Labor Day has always been bittersweet for me. Here in New York, it’s the unofficial end of summer—the beach days, the poolside laughs, the sunshine, and those warm nights that never seem to last long enough. When my kids were little, this time of year crushed me. I loved having them home, running in and out of the house with wet bathing suits, sticky popsicles, and endless energy. Sending them back to school always left me feeling a little hollow inside.
Now, my kids are grown—29 and 31—and yet, every Labor Day still feels heavy. The routine of summer slipping away hits me hard, year after year. And this year, the weight feels even greater.
Last week, I had to say goodbye to my cat—my last cat after more than 20 years of having them by my side. That small morning ritual of feeding, chatting with, and cleaning up after my sweet finicky, Misty, is suddenly gone. Well- I knew it was coming. She was 18 but still. My iced coffee feels lonelier now without those quiet meows or the gentle thump of paws. It’s incredible how such a big part of your everyday life can leave such a huge emptiness when it’s no longer there. So far I am 3 for e coming down to the kitchen and expecting to see her.
So here I am, facing my usual end-of-summer sadness layered with the grief of losing a beloved pet. And I can’t help but wonder—do you feel it too? Does the change of seasons bring you down? Do certain times of year bring a wave of memories or loss?
For me, art has always been the one steady light in these darker seasons. Picking up a paintbrush, playing with paper scraps, or starting a new creative project doesn’t erase the sadness, but it helps me move through it. Just like it has helped me grieve loss of muy sister. The Creativity gives me a place to put my feelings, a way to honor the memories, and a reminder that joy can be found again—even in small brushstrokes or bits of color on a page. Creating quiets the noise and chatter in my head.
If you’ve ever felt these seasonal blues, or faced a tough goodbye like I have, I want you to know you’re not alone. And I encourage you—try creating something today. It doesn’t have to be perfect, it doesn’t even have to be pretty. Just let your heart spill out through your hands. Art has this quiet way of mending the cracks. Sometimes it is temporary but it always helps.
Here’s to finding comfort, peace, and a little joy—even as summer slips away.
-teresa XO
PS. Need to some inspiration? You can find it on my Youtube Channel here:
