This Summer Feels Different — Living Gently in a Hotter World

This Summer Feels Different — And It's Not Just the Heat

Does it feel unusually hot this summer?
Honestly, I think I say that every year... but this time, something feels off. It’s not just “hot” anymore—it’s the kind of heat that makes you pause, take a breath, and wonder what’s going on. Just a short walk makes it hard to breathe, and even the shade doesn’t feel as cool as it used to. Nature feels… different.
And I know it’s not just me.
Friends say the same things. Sudden downpours, warm nights that never really cool down, that heavy, sticky air during the day. It’s like the summer we knew is slowly shifting into something else.
Lately, I find myself slowing down more.
I keep cold water nearby, avoid going out during peak heat, and treasure those quiet moments when the sun is lower in the sky. Taking a nap with the curtains drawn halfway, sitting still and listening to the hum of a fan—those little things bring comfort.
But every now and then, a quiet thought surfaces:
Why is it getting this hot?
We’ve all heard the words—climate change, global warming, carbon emissions. They used to sound like distant problems, but now they’re starting to show up in our everyday lives, through weather we can’t ignore.
I’m not here to preach. I’m not even sure what the perfect answer is. But I’m trying to live a little more gently these days. I drink more water, I go easier on myself, I rest when I need to. And I remind myself: I’m not the only one feeling this way. We’re all walking through this heat together.
Climate change feels overwhelming sometimes. But I try not to get stuck in fear. Maybe it starts with simply noticing. Paying attention. Living more slowly, more kindly. Taking care of ourselves, and maybe—when we can—being a little more thoughtful about how we treat this planet we call home.
Some days, it feels like the world is whispering to us:
"Slow down. Be kind. We’re all in this together."
And maybe this summer, that’s enough.

Feeling the heat more than usual? You're not alone. A warm, thoughtful reflection on how to care for ourselves—and the planet—during increasingly hot summers in a changing climate.