A Love Letter to Summer, and a Tearful Goodbye

Summer season has ended, but many of the memories, good and bad alike, will stay with me forever.

Although i love fall, something I attribute to mushrooms, fallen leaves, comfy clothes, and soup, it’s still a tearful goodbye for me.

In summer, life just works kinda differently. Like, entirely. While I spend much of the year comfortably couching at my PC, often staying indoors for days at a time, summer kind of forces you to step outside, engage with the world, and do things. Especially this year, our flat heated up so much that staying inside became a nightmarish experience I couldn’t stomach for longer stretches. So off to the lake it was, often until late in the evening. Then, once things had cooled down, you’d simply wander through the city on your way home, spontaneously picking a spot for dinner along the way and strolling far past sunset underneath bright stars.

On days when I exercised, the heat felt most brutal. Even though I got up as early as 6 a.m. some days, by the time I arrived at my usual spots, I would already have broken a sweat. That’s when I could really, really feel what it’s like to own and live in a body. Something uncomfortable, but often also kind of good.

Combining outfits became really difficult. Most days, it was a battle of What’s the least amount of clothing I can wear, and how can I reduce overstimulation to a minimum? It was still fun, though, finding new and creative ways to dress for the heat.

I also gained a tremendous amount of confidence from being forced to show so much of myself every day. I just get comfortable with anything I see daily. In summer, tan skin also sorta feels like cheating. I don’t wear makeup in the heat, but my complexion is naturally a little on the tanned side, and I feel more comfortable with my face in summertime.

I’m also amazed by all the events and happenings during summer. There’s just so much going on! A festival here, a concert there, and like ten quazillion other little things in between. I think I could enjoy summer even more if I were a little more extroverted, but I pushed myself a lot this year and made so many phenomenal memories, collecting those precious core memories left and right.

The part of summer I found roughest this year was the insane drought that stretched on for what felt like the entire season. I’ve never seen my country like this in my life. Just going outside to see brown grass, dry leaves, and a steel-blue sky with an unforgiving sun god of wrath burning down on everything got a little too much now and then.

It definitely motivated me to become more politically active and do better when it comes to sustainability, focusing on consumption strategies like reuse, repurpose, and reduce. But it also took a toll on my mental health. Probably one reason I’m feeling especially welcoming toward the upcoming autumn season.

One more thing about summer that I only start to miss once it’s properly gone is all the delicious fruit and vegetables. Watermelons in particular hit different this year. I couldn’t even tell you how much I enjoy nibbling on fruit and veggies that have grown in someone’s garden or that I’ve been able to forage myself. Life just feels so abundant and laden with possibilities in summertime, when all the berries and fruit ripen and you can use them freely in whatever it is you’re making.

Scrolling through my Notes app, I also found something that makes this goodbye a little bittersweet. I found a list, or more of a love letter, to summer that I compiled in the dead of winter last year. To honour the past season and give it a proper send-off, I’d really like to share it here.

A Love Letter to Summer

The colour of golden-hour green leaves, a sweeping glance across our sloping countryside, the feeling of those sunbeams on my skin.

Picking strawberries with my own hands, enough to last for months to come, making unsweetened Greek yoghurt ice cream with them.

People always sitting outdoors. Cafés, restaurants, plazas, ice cream shops.

Putting my feet on frozen water bottles to cool down at my PC, the cats joining in on the refreshment.

Walking to the library in cute outfits. Walking to the city. Walking everywhere, always.

Jumping into the creek after a workout with friends.

A sea of colours: flowers and clothes, flyers and banners swaying in the wind.

Having a cold drink with the besties, getting really drunk and silly, telling secrets.

All the people outside in the evening, watching the sun set late.

Taking the time to walk down to the river and seeing everyone enjoying summer freely.

Fireflies in the bushes at night, everywhere in the woods. Little miracles.

Taking off your shoes to feel warm stone under your soles.

Enjoying a meteor shower late at night with only a light blanket and good company.

Bonfire afternoons.

Bare feet on hot asphalt. First raindrops on hot asphalt.

Having a mixed fruit bowl where every single fruit is juicy and sweet. Flavours!

Walking around the flat in a T-shirt and panties.

Plump, moisturised skin, glowing from sunscreen and dew.

Wandering through a garden full of fruit and harvest, picking a berry here or there.

A proper hour-long lake swim from end to end. The feeling of never being cold again, not even in the water.

Dresses. Shorts. Not a single layer.

Welcoming rain as a reprieve.

The smell of dry grass, hot bricks, and something pinewoodsy.

An endless list of possible events to attend or skip. Countless opportunities to socialise, with the option to stay in regardless.

Smelling the roses.