The Emotional Hangover of Summer Weekends — and Why Even the Best Time with Loved Ones Can Leave You Drained

Oh, summer. The season of highs, lows, and everything in between. It’s a time for traveling, catching up with friends and family, soaking in the outdoors, and unplugging. On paper, it sounds like a dream. And yes, sometimes it is. But the highs often come with equally intense lows. You step out of your routine, stay in other people’s spaces, and take on the moods and energy of those around you. If you’re not paying attention to how it impacts you, it can leave you feeling completely burnt out.

I hear this all the time from friends, from clients, and honestly, from myself. “It was such a special weekend… but I am so drained.” So how do you hold both at once? How do you love your people deeply, soak in meaningful time together, and still admit that you feel burnt out afterward?

The reality is, being around people who know you so well, and who you know just as well, makes it hard not to take on their stuff. Their energy, their worries, and their quirks seem to blend with your own. The challenges you face trying to stay present are likely the same ones they face too. And whether you realize it or not, you’re probably draining them a little as well.

The answer isn’t to avoid it but to make space for all of it. Love your people fiercely, including their flaws. Recognize how their shortcomings often overlap with your own and manage your expectations accordingly. Sometimes, shifting your mindset from “this is a relaxing vacation” to “this is meaningful time with people I care about” can soften the emotional hangover.

Don’t judge yourself for the irritations or negative feelings that show up. You’re human. And when you stop resisting those feelings and simply name them, they usually move through you much faster. It also helps to know your formula. What do you need to feel grounded? Maybe it’s a morning walk, a few moments alone, or sticking to a routine that feels like yours. Claim those things without guilt. And if you’re worried about how others will react, get honest with them about why those practices help you show up better.

The truth is, intimacy often comes with a cost. Real connection asks you to tolerate some discomfort and to let people into your world, even when it feels messy or inconvenient. You can’t control every interaction or curate every moment to feel exactly how you want it to. Yet on the other side of that discomfort is something better: genuine connection. The chance to be known and loved for your true self is almost always worth the effort it takes to get there.

So take the good with the bad. Let the feelings come up. Manage your expectations, and try to enjoy the moments for what they are. You give up a little comfort and control, and sometimes you leave feeling more drained than you expected. But what you get in return is real friendship, family, and the kind of memories that make life meaningful. It’s rarely easy, but it’s almost always worth it.