The sun is bright and shining. The weather is warm. The days are longer. There is not a single grey cloud in the sky, and I hate every minute of it. Sorry, Allah, I know there is beauty in everything. But when the first days of Spring roll in, my anxiety ramps up!

You know how many people experience Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) during the Autumn and Winter months. Well, I am sure I experience it during Summer. The hot air feels suffocating. Stepping outside, and feeling the sun and hot air envelop you like cling wrap, is what makes me hate Summer. All throughout November to March, I am miserable, to say the least.

‘But what about going to the beach or on a hike?’ Yeah, I enjoy all those things during winter… The salty, chilly air kissing your cheeks as you watch the steam from your hot tea drift into the grey sky. It’s incredibly romantic 💖 — AND BEARABLE! I would choose running in the pouring rain over taking one step outside on a windless day, every time!

And this is not my ploy to be “different”. The summertime is when I become the least social, the most annoyed and anxious😤, and my desire to do anything is a minus.

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Getting ready to go outside is a chore. Finding items that won’t leave me feeling sticky or sweaty is overwhelming. Can’t wear a skirt, because chafing. Is it too hot for jeans? What if my sweat shows through? Is there air-conditioning at the venue? Will we be sitting in the sun? How hot will I get while I drive there? Too much admin.

Don’t even get me started on my fear of smelling gross…and stinky pits 😭😭😭

Adding to my summertime sadness is definitely the shorter nights. When November came around with its melting temperatures and longer days, I struggled to find my rhythm at night. Typically I could do some light stretching or yoga. Have a lekker shower, do my skincare and enjoy a cup of tea in bed.

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Now, you lay your head on the pillow, and before you know it—BOOM—the sun is up, and it’s time to wake up again. Maybe the shorter nights wouldn’t bother me so much if they weren’t unbearably hot too! It’s bad enough being uncomfortable and miserable in an overheated body all day, but then you get to enjoy the same misery all night long!

*sigh*…

If you are not convinced that my hate for Summer is justified, please let me know in the comments. I am more than prepared to defend my case🥲. In the meantime, I will reluctantly spend the rest of this season as your favourite antisocial friend—the one who can only manage to leave the house for work and the occasional obligatory trip to the mall for sunscreen and baby powder.

Please stay hydrated out there, keep cool and calm 🤟(unlike me in this post 🥸)

Z