It will always be sad when summer ends. It is the beginning of the end of bright days, warm evenings, and that carefree, easygoing attitude that turns the world into a film about coming of age. The true end of the season is September 22, but everyone on TikTok appears to agree that the gloomy, dreary sentiments begin on August 1. May, June, and July are full of summer vibes, but as August arrives, things start to shift. All of a sudden, the leaves appear desolate and burned rather than lush and green, the light appears gloomy and yellow instead of clear and cheerful, and the intense heat and humidity will make you doubt everything in your life.

The August Blues

Artist @noellemartiinez stated, “Ever since I was little August has always had the worst vibes. School starts, post-vacation depression hits, you’re registering for classes, the sun starts disappearing, and you realize summer is over.” It is obvious that many people would experience strange feelings in August for all of these reasons, but researchers claim there’s more to the story than that.

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The Psychological Impact of The End of Summer Break

The month has a “Sunday Scary” vibe, according to Carly Harris, LMFT, a therapist and director of Newport Healthcare’s young adult family program. According to her statement to Bustle, “August can be seen as the ‘Sunday night’ of the year when people feel the looming pressure of returning to routine, work, or school.” August can elicit similar feelings on a larger scale, as it signals the end of a period of relaxation and freedom, just as many people experience a sense of dread or anxiety on Sunday evenings. According to Harris, even if you haven’t attended school in a long time, the holiday season can still elicit strong feelings, almost like you’re returning to the classroom.

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Change in Lighting

You may not be completely aware of it, but there is another change in the light that can seriously mess with your head. The days start to get visibly shorter in August, which may have an impact on our circadian rhythms or the body’s internal clock, according to her. Every day grows shorter as the weeks go towards autumn, providing you with less light each evening. “[That] can lead to changes in mood and energy levels, similar to what some people experience with the onset of fall or winter or seasonal depression,” explains Harris.