Let’s be real: summer is supposed to be the vibe. Sunshine, iced coffees, cute outfits, beach days. But somewhere between hot girl walks and poolside selfies, it can start to feel like you’re not doing enough. Or worse – like you’re not enough. Sound familiar?
With the longer days and unexpected sunny days, Summer is right around the corner. And with that we welcome the sparkly, sweaty season of comparison culture.
So… Why Does It Hit So Hard in Summer?
Because everyone’s doing the most – and posting all of it. Think about it:
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Everyone’s on holidays, flexing sunsets and pool floats
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Every influencer is in “vacay mode” 24/7
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Every scroll feels like “look at my perfect life” 😬
And while you’re just trying to survive, it’s easy to feel behind.
But here’s a gentle reminder: Instagram is not real life. It’s the highlight reel. People post their best bits – sun-kissed, filtered, cropped to perfection. You don’t see the sunburns, the awkward moments, or the five failed attempts at that cute TikTok dance. You’re not behind. You’re just offline living your actual life. And that’s kinda iconic, actually.
How to Stop the Summer Comparison Spiral
Amongst the rest of your summer prep in the next few weeks, let’s turn down the noise and focus on you. Here’s how:
💧 Hydrate your soul (and your skin)
Log off for a bit. Seriously. Give yourself a scroll break. You’re not missing anything, we promise.
🧢 Curate your feed
If someone’s posts always make you feel meh, mute them. Protect your peace. Your mental health > their beach pics.
🌸 Romanticise your own summer
Make your iced coffee fancy. Take sunset pics even if it’s just from your bedroom window. Dance in the rain. Your summer matters, even if it’s not “aesthetic.”
💬 Talk about it
Everyone feels this stuff. You’re not alone. Chat to your mates about it. Comparison loses its power when you say it out loud.
🎧 Put yourself in main character mode
Make a playlist. Wear an outfit that makes you feel good. Walk like you’re in a movie. You don’t need to be anyone else, you’re already doing great.
Summer isn’t a competition. You don’t need a fancy trip or a million likes to make it count. Show up as yourself, have fun, and remember: the best memories usually don’t make it to the feed.
🌞✨ Now go slay your summer, your way.
