As a new coach, I’ve started to notice a seasonal rhythm to my work—one I hadn’t quite anticipated. Come summer, everything goes quiet. Clients don’t have time for sessions, no one responds to emails, even LinkedIn seems to slow down.
At first, I assumed it was just because my main audience is parents and teachers—people who are very much in tune with the rhythms of the school year. But this summer, I’ve seen a lot of coaches talking about the “summer slump,” and it made me realise it’s not just education-related. It turns out almost everyone likes to take a step back over the summer months.
And honestly, I’ve done the same. I spent a few lovely weeks in Menorca with my family, enjoying some much-needed downtime. While we were there, I learned that children in Spain get 12 weeks off for the summer—and in August, the whole country more or less shuts down, with families heading for the coast and businesses slowing right down. It seems in Mediterranean cultures, a proper pause is not just accepted—it’s expected.
It got me thinking: why don’t we have more of that culture here in the UK? No doubt the lack of extreme heat means it has never been a necessity as it is in Spain. But it also feels like we’ve developed a work culture that doesn’t make much room for real rest. In a time when work, education, and even daily life can feel increasingly pressurised, perhaps we could all benefit from a proper pause.
So rather than worrying about the “summer slump,” I’m choosing to see it as a gift—a natural moment that gives us all a chance to slow down, reset, and recharge. Let’s stop seeing rest as a break from productivity and start seeing it as a vital part of it. As a coach, I know I’ll be better for it when the new term comes around, ready to support families and teachers with fresh energy and focus.
What about you? How are you making time to rest and reset this summer?