End of Summer Signals

How do you know when summer ends? Is it after Labor Day? At the September equinox? When your football team plays its first game? Or the first day back to school?

Well, I think it’s pretty clear that for me right now, the end of summer means saying, “See ya later,” to Columbus and heading back to Chicago. And that’s today! It seems like six weeks, which I thought might pass niiiice and slowly, pretty much flew by.

That said, there have been signs of the end of summer for a while. It didn’t come crashing to a halt, but rather came marked by little everyday occurrences that I’ve absolutely relished. I love summer for the slower pace of life and the time back at home, but I like fall for plenty of reasons, too. From food to football to getting back into a routine, fall has some good things going for it. So what are some signs of the end of summer for me?

the start of football season

Fall Saturdays in Columbus mean OSU football. You know I love it. It means family and friends and good food. I got to spend the first game of the season hanging out with my grandparents and eating BBQ and Peach Berry Crisp. This past week, it stormed in the middle of the game, and my parents and I watched comfortably from the couch eating tacos. Football season is great.

open windows

A few weeks ago, we were able to open the windows in the house without it getting as hot as when we were without air conditioning. We haven’t been able to every day since then, but those days are more and more frequent. And have you been for a drive recently with the windows down? It’s glorious.

getting mani-pedis with my mom

This is a back-to-school tradition for us. We do it occasionally other times, but always before I head back to school. 

I adore the results, but can we talk about pedicures for a second? They’re supposed to be relaxing, right? Honestly, as much as I love having painted toenails and soft feet, pedicures tickle so much that I’m pretty much in pain the whole time. But I like the result. So I do it.

the departure of Panera’s summer salads

The Strawberry Poppyseed Chicken Salad will forever be one of my favorite things. That is all.

the arrival of fall produce

I definitely adore my berries (see above), but I’ve been starting to go to town on the sweet potatoes, figs, and squash lately. And, of course, apples and pumpkin. You, too? You should make this fig & prosciutto salad and follow it with these pumpkin chocolate chip cookies!

crisp, foggy mornings

When it cools down, the field across the street from my house is covered in a layer of low misty fog in the morning. And when you go outside at the right time, the sun bounces off it in all directions and it is stunning.

enjoying my favorite Columbus foods

Lately, I’ve been a little (and sometimes a lot) less Paleo than I started out this summer. And, though I hate to admit it, I’m feeling it. My goal as I head back to school is to get back to a more optimal diet for my stomach issues and get a little better at balancing the non-Paleo foods I love with the Paleo things I love. That said, my goal for the last few weeks of summer was to enjoy it as much as possible and eat some of my favorite hometown things.

On the menu recently: half a pizza (the meatball is mine) and a feta-covered Greek salad from Dewey’s, Chicago dogs and tater tots from Dirty Frank’s, and Jeni’s ice cream.

My stomach might not love me for it, but it was all freaking delicious, so I’ll take it for now. I think I also see a trip to Kilwin’s in the cards for tonight. And then back to normal. No worries.

packing up the car

My room is empty(ish) and the car is full. We’ll leave after lunch today and I get to move back to the apartment tomorrow. Follow along on Instagram (mostly stories) and wish me luck! Happy Tuesday!

From food to football, what really tells you summer is over? #fitfluential #bgbcommunity Share on X

Your turn:

When is the end of summer for you?

What do you take from summer into fall? What do you leave behind? Hopefully, I’ll be taking extra restfulness and relaxation, but I’m planning to leave behind my lazy mornings for the most part. I feel like I get nothing done for the rest of the day if I have slow mornings!