Well, it's that time again, when the sounds of summer fade into the background of yet another school year. The memories of all the fun experiences you had with friends and family fill your heart and brain with joy. Suddenly, just as you adjust to this leisurely summer schedule, you are blindsided with yet another change. You notice a feeling in the pit of your stomach or chest as another transition arrives. The time to let go of the summer and step into a new school year can commonly be a rough transition for both parents and students. Let’s explore the transition from summer to fall within the context of the stages of grief developed by Swiss American psychiatrist Elisabeth Kubler Ross.
Denial: Wait, summer is over? I don’t believe it. I can’t believe it. I won’t believe it.
Anger: Why?! What?! Nooooooooo!!
Bargaining: Maybe if I extend my vacation, I can also extend summer?
Depression: Tears.
Acceptance: sighs and tears.
Finding Meaning: Perhaps the loss of summer is a reminder that I need to do a better job of balancing my work life schedule.
Dr. David Kessler developed the sixth stage of grief, finding meaning. The renowned grief therapist worked closely with Kubler-Ross. He coined the concept of meaning when he experienced the untimely death of his son. He felt that in order to accept change or loss in your life you must find your own meaning to it. He believed his experience could not be understood fully through acceptance alone. He felt that finding meaning in the experience was necessary to process grief. He called this process post traumatic growth, finding meaning in adversity.
As we enter the new school year, take a moment to find meaning in the transition from summer to fall. Instead of focusing on the back to school blues, find solace in the fun summer moments you experienced and explore new ways to keep that energy in your life as a reminder to balance both summer and fall in your life. What will you find meaningful this upcoming school year? I suppose when you really think about it, the possibilities are endless.