asks us to choose between responsibility and joy. Often it asks us to hold both at the same time.
At Abbey Rose Therapy, we believe presence does not mean giving up excitement about the future. It means allowing yourself to enjoy what is coming while still noticing the beauty of where your feet are planted today.
The waves are coming. Summer is almost here.
For now, take a breath of warm air, feel the sun on your skin, and remember: this moment matters too.
Warmly,
Abbey Vince, AMFT
