Why Summer Feels So Unstructured — and What to Do About It

By July, summer can start to feel… off.

The initial excitement has worn off. The big vacations are done (or still weeks away). Kids are home more. Routines are loose. Days start to blur. And suddenly, you’re wondering why everyone’s a little more irritable, unmotivated, or emotionally fried.

It’s not just you.

Unstructured time — while necessary and even healthy — can also create stress. Our brains actually crave rhythm. And when structure disappears, so does the sense of emotional grounding that comes with it.

The Myth of “Summer Should Feel Relaxing”

We’re sold on the idea that summer is about rest. And yes, slower schedules can be healing. But for many families, summer means more juggling, not less. Parents are still working. Kids are navigating long days without direction. Teenagers might fall into irregular sleep, screen time spirals, and social withdrawal.

Without routines, even the smallest decisions — what to eat, when to shower, how to fill the day — can start to feel like mental clutter.

What Happens When the Structure Drops

Here’s what we often see when routines vanish:

• Increased irritability or emotional dysregulation (especially in kids & teens)

• Procrastination and “shutdown mode” in both teens and adults

• Feelings of guilt or failure for not “making the most” of summer

• Higher anxiety in children who thrive with predictability

• Parental burnout from feeling like the emotional manager of everyone’s mood

How to Reset — Without Overcorrecting

You don’t need to go full boot camp. A reset doesn’t have to mean strict schedules, color-coded planners, or waking up at 6 a.m.

Here’s what can help:

✅ Anchor the day with 2–3 simple touchpoints. (Ex: Wake-up window, shared lunch, screen-free hour before bed.)

✅ Build in just enough structure. Instead of scheduling every hour, create general time blocks: morning routine, creative time, movement, chores, and downtime.

✅ Let some expectations go. If you’re burned out, your kids are likely feeling it too. Reset together instead of forcing order from above.

✅ Use the slump as feedback, not failure. Your brain is telling you it’s time for a shift, not that you’ve done anything wrong.

At SoMi Counseling, we work with families, teens, and adults navigating the messy middle of summer — whether it’s anxiety, structure, motivation, or mental exhaustion.

Sometimes the healthiest thing you can do isn’t a complete overhaul. It’s a small, steady shift in the right direction.

→ Schedule a session or learn more about our Executive Functioning Program