June: Tuning Out the Summer Noise
As June arrives and summer begins to unfold, we’re invited into longer days, warmer weather, and what’s often portrayed as a season of joy, carefree fun, and adventure. But beneath the sunny surface, summer can carry a quieter, more complicated pressure — to look a certain way, to spend money on holidays, to perform a version of happiness that may not reflect how we truly feel inside.
Social media feeds are filled with sun-drenched beaches, toned bodies, and curated smiles. Phrases like “bikini body ready” or posts showing off exotic destinations can stir up a sense of not good enough — as though we’ve somehow fallen short of an ideal that never quite belonged to us in the first place.
Existential philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre spoke of bad faith — the denial of our own freedom and authenticity by living according to the expectations of others, living someone else’s version of ideal living. When we internalise summer's cultural script and act in ways that don’t align with how we truly feel, we can end up performing a ‘false self’ — looking fine on the outside while quietly struggling inside. In parts therapy, this can be understood as certain internal parts taking over: perhaps the critic who shames our body, the perfectionist who fears missing out, or the people-pleaser who says yes when we long to say no. These parts can be loud, persuasive, and deeply shaped by past experiences and wider societal norms.
But there is also a Self within us — calm, compassionate, and quietly present — who knows what we genuinely want and need. This Self may long for a different kind of summer: one that isn’t about appearance, performance, or spending, but about rest, connection, nature, and presence. But still amazing, fun and fulfilling!
So, what might it mean to tune out the noise this June? To notice the inner voices pulling us toward comparison or shame, and gently ask: whose voice is this? What does my true Self want right now?
There is no ‘right’ way to do summer. There is only your way. And if you find that the pressure is feeling too much, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Reaching out for support is not a sign of weakness, but of courage — a step toward reconnecting with the parts of you that are longing to feel seen, heard, and accepted.