Comments on: How To Stay Soft During Fast-Paced Seasons

By: Anna Ertz

Anna Ertz — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 13:09:54 +0000

Summer has always been a season of Hope. Late nights and days of endless possibilities.
The Summer of 2014 changed my view of what a Summer of Hope would mean. My son Jackson was diagnosed with cancer on June 26 and his journey would only last 47 days before he passed away on August 11.
That Summer was spent hoping and praying for 1 more day with him.
The years have past. Life moves on. My other kids are growing and still needing that Summer full of late night and endless possibilities during the day
I have had to learn that it is okay to be quiet, to not have late nights for myself. I have learned that providing fun for my kids all the time is not something I can do and that is okay.
I am soft. I am worn. I am a mother navigating hope with survival in these Summer months.

By: Anonymous User

Anonymous User — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 11:52:10 +0000

I am bookmarking this for my usual busy season of the fall. It’s a good reminder to find my own space in the overwhelming activities and new beginnings in the fall season – school, work, new evening activities and shuffling. While my summer is usually slow which I love, I feel the tension and anticipation of what’s to come in the nearing weeks. Thanks for the reminder.

By: LK

LK — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 13:32:43 +0000

These are great reminders. Add on anxiety on top of everything…I worry that I’m not giving my kids enough fun experiences, that everything is going by so fast I’m wasting their childhood, how are we going to fit in everyone we want to see…I’m going to try a “do my best” approach and focus on connection instead of constant activity!

By: Anonymous User

Anonymous User — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 13:10:44 +0000

I appreciate this topic so much. As a person who has become more introspective over time, I have learned that I am a soft (and sensitive) person who becomes overwhelmed with summertime “expectations”. They aren’t necessarily my expectations, but I sense the wider, societal expectation for “so much fun” in the summer. I am introverted and while I embrace that part of my personality, there is sometimes the sense that I am missing out on the fun. It’s a hard balance to honor my personality traits against society’s portrayal of summer. I am pushing myself to get out and do some summer activities, but I am keeping them simple: going out for an ice cream once a week, going for daily walks by the lake, going to some summer music and theater events. But the truth is, I am also daydreaming about the upcoming fall and winter months when I can wear my cozy clothes and read by the fire with my dog watching the snow fall. The hot weather and blasting doesn’t help either… I honestly just do not understand the appeal, much like I assume how some people cannot understand liking cold winters!

By: Abigail

Abigail — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 13:10:29 +0000

Thank you for this article! I have chronic depression and anxiety, and unlike most other people I know, I suffer from it the worst in the summer months. The combination of expectations (both put upon myself and by other people) to engage in endless activities, plus the heat and the financial stress, can very easily trigger my usually well controlled symptoms. I appreciate the tips offered by Stephanie and the validation that it is okay to say “no” to plans and enjoy the summer in a way that feels right for me.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 12:47:28 +0000

I’ve never understood myself. Summer is my favorite season, by far, but I now can identify as soft! I spend much of my summer feeling guilty- wake up earlier, stay up later, read, visit, exercise, projects out the wahzoo.

Thank you for this. Maybe there’s nothing wrong with me after all 🩷