The Career Propaganda TSG’s DC Therapists Aren’t Falling For this Summer
Ah, it’s officially summertime. The season of sunshine, rooftop rosé, and Instagram feeds flooded with people summering in Santorini while you’re Googling “is it legal that my apartment building hasn’t turned on the air conditioning yet?” Meanwhile, career propaganda is hitting folks harder than DC’s humidity. Let’s unpack the career propaganda I’m not falling for this summer—with a side of Vitamin D for mental health, and a large iced oat milk latte.
What are the biggest career myths young adults face?
Many young adults fall for summer-specific career myths, including the appearance that everyone else is thriving, that a new job will fix everything, or that nonstop work is the only path to success. These myths can fuel burnout and seasonal depression.
Here are 3 career myths our DC therapists frequently see…
Propaganda Ploy #1: Everyone else is living their life
The comparison trap is one most young adults know well. You’ve heard it once, twice, thousands of times but it never fully sinks in: comparison is the thief of joy. Yet, when someone’s feed consists of one win after another, it can be hard to convince yourself that you’re not somehow missing the mark, or doing something “wrong”.
You may be seeing someone’s constant posts with their work bff, and gradually convince yourself that everyone in your office hates you, or that you have no friends at work or elsewhere. Perhaps, it’s seeing someone’s three-week long excursion and questioning why you’re not earning more at your job to afford a once-in-a-lifetime trip like this. Suddenly your life feels like a doomsday reel titled “Frozen Dinners & Existential Dread.” Cue the summer depression symptoms: comparing your 9-to-9 (DC work hours) grind to someone’s highlight reel of yacht selfies and a charcuterie board of dreams over the bluest water you ever did see.
What summer depression symptoms can show up due to comparison?
Low mood
Restlessness
Poor sleep
Negative self-talk
The anti-prop: Everyone’s professional journeys are different, there’s no one-size fits all career path
Instead of spiraling, try to soak up some Vitamin D (it’s clinically proven to boost your mood!) and redefine what “winning” or “success” means to you. Did you survive a Monday without crying on the Metrol? Gold star! Ate a vegetable that wasn’t pizza sauce? Chef’s kiss. And if you’re battling reverse SAD disorder (yes, summer seasonal depression exists), ditch the guilt. Your career journey isn’t defined by someone else’s metrics of success. Define your own, create mini-goals that are realistic for you, and honor yourself when you hit your target wins.
Propaganda Ploy #2: A new job will fix everything
Ah, the siren song of the instant career pivot. It’s the career equivalent of believing the next apartment, move, or relationship will “save” you. Spoiler: A new job might fix your egregious DC work commute, but it doesn’t guarantee that everything will suddenly change overnight.
You put all of this stake in the hope or optimism of a new job, then the sudden or immediate realization that a new job didn’t instantaneously make everything better. We see this propaganda play out all the time, the idea that a new job or career shift changed everything, and somehow went off without any behind the scenes struggle.
I’m calling this one out as a career changer myself. The choice to go back to graduate school in my twenties after years of working in a corporate job was a terrifying pivot at first. It did not go without many internal struggles, sleepless nights, and endless research trying to figure out how I was going to make it all work. The decision to make a change is a hard one, and the idea that you could instantly start a new job and like the waving of a magic wand everything changes is just that, an illusion!
Anti-prop: The reality is that transitions and change takes time, it takes a heavy dose of courage to decide you want to make a shift to begin with. Start there, start small, and remind yourself that change does not happen overnight.
How to prepare for a career shift:
Research different career options
Explore potential job opportunities
Talk to mentors or career counselors
Explore online career counseling programs
Create a timeline and transition plan
Try to fall in like, not love, with the process, not the outcome. The Sterling Group DC offers career counseling for young adults. If you’re unsure of where to start, book a free 15-minute consultation as our DC therapists are here to help!
Propaganda Ploy #3: Working nonstop is the only route to success
Hustle-culture has really laid some powerful propaganda in the mirage that the neverending grind is the only path to true success. I start by asking clients here, how do YOU define success? More often than not their vision or version of success looks diametrically opposed to how their day-to-day at work unfolds. It may be the client who deeply wants romantic partnership, yet works so much that they never have time to date. Or, the client who reports defining success in terms of the number of lives they positively impact, yet feels like they’re selling their soul number crunching in a cubicle.
Anti-prop: Remember in kindergarten when naps were mandatory? Let’s bring that big-kindergarten energy back. Swap “nonstop hustle” for “strategic couch rotting.” Take a Vitamin D-fueled walk (mental health benefits: proven!), binge whatever show you want without guilt, or just… sit and be. If summer depression has you feeling like a wilted houseplant, our multicultural therapists in DC get it. They’ll help you unpack why “productivity” feels like a cult and coach you to embrace existing as an incredibly valid life choice.
How can you avoid summer burnout?
Prioritize rest and recovery
Schedule intentional downtime (aka strategic couch rotting)
Reconnect with hobbies
Use walks for Vitamin D and mindfulness
The Takeaway: Your career is a personal journey, not a Tik-Tok trend
Falling for career propaganda is easier than getting a parking ticket in DC. These messages can be everywhere, and it takes a critical lens, and perhaps a deeper dive into self to get a better understanding of where you may be falling for some of these impressionable propaganda pieces about career and life. If you’re ready to ghost hustle propaganda and embrace existing unapologetically, The Sterling Group’s multicultural therapists and online career counseling are here to help. Because life’s too short to “summer” in a cubicle.
FAQs: Hot Temps, Cold Truths: Summer Career Myths DC Therapists Want You to Skip
How can I tell if I have summer seasonal depression (SAD in the summer)?
Look for symptoms like irritability, anxiety, low energy, and sleep disturbances. If these persist for weeks, consider speaking with a therapist.
What are some easy summer mental health tips I can try today?
Step outside for sunlight
Reduce screen time
Stay hydrated
Practice DBT or mindfulness exercises.
How can therapy help with career anxiety in the summer?
Therapy offers a safe space to unpack your fears, challenge unrealistic expectations, and develop a sustainable plan for growth. Whether you're navigating burnout, career indecision, or seasonal affective disorder in summer, therapy can help you build clarity and confidence.
Is The Sterling Group currently accepting new clients?
Yes! We offer a free 15-minute consultation to help you find the right therapist. You can book online or call us directly.
About The Author
Katie Jacobi is a licensed professional counselor and Level-1 Trained IFS therapist. She’s passionate about helping young adults to better understand themselves, adapt, heal, and ultimately integrate past experiences into a brighter future. Katie works with both individuals and couples. She’s a self-proclaimed “psych nerd” and is constantly learning new skills, and evidence-based practices to help tailor her approach to the individual or individuals in front of her, being able to meet them where they are at. If you’re interested in working with Katie for Internal Family Systems Therapy or traditional counseling, reach out to TSG for a free 15-minute consultation today!
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The holiday season can stir up a mix of emotions, but with the support of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, you can approach this time of year head-on with greater self-awareness and a sense of calm. At The Sterling Group, we're here to help you navigate the holiday season, create meaningful relationships within yourself, and allow you to enjoy the season to the fullest. You can start your therapy journey by following these simple steps:
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