With the return of the sun, everyone seems to thrive outdoors… except you. A strange guilt sets in when you choose to stay home. This phenomenon has a name: “solar guilt”, a feeling amplified by social networks and linked to FOMO, this fear of missing out. Explanations.
“Solar guilt”: when the sun becomes a social pressure
You finally have a day off, but instead of going out to enjoy the nice weather, you prefer to stay at home. However, Instagram stories and discussions between friends make you doubt: “Why am I not out there like everyone else?“. This diffuse regret has a name, solar guilt, a term invented by the American psychologist Nadia Teymoorian.
According to her, this feeling comes from seeing others benefit while you remain cooped up. Social media amplifies this phenomenon, giving us the illusion that everyone is having a perfect day outdoors, except us.
A phenomenon closely linked to FOMO
This feeling is a variation of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). The idea that others are having fun while we remain passive can lead to feelings of frustration or discomfort.
Why is it so strong in spring and summer?
- The weather becomes a factor of social pressure: everyone is expected to enjoy the good weather;
- Social media posts reinforce the idea that staying at home is a “waste”;
- Our culture values outdoor energy and activity, creating guilt if we prefer the calm of a day indoors.
But good news: it’s perfectly normal to not always want to go out, and there’s nothing alarming about this feeling. Listening to yourself remains the key.
Spring fatigue: a biological explanation
Beyond social pressure, there is a scientific explanation for this feeling of heaviness and lack of energy when the sunny days return.
Why do we feel tired in spring?
- In winter, our bodies produce more melatonin, the sleep hormone;
- When spring arrives, exposure to the sun suddenly increases the secretion of serotonin, the feel-good hormone.
Our body takes time to adapt: we may therefore feel unusual fatigue, or even slight depression. This adjustment period is temporary, but if fatigue and sadness persist, a consultation with a specialist may be helpful.
Listen to yourself, without feeling guilty
The sun is not an injunction! If you’re feeling that sunshine guilt, remember that taking time for yourself is essential. Going out under duress will not bring you any additional well-being. Above all, your pace is up to you: if you want to stay at home, that is also a legitimate choice.
Spring is here, but walks in the forest, sunny terraces and picnics will still exist in a few weeks. You will enjoy them when you really want them.