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The Myth of the Fresh Start: When August Feels Heavy Instead
- Empathy Therapy
- Aug 4
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 23
August is often framed as a reset, a time to gear up, refocus, and launch into new routines. But for many people, the promise of a “fresh start” feels more like pressure than possibility.
You may feel emotionally stuck, even as the calendar pushes forward. Expectations are rising. Energy is not. The result? A quiet tension between what you are supposed to feel and how you actually feel.
Why August Can Feel Emotionally Heavy
Culturally, August marks the end of freedom and the return of structure. But structure is not always comforting, especially for those managing stress, identity transitions, or burnout. The push to perform, organize, or “get it together” can bring up anxiety or grief.
For some, it highlights what has been avoided all summer. For others, it magnifies the weight of everything they are already carrying.
You Do Not Have to Start Fresh Alone
At Empathy Therapy, we understand that “starting fresh” sometimes begins with admitting you are overwhelmed. You do not need to perform readiness. You do not need to wait until fall.
Whether you are navigating mental exhaustion, mood shifts, or emotional stagnation, help is available now through fully online, flexible, and relational care.
Integrated Care, Personalized Support
Dr. Mark Chofla offers psychiatric and therapeutic care from a single provider. This allows treatment to adapt as your life shifts. No waiting rooms. No insurance barriers. Just consistent support from someone who understands the whole picture.
As one client reflected on Healthgrades:
“Dr. Chofla and his entire office epitomize excellence. Parent trying to help my adult child, has been frustrating at Kaiser, and other larger institutions. Other single doctor practices never get back to you. It’s infuriating. Call Dr. Chofla and they get back to you. Ask them a question and they explain. My child seems to be getting better. I for one feel more confidence than ever on this expedition to seek actual health help.”
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