What Summer Was — and What August Doesn’t Want You to Forget

Have you ever noticed how, when summer begins to wind down, your mind begins to go to that place of what it wasn’t. The trip that didn’t happen, or the plans that feel apart, the long days that felt too short or the missed opportunities you thought you’d grab. It’s so easy to get caught in that loop or mind trap of what wasn’t — replaying what summer “should have been” instead of remembering what it actually was.

The truth is, expectations cheat us out of presence. They steal us away from the small, often-overlooked details that actually make a season beautiful. August has a way of reminding us that life isn’t about the grand, perfectly orchestrated moments — it’s about what unfolded when we weren’t controlling it. And that’s the hidden danger of expectation — it quietly robs us of our ability to be intentionally present, to fully see and appreciate what’s right in front of us.

My Summer — Differently Full

For me, this summer was slightly different than past summers. I had some new shared experiences with my husband —finding coffee shops with good cakes, catching a few airshows we had never seen before, planning and enjoying multiple picnics, and went to a few local events to support veterans. We built new friendships, strengthened old ones, and I watched my coaching business begin to blossom. There were milestones and surprises too that we got to share in — including a surprise 50th birthday party and a wedding.

In reflection, I appreciate the summer that actually unfolded: the unexpected joys, the ordinary moments, the laughter, the warmth, and the little pieces of magic hidden in plain sight. If I had focused only on what didn’t happen or take place, like our 2 week trip to Israel back in June, I might have overlooked how full this summer really was. It wasn’t what I expected or anticipated— but it sure was something I appreciated entirely.

This is the paradox that August quietly teaches us: Change is not about clinging to what we imagined, but about opening ourselves to what actually arrives.

Expectation vs. Appreciation

This is where the transformative mind shift happens. When we can move away from expectation — the rigid picture of what we thought “should be” — and into appreciation, where we can unlock a different kind of willful energy.

  • Expectation narrows: It points to one outcome and everything else feels like failure. It can ruin an experience that might have been great, simply because it didn’t match the imagery in your mind. A dinner out, a vacation, even a simple summer evening — all can feel “not enough” if expectation is steering the way.

  • Appreciation expands: It softens the sharp edges of disappointment and opens space to notice what is working. It reveals what is already good, already nourishing, already meaningful — even if it wasn’t in the plan.

Nature teaches us this constantly. Summer doesn’t resist the turn toward autumn. The flowers don’t cling to their blooms, and the trees don’t negotiate when it’s time to let go. The seasons change in flow, without expectation — and yet we are reminded once again that there is beauty in every stage.

Reframing Exercise

Try this simple shift when you feel caught in expectation:

  • Write down one thing you feel disappointed about or thought should have been different this summer.

  • Then ask yourself: What did happen in its place? What gift or lesson showed up instead?

  • Finally, reframe it into appreciation. Example: “I didn’t get to travel abroad, but I discovered new connections and joy close to home.”

This is a tool you can carry into autumn as well. Every time life doesn’t unfold the way you imagined, look for the hidden layer of appreciation waiting to be named. This simple shift is how we trade expectation for appreciation.

The August Assessments

Let’s explore where expectations might be holding you back and how aligned you feel with this moment of transition.

1. Release Assessment — What’s Ready to Go

  • What expectations or “shoulds” have weighed on you this summer?

  • Which ones are ready to be released?

  • How can you honor what they taught you before letting them go?

2. Seasonal Sync Check — Flowing with Nature’s Rhythm

  • Do you feel aligned with the natural slowing down that August brings?

  • Where in your life are you still pushing against the flow?

  • How can you soften and move with the season instead of against it?

3. Reflective Prompts — Preparing for the Transition Ahead

  • What surprised you most about this summer?

  • Where did appreciation show up when expectation fell away?

  • What do you want to carry with you into autumn, and what do you want to leave behind?

Why August Energy Matters

August is a holy month of transition. It teaches us to let go, to shift without resistance, and to notice the magic that only arrives when we release control. When we reframe our expectations into appreciation, we uncover a part of ourselves draped in grace — the version of us that trusts, adapts, and embraces change with curiosity.

And maybe that’s the real gift of August: a reminder that change, even when it startles us, can be both powerful and beautiful in its own blaze. So, as summer slips into memory, ask yourself: What was? And even more importantly — what doesn’t August want me to forget?

Marcie Reznik2 Comments