The end of summer is the worst for everybody. Who would want to give up responsibility-free days spent on the beach for exams and community showers? Starting the school year is even worse for anyone with a summer romance. Not only do you have to say goodbye to your tan lines, pool parties, and frozen cocktails, but also that hot guy that you never quite DTR’d with but spent every night of the past three months next to. Even though in the back of your mind you knew that there was an expiration date on that vacation fling or cute coworker, it’s hard to say goodbye. Now, put One Direction’s song “Summer Love” on repeat and read on to learn how to get over your summer fling.
1. Accept that it’s over.
If convenience brought you together, distance will probably tear you apart. The chances of your vacation fling lasting when you two are hours away from each other at school are slim to none. The sooner you accept that it’s not going to turn into a long term relationship, the better.
2. Recognize your summer boy might not be a perfect match.
I know he seemed like the perfect guy, but he probably isn’t. Sparks can fly when you spend all your time flirting on the beach and kissing while you watch the sunset, but it was probably more hormones than your hottie. More sunlight means more melatonin and serotonin, which are chemicals in your brain that make you happy, so summer can get those butterflies in your stomach going pretty easily. There’s a good chance you two wouldn’t get along as well when you’re as juggling homework, friends, and other responsibilities.
3. Stay busy.
All you want to do is scroll through Facebook pictures of the best summer of your life, but that’s not the healthiest thing to do right now. Throw yourself into getting together with friends, your school work, a part-time job, or whatever else you can do to keep your fingers from the temptation to text him.
4. Swipe away.
It may feel like he was the only guy in the world for you, but that’s simply not true. It sounds crazy, but download Tinder and distract yourself. You don’t have to go on dates – you don’t even have to talk to anyone if you don’t want to. But seeing that there are smart, cool, hot, interesting guys still out there will make it easier to move on from your summer boy.
5. Think about the positives.
You probably want to turn your sadness into anger by ranting about how he would get too drunk at parties or remembering how he only ever wore three shirts, ever. Don’t. Just because it didn’t work out doesn’t make him a horrible person that you should hate for the rest of your life. It was summer, and you were all about living in the moment. Nothing wrong with that! You can still remember waking up early to watch the sunrise together or how he would swing by your work just to drop off a smoothie, just don’t get hung up on him. Besides, there are probably lots of guys at school you should be paying attention to instead.
