The kids are back in school. Friday hours are ending. Deadlines are looming. Stores are ready for Halloween — still two months away. And people are asking, “Where did the #summer go?”
Granted, this happens every year, but something about 2026 seems to have more people feeling shortchanged by the #seasons. Is it inflation and higher prices? The increasingly unpredictable weather? The social media time-suck? The relentless news cycle? Nobody knows for sure.
If you’re among the many who feel that summer slipped away too soon, take advantage of this last “official” week of the summer season. Over the long Labor Day weekend, unplug from the stress, shake things up and enjoy yourself.
One way to do this is to treat the #weekend like a #vacation rather than just three days of non-work time, says Self. Tweak your schedule to make the weekend feel more leisurely. “That might look like turning off your alarm, lingering in bed or savoring your favorite breakfast.”
Seek out awe-inspiring activities, the story adds, by finding a scenic hiking trail, watching the sunrise or going to a museum. Put a special, optional event on your schedule so you don’t skip it in favor of work or chores — whether that means a coffee date, a class or a shopping spree.
Meet the weekend head-on by getting enough sleep, says LifeHack. Try to get up at the same time you would on weekdays, but don’t be afraid to take a nap to reduce “negative emotions, increase alertness and enhance your abilities to learn.”
Next, truly unplug. While social media feeds can seem interesting and even educational, mindless scrolling saps #time and #energy. Leave that phone in another room and read an old-fashioned book to let your imagination wander.
Something that might seem like a chore can enhance #relaxation and improve your mood: #Decluttering. #Organize some paperwork; #clean the refrigerator; weed out your #wardrobe. And #donate any lightly used clothing and household items to ClothingDonations.org.
There’s only so much summer to go around. Make the most of your long weekend and what’s left of the season!