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Summer, Our Way: Enjoy the Break While Avoiding FOMO and Burnout

The sun is out, exams are over (or nearly), and suddenly everyone’s posting beach days, road trips, concerts, and adventures online. Summer’s supposed to be a break - so why does it sometimes feel stressful, even a little… lonely?

Whether we’re hyped, drained, or somewhere in between, it’s normal to feel pressure to do summer right. But what if we took a different approach—one that prioritises our mental health just as much as making memories?

Here are a few tips to help us enjoy our summers without burning out or falling into the FOMO trap.

What Even Is FOMO?

FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) hits hardest when we scroll through social media and feel like everyone’s living their best life… except us. It makes us doubt our choices, feel left out, or question our worth. But here’s the truth: social media is a highlight reel. Most people post the good stuff, not the boring, awkward or lonely bits. Comparing our real life to someone else’s curated feed is like comparing our behind-the-scenes to their movie trailer.

Signs Summer Might Be Messing with Our Mental Health

• Feeling anxious when we're not "doing enough"
• Saying yes to everything—even when we’re tired
• Feeling left out or disconnected from friends
• Avoiding rest because it feels “lazy”

The goal isn’t to do more. It’s to do what matters to us.

5 Tips to Enjoy Our Summer

1. Design the perfect summer. We don’t have to force ourselves to do things we don’t want to—summer should reflect who we are, not the algorithm.
2. Balance our energy (not just our calendars). It's easy to overbook and end up burnt out. Rest isn't wasting summer—it's protecting it.
3. Notice the FOMO—then let it go. Acknowledge the feeling, it's human. But then we can shift the focus to what's meaningful for us. Don’t let others' summers define what ours should be like.
4. Create moments, not pressure. The best memories often come from spontaneous walks, laughing over snacks and simple occasions—not "Instagram-perfect" plans. Prioritise connection, fun, and presence over perfection or posting.
5. Check in with ourselves. Ask: How am I feeling today? Maybe try writing a quick note about our mood, energy, or highlights of the day. Tracking how we feel can help us stay grounded.

If we're feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or down—it’s always a good idea to talk to someone. That might be a therapist, a trusted friend, a support line or a family member. Just like we'd rest a sprained ankle, it's okay to rest our minds too.

We don't need to have the "best summer ever" to make it meaningful. Our version of summer might include big adventures, quiet mornings, deep rest, or small joys—all of it counts. Let go of the pressure to perform and focus instead on what feels good to us.

Breathe. Unplug when needed. Laugh a lot. Sleep in sometimes. If we are doing our best, we're doing it right.

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Article date 9th July 2025

Article written by Miguel De Rama, Year 13 A level Student