The Daily Dot
Students and teachers agree: The "August scaries" are painfully real
"I'm just so panicky."
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"August Scaries" Go Viral: Why the End of Summer Sparks Widespread Anxiety
As August draws to a close, a distinct feeling of apprehension, dubbed the "August Scaries," appears to be a growing sentiment across social media platforms. A recent video by user LMONEYY, uploaded on August 10, 2025, exemplifies this trend, showing a young woman applying makeup while expressing her dread for the end of summer. Set to the melancholic strains of Bruce Springsteen's "I'm on Fire," the video has garnered significant attention, accumulating over 158,000 views and 31,900 likes, highlighting its broad relatability. The "August Scaries" describe the anxiety and sadness many experience as the carefree summer months give way to the routines of fall and winter. Online comments on LMONEYY's video underscore this collective feeling. One user remarked, "Because summers almost done??? This year is flying!" while another succinctly put it, "August is like the Sunday of summer." The sentiment extends beyond mere nostalgia, with some expressing deeper concerns: "Same because I know Winter Sadness is coming soon. Dark mornings and nights feel never ending." This phenomenon reflects a broader societal pattern of seasonal affective responses, amplified and shared through digital communities. Experts suggest such feelings can be a mild form of seasonal adjustment, as individuals anticipate shifts in weather, daylight hours, and daily schedules. The widespread engagement with content like LMONEYY's video indicates a collective need for acknowledgment and shared experience in navigating these transitional emotional states.
